Andrea Piazza and Pam Doran Talk NeuroDiverse Collective Employee Affinity Group

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — August 13, 2025) Founded in December 2024, the NeuroDiverse Collective employee affinity group (EAG) has been steadfast in supporting its members and providing a safe space to share experiences, resources, and form meaningful connections. Its organizers, Pam Doran, digital accessibility coordinator and multimedia technology coordinator, and Andrea Piazza, assistant director of the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services, offer insights into the impact of the EAG as it reaches its eight-month mark.

How long have you been at Empire State University?

Piazza: I began working at Empire State University in the Accessibility Office in December of 2013.

Doran: I’ve been working at Empire State University now for two years.

What is the NeuroDiverse Collective?

Piazza: The goal is to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all employees, including neurodiverse employees, celebrating unique perspectives and talents that we bring to the university, and working towards understanding, advocacy, and collaboration to make sure that all our voices are heard. Creating community … a safe space for these topics to be discussed.

Doran: We’ve also been asked to make recommendations on how to best support our neurodivergent colleagues. One of the rallying cries is, ‘Why are they doing this research without us?’ So, I love that the university not only gave us this opportunity to create an affinity group, but they’ve also come to us with, ‘What do you think of this?’

Who is this group for?

Piazza: All employees and faculty. Anybody who wants to learn more about how to support our colleagues. Certainly, anybody who identifies as being neurodiverse … or wants to learn more about what we do. We do so many things for students to provide inclusive environments, but [here, we’re] looking at how we can create those spaces for those of us who work for the university. Advocates, allies, or those who have colleagues or family members [who identify as neurodiverse] as well.

What are some of the group’s offerings?

Doran: We did collaborate on a presentation for Neurodiversity Celebration Month. We’ve done Reason & Respect. It’s not a requirement [for members] to do any of that—if you don’t feel like turning your camera on or talking and [prefer] just being present, that’s fine. There’s no pressure … it’s not a working group; it really is an affinity group.

As an informal space where employees can show up as themselves, Doran and Piazza underscore the NeuroDiverse Collective’s “take what you need” philosophy—there are absolutely no requirements, and each person’s level of involvement is up to them. Doran also lists examples of low-stakes discussion topics in the group that help facilitate community bonds:

Doran: Good travel places—because sometimes sensory input can be something you really want or sometimes don’t want. We’ve shared museums that we really enjoy, or our specialized interests. We share tips, we share ideas. Sometimes it’s just having lunch or socializing.

What are some ways joining an EAG might enrich your work life?

Piazza: At times, it can feel very isolating when you may have a diagnosis and need to do things differently than those who are neurotypical. Being able to connect with others who might be able to relate to that, and they also go about things in a different way… different becomes the new normal. Also, getting to know colleagues that you wouldn’t otherwise work with, and learning from each other. It’s another way to connect with others who have things in common.

Doran explains that connecting with others who are neurodiverse can help each individual figure out and celebrate their strengths, which is part of the work of shifting the narrative surrounding neurodiversity away from deficit focused language and into person-first language.

Doran: When you think of any neurodivergence or disability, [ask:] what are their strengths? That’s probably the most important thing, we’re all just people. What can you do to lean on this [diversity] to be extraordinary?

What is your favorite moment from the NeuroDiverse Collective so far?

Doran: I think it’s the laughter. I can’t really put my finger on the biggest moment, but there are moments where we just roar with laughter because we’re just understanding each other, or just ‘vibing.’

Piazza: The idea that we’ve created this space where our own ways of doing things are accepted, expected, and that at times it can be [about] learning from each other, can be very validating. And then, through that, creating a culture where hopefully individuals feel comfortable to show up authentically as themselves.

What are some ways in which the group has grown and changed?

Doran: Our friendships have gotten stronger. Our understanding of each other has grown stronger. But the actual format and the mission really has stayed solid. We have a very specific goal of first, supporting each other, and second, increasing awareness.

How can interested prospective members join the NeuroDiverse Collective?

Those interested in joining, whether an ally or neurodiverse themselves, can reach out to Doran and Piazza via email to receive an invite to the next meeting, or to simply be added to the Microsoft Teams channel, which contains resources curated by the group. Meetings are held every two weeks, alternating between Wednesdays and Thursdays, and are held for an hour. Participants are not required to attend, and may pop in and out at their discretion.

Any words of encouragement for those who might be looking to get involved?

Doran: It’s fun!

Piazza: And Pam [Doran] is very good about providing reminders when we need it … about looking at the strengths, looking at the positives.  That uniqueness is something to embrace instead of masking. Come as you are—there’s no one way that somebody must show up.