Excerpted from the University Record; read the full Neubacher Award article here. 

LSA senior Vincent Pinti takes to heart the University of Michigan’s stated diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan goal of creating a campus community where all “members are welcomed and supported and differing perspectives and contributions are sought out and valued.”

As a student living with a genetic neuromuscular condition, spinal muscular atrophy, which causes him to use a wheelchair, he knows firsthand how isolating it can feel to be a part of a minority or marginalized group, within a large institution.

“It seems at a first glance, a naked eye view, there are not many people here that look like me, that share my lived experience, that empathize with the adversity that I experience,” said Pinti, who is majoring in political science and minoring in Spanish.

“As a result, at times, it can feel very lonely, and it becomes growingly challenging to be able to teach and share the life I was given with the world.”

But instead of focusing solely on himself and his studies, Pinti decided shortly after arriving on campus to leave his mark at U-M by working to raise the profile of disability advocacy among student government, and by working against ableism to develop a more equitable community.

Read the full article from the University Record. 

View the 2021 Award Presentation via Zoom Webinar on October 29, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. (EST).

The James T. Neubacher presentation webinar is available at this link. ASL and CART services will be provided.