Summary
Meet Ife Adekoya, a Student Fellow whose experience at the Center transformed a personal journey into student-focused research that reshaped how she sees her future.
Ife Adekoya arrived at The University of Texas at Austin with one goal: to help others. As a psychology major on the pre-med track with double minors in Forensic Science and American Sign Language (ASL), she envisioned becoming a pediatrician who works with deaf children. Early on, she enrolled in the course Perspectives on Deafness but struggled to access ASL courses due to high demand.
“ASL is one of the most in-demand languages at UT,” she said. “I couldn’t get into the courses, and I didn’t have enough time left to finish the 15 credit hours.”
Despite her motivation, campus capacity made it difficult to continue. Around the same time, friends in STEM encouraged her to look into academic accommodations for herself.
“I’d always wanted to help others,” Ife said, “but I realized maybe I needed help too.”
She navigated the evaluation process independently, covering the cost and paperwork on her own. It was daunting—but it changed everything.
“If I’m trying this hard to be ready to support others, and I still can’t get what I need, what does that say about how hard it is for someone who doesn’t know where to begin?”
That experience led her to the National Disability Center for Student Success and her first research opportunity.
As a Student Fellow, Ife is currently:
- Supporting Dr. Denisa Gándara on a research project examining how different disabilities shape students’ access to and use of accommodations
- Contributing to the research team preparing the Center’s next national survey, which will launch in 2025 and focus on faculty experiences and perspectives related to accessibility
- Preparing to co-present her research findings at the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) Annual Conference in November
From Healthcare to Research
While Ife initially saw herself in medicine, her time at the Center has opened up new possibilities.
“I’ve never done research before,” she explained. “Now, I can’t imagine graduating and being done with it.”
Mentorship played a key role in this shift. When Dr. Gándara introduced her to the McNair Scholars Program, it sparked a new interest in graduate school and long-term research.
“This opportunity helped me realize that I want to keep exploring. I care deeply about this work.”
Building Toward Impact
Before joining the Center, Ife gained experience in nonprofit settings that prioritized access and education. As a summer intern with Project Transformation, she helped children improve their reading skills while tracking data and coordinating lesson plans. At the Hanger Foundation, she worked on grant writing and created resource toolkits for people using prosthetics.
These roles strengthened her commitment to helping people navigate systems with more support and clarity.
“We need to take our time and invest in the work we do,” she said. “That’s how you create lasting outcomes.”
Her work at the Center continues that effort, now through data-informed strategies that influence how postsecondary institutions support disabled students.
“Even if our projects don’t launch from the same place, they’re all connected,” she noted. “It’s exciting to see how it comes together.”
A Team That Feels Like One
Ife describes the Student Fellows team as a welcoming, collaborative space.
“It’s always positive,” she said. “Even if we don’t talk every day, everyone is open to questions and ideas.” That environment has helped her grow quickly as a new researcher.
She hopes to expand her contributions in the coming year.
“I want to work on more projects that lead to real improvements. We’re already seeing how our work supports students, and that keeps me motivated.”
Moving Forward
As she reflects on her academic and professional goals, Ife sees her time at the Center as a turning point. She is still considering medical school but now with a broader vision—one that includes research, mentorship, and systemic change.
Her advice to others interested in this field is simple:
“Have an open mind. You’ll meet people with different experiences, and you’ll need empathy to understand them. If helping people drives you, this work will matter to you.”
For Ife, the Center has made a personal difference too.
“I don’t think I would’ve found accommodations without talking to other students,” she shared. “The Center means community. It means someone is looking out for us and making sure we have what we need to succeed.”
