Dr. Kirsten R. Brown’s research agenda follows three lines of inquiry to address issues of access, diversity, and outcomes in higher education. Dr. Brown is interested in practices that support the retention and success of students with disabilities in postsecondary education. In particular, Dr. Brown is currently working in the areas of neuro and learning diversity and focuses on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Learning Disabilities (LD). Her forthcoming co-authored book is Disability in Higher Education: A Social Justice Approach will be available in March, 2017.  Dr. Brown was awarded the Disability Leadership Award, by ACPA’s Standing Committee on Disability (2015) in recognition of her research contributions. Dr. Brown’s second line of inquiry examines gendered organizational structures with an emphasis on technology and work environments. Dr. Brown has recently started to study cultural competence and assessment practices within graduate medical education.

Dr. Brown’s teaching background is in Higher Education Administration, Sociology, and Disability Studies. She has graduate and undergraduate teaching experience at four different institutions and enjoys the incorporating technology into the learning environment. Currently, Dr. Brown is an Adjunct Faculty Member at Madison College. Dr. Brown is active in several professional organizations and has presented nationally at ASHE, NAFSA,and ACPA.

Dr. Brown also serves as a Curriculum Coordinator for International Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is active in international education; in May of 2015 gave an invited lecture at Xi’an International Studies University in Xi’an, China. Dr. Brown is an accomplished administrator with professional experience at a small arts-focused college, a mid-size state university, and a large flagship institution. Her administrative work spans the areas of residence life, McNair Scholars, disability services, leadership programs, graduate admissions, academic advising, and pre-college programs.

Dr. Brown earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from Bowling Green State University. While at Bowling Green State University, Dr. Brown received the Katzner Award for Graduate Research and successfully nominated Dr. Broido for the President’s Award in Collaborative Research. Dr. Brown received her master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology from Carroll University.