Erik Brenner
Director of Diversity Initiatives & Engagement, Office of the Dean
Contact
- e.brenner@northeastern.edu
- 360 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
About
Erik Brenner is the inaugural Director of Diversity Initiatives and Engagement to develop, implement, and lead the diversity programs dedicated to enhancing the support of neurodiverse individuals, within the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the college.
Erik also leads the recently launched Neurodiversity Support Initiative (NSI) in the College of Engineering which is overseen by an internal advisory committee. This neurodiversity program will work towards expanding a neuro-inclusive culture on campus. This will be done through projects like student coaching, professional development, employer partnerships, disability advocacy, and DEI partnerships.
Erik has been engaged with the neurodiverse population for over two decades in leadership roles in higher education, non-profit, and public education. He has served as a neurodiversity DEI Consultant since 2019, in addition to his engagement with the National Foundation for Autism Research in San Diego, CA.
In this new role, Erik will focus on the following but is not limited to: participating in NSF funded opportunities for STEM Access for Persons With Disabilities (neurodiversity), building partnerships with other Universities, create partnerships with organizations and co-op partners, develop awareness training for faculty and staff, generate campus programs, etc. Erik will develop collaborations with internal and external entities, as well as conduct outreach nationally to foster participation and inclusion broadly.
Prior to joining Northeastern, Erik served for 10 years as Assistant Principal in the City of Peabody School System. Erik then joined Northeastern in September of 2022, after completing his doctorate in organizational leadership, where he conducted a qualitative research study of neurodiversity and employment. His research consisted of a case study on how an organization can effectively include individuals with Autism and create an overall equitable and inclusive environment.
Apr 05, 2024
Neurodiversity Awareness and Support Presentation at CEIA Conference
Erik Brenner, director of diversity initiatives and neurodiversity support and Maricla Pirozzi, program director for MS programs in multidisciplinary engineering, at Northeastern University’s College of Engineering will speak on neurodiversity awareness and support in higher education and on co-op at the CEIA National Conference in Tampa, Florida, April 7-9.