Isabell May, PhD, associate professor, will represent the University in a Kirwan Center initiative to advance universal design.
From video lectures to audio explanations, Isabell May, PhD, has long embraced digital tools to connect with her students. As an associate professor in the University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies and director of the Science Communication Program, she teaches exclusively online, attuning her to the barriers and opportunities that come with ensuring all learners can engage with course materials.
Now she is bringing that commitment to a new level.
May has been selected by the William E. Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation to participate in its Boosting Course Accessibility mini-grant program, a University System of Maryland (USM) initiative that supports faculty across USM’s institutions in redesigning courses with accessibility in mind. The program provides funding and expert guidance to help faculty implement universal design principles that enhance learning for all students.
“Creating accessible materials improves the learning experience for my students and gives them a model for their own work,” May said. “As science communicators, they need to understand how to reach diverse audiences. By weaving accessibility into the classroom, students gain the tools to succeed and the awareness to carry those practices forward.”
Accessibility has long been a focus for May.
In her introductory course, Science Communication Principles, she developed a two-week module on how accessibility shapes science circulation, complete with interactive activities highlighting digital and written communication solutions. She also has participated in accessibility-focused fellowships with the National Federation of the Blind, Teach Access, and the Open Educational Resources Academy. These experiences helped her build inclusive practices into her classes and connect with colleagues who share her commitment to equitable teaching.
May also directs the UMB Writing Center, a student-focused initiative that provides extensive online support through hundreds of appointments each semester.
With support from the new mini-grant, May plans to strengthen accessibility in her courses while broadening the conversation across campus. She will serve as the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) faculty ambassador, working to connect schools across the University and collaborate around universal design for learning.
“For me, participating in this program is about building on UMB’s culture of accessibility that prepares all students to thrive, ensuring no one is left out of the learning experience,” May said.
May joins 16 other faculty members across USM in this year’s cohort, helping to lead a systemwide shift toward more inclusive education.