The NAU Review — A disability advocate living her best life, how NAU brings counseling to students and how to become a student regent

Oct. 10, 2023

For Allison Stenger, advocacy seems to come naturally—she petitioned her high school to ensure students could use accessible websites, she’s going into psychology to ensure she can help students with disabilities find resources and success, and she even adopted a one-eyed cat. It’s not always easy, though—Stenger is a graduate student living with mental illness who has been the target of discrimination and stigma simply because of who she is. For Disability Pride and Heritage Month, she talks about her advocacy work, how the NAU community has helped in her growth and shares stories of her stubborn, opinionated feline friend.

Did you know you can get counseling in the same places you study or meet with friends? Counseling Services has embedded counselors in several buildings throughout campus, including IMQ, NACC and the Veterans Success Center space located in the Franke College of Business, so students can take care of their mental health in comfortable and familiar spaces. For World Mental Health Day, learn about this program, which isn’t new but one that NAU is using to help reach more students and establish a community-based approach to mental health.