Ambassador Profile: Heidi
Hello, my name is Heidi Wangelin, and I am a DO-IT Ambassador and an AccessSTEM member. I live in Redmond, WA. I have Asperger syndrome and a non-verbal learning disorder. I graduated from Cascadia Community College this June with faculty honors, was a part of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and was a club representative for my school's disability club called Access Futures. I attend the University of Washington, Bothell, and I am majoring in culture, literature, and the arts. I hope to eventually go on to earn a master's degree in library science at the University of Washington's Seattle campus. I was recently nominated for the All Washington State Academic Team for Two Year Colleges and Technical Colleges and as a result received a University of Washington All-Academic Team scholarship, which means I was one of the first ten people from the team to be accepted into the University of Washington. I also participate in the University of Washington, Bothell's Disability Student Strengths Alliance as one of the founding members. I am interested in the neurodiversity movement, which is a movement that believes that invisible disabilities are differences to be celebrated and that people with these disabilities have the freedom to express ourselves. I have been on a few DO-IT panels including one at Ryther's Children Center in Seattle and was a Summer Study session leader for the College Life group this year. What I like best about DO-IT is how it prepared to me to self advocate and helped me refine my computer skills, a necessary skill in library science. I have also made many wonderful friends through DO-IT that I see often.
I am currently working with Penny Hinke, a DO-IT staff member who specializes in study coaching. Working with Penny has helped me learn time management as well as managing my school, family, and social life.
I love being part of DO-IT and hope others will have the support I have had.