The INI Team brings together expertise in academics, communications, mental health, and employment support, but what we share is a commitment to whole-student success, during their time at Illinois and beyond. INI is a place where neurodivergent students can be themselves and find the kind of community that makes a big campus feel like family. We are housed within the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in the College of ACES and serve undergraduate students across all colleges and departments.
Questions? Reach us at iniprogram@illinois.edu
INI Staff
Kim Patton, PhD
kagentry@illinois.edu
(217) 300-0316
Director, Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative Teaching Assistant Professor, Human Development and Family Studies
Dr. Patton leads INI’s programming, teaches INI courses, and leads our employment supports.
Becky Fredrick
fred23@illinois.edu
Academic & Social Lead
Becky oversees INI’s academic supports and social connection programming.
Max Dudley
mdudley4@illinois.edu
Student Communications Support
Max provides direct student support and administrative assistance for INI.
Laura Olthoff, MSW LSW
lbbrown@illinois.edu
Mental Health Support
Laura provides mental health support for INI students and assists with social connection and family support.
Campus Partners
Amy Cohen, PhD
amycohen@illinois.edu
Associate Director, Psychological Services Center
Director, University of Illinois Autism Clinic
Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Cohen partners with INI to provide neurodiversity-affirming mental health services through the PSC.
Students
INI Student“I am in a supportive and inclusive group that doesn’t discriminate.”
INI Student“It’s not built specifically for one person and their needs; it’s meant to help a lot of people at the same time.”
INI students represent the majority of colleges at the University of Illinois including: Grainger College of Engineering, Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS), Agriculture, Consumer, and Economic Studies (ACES), Fine and Applied Arts, Applied Health Studies, School of Social Work, School of Information Sciences.
INI Students have a vast amount of majors and interests spanning from History to Astronomy, and Engineering to Social Work. We serve the entire campus.
