Donelle Henderlong, M.A.

About me

Donelle Henderlong has been in the Disability Services field for 9 years. Prior to coming to Valparaiso University, Donelle was the Access Coordinator for the Disability Access Center at Purdue University Northwest in Westville, Indiana. She received two degrees from Ball State University: A Bachelors of Arts in English Studies and a Masters of Arts in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education. While completing her Masters, Donelle served as the Graduate Assistant for the Office of Disability Services. She has also held positions in Housing and Residence Life at Ball State University and is a former ACUHO-I intern for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  In terms of professional organizations, Donelle has been a member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) and is was Secretary of the Indiana chapter from 2019- 2021.

Recognitions for Donelle include: Top 5 Finalist- 2017 Up and Coming Influential Woman of the Year (Northwest Indiana Women’s Association); 2013 Max Adamson Outstanding Student Award winner (Office of Disability Services, Ball State University); and 2011 Fehribach Award Winner (Office of Disability Services; Ball State University)

What brought Donelle to this work is her gratitude to those who assisted her in making her college experience equitable and her passion for social justice. Donelle has been lucky enough to lobby on Capitol Hill twice to advocate to local and state legislators for complex rehabilitative technology. As Coordinator for the AARC, Donelle is able to assist in creating an equitable environment for the students, faculty, and staff in the Valpo community while advocating for all types of issues that make up the individual.