Getting to know Alexander Umstead

Graduate Assistant for the Disability Cultural Center

By Gabrielle Aviles
Junior, Communication and Rhetorical Studies major and DSA Communications Intern

Alex was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but raised in Syracuse. He received his B.S. from SUNY-ESF in 2010 and is now working on his M.S. and Ph.D. here at Syracuse University. He has been in his position since August 2011, but has been on the SU campus since 2006, giving him time to learn about and love the campus around him.

“I became very interested in disability rights as an undergraduate because of both my identity as a disabled person, and also because of my work in schools,” says Alex.

His passion brought him to Syracuse University because of its history of disability rights and focus on inclusion.

“Our center provides a place where people can interact with the idea of disability as something that can be a neutral or positive aspect of one's identity,” says Alex. “People can come and be comfortable as they are (including people with disabilities who may not view their disabilities as something positive). We welcome everyone to the table, regardless of whether they identify as disabled or nondisabled.”

It isn’t hard to tell how much Alex’s position means to him as he tells me about his purpose here on campus and his research. He opens with a witty response that he is Batman when I ask him to tell us a secret about him, lightening up the mood, but quickly goes back to discussing why it is that he is here and what he loves about his position at the Disability Cultural Center.

Alex’s easy-going personality and love for his job is what makes him an essential part of the Disability Cultural Center.