Kirsten A. Schramm
Kirsten Schramm is a dedicated higher education professional and the Director of Accessibility Services at Lake Forest College, where she leads efforts to foster inclusive, accessible learning environments for all students. In her role, she partners closely with campus stakeholders to support disability policies, oversee accommodation processes, and ensure equitable access to academic resources. She also manages key components of accessibility services, including a testing center and case management support, while working directly with students and families to help them navigate their educational experience with confidence and support.
Kirsten’s career is rooted in a strong foundation in special education, having spent several years as a teacher and structured learning community educator in K–5 settings. Her early work as a paraprofessional and educator shaped her collaborative, student-centered approach, where she worked alongside multidisciplinary teams to support diverse learning, social, and emotional needs. This hands-on experience continues to inform her work in higher education, allowing her to bridge the gap between K–12 and college accessibility services with empathy, expertise, and practical insight.
Driven by a desire to make a broader impact, Kirsten transitioned into higher education, where she has found deeply fulfilling work advocating for disability inclusion on a larger scale. She is an active member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability, regularly engaging in professional development and national conversations to stay at the forefront of accessibility practices. Known for her persistence and passion, Kirsten is committed to breaking down barriers and creating environments where all students have the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.
• LBS1 Learning Behavior Specialist Level 1 (2016)
• Teaching certificate
• Lewis University- Master's
• Saint Xavier University- Bachelor's
• Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
What do you attribute your success to?
I'd say it's been a combination of preservation and dedication. I really love what I do, and I push through challenges and obstacles to make an impact or be involved in the things that I can. But I also think it's just as much the support that I've received along the way. Whether it's been my family or colleagues or my partner, I couldn't do these things without their support. Having good family support and a good supportive system in general has been key to my success over these 13 years in education.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received is to just go ahead and try it. I tend to be a perfectionist, and I want things to go perfectly, but I had a mentor who just really encouraged me to try things and explore different ideas, even if I didn't have them fully formulated yet, because the world is constantly adjusting and growing. That was really, really helpful for me to hear when I was really wanting everything to be aligned perfectly.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
To be open, to be open-minded, and to make sure that you're listening and learning as much as you're trying to apply new ideas. I think it's important to listen and learn, ask questions, and find a good mentor who can guide you along the way.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest challenge that we're facing right now is that we're at a really pivotal moment of having to withhold compliance standards and disability rights and navigating a changing landscape about what that looks like, whether it's with changing laws or changing directives. We also need to keep up with the new information that we're gathering as we learn more and more studies are done. The challenges are making sure we're holding true to what's already been in place and what the law or statutes require of us, both in education and in disability-related areas, but then also making sure there's a willingness to apply new skills and practices to best support the people that we work with.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I think inclusion is most important to me, both personally and professionally. I believe in including people and in a very strong sense of community, and I think that starts with us being good community members. Curiosity is another value that's important to me. In my work, I really have to get to know students and the people I'm working with to better understand their circumstances and how I can help, and I think that is true in my personal life as well. I also value flexibility. Things are rarely black and white, and being able to be flexible with each other and flexible with things that may come up that aren't according to plan is important, both professionally and personally.