Spencer named director of MSU’s ACCESS Program and Specialized College Services

Contact: Bethany Shipp

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s Jordan Spencer is now the director of the university’s ACCESS Program and Specialized College Services, a new unit that expands MSU’s support to students with intellectual, developmental and neurodiverse needs.

Spencer oversees this unit, housed in the Mississippi Institute on Disabilities, that brings together the ACCESS Program and the expansion of unique programming for neurodiverse college students. It now incorporates the Autism Liaisons Program, focused on the success of degree-seeking students on the autism spectrum, and expands iREACH, a formalized program for neurodiverse students to build skills in self-advocacy, socialization and employment.

“Supporting individuals across the lifespan has always been our mission, and this new unit allows us to reach more college-aged students who are neurodiverse and help them find success while working toward their goals,” says Kasee Stratton-Gadke, executive director of Mississippi Institute on Disabilities. 

Spencer stepped into the role after serving as interim director in recent months. He joined MSU in 2017 as a staff psychologist and worked with multiple disability programs on campus, including ACCESS and Autism Liaisons. Since 2022, he has been an assistant teaching professor in MSU’s Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology, and Foundations.

Now directing the ACCESS Program, Spencer works to ensure students with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive a quality postsecondary education through immersive experiences in academics, career development and independent living. He also will lead the strategic planning for future programs that support neurodiverse students and young adults, facilitating their success at MSU, within their communities and beyond.

“Dr. Spencer brings deep expertise, proven leadership and an unwavering passion for empowering students of all abilities—ensuring ACCESS and Specialized College Services continue to thrive as models in post-secondary education,” said Stratton-Gadke. “We are fortunate to have his skillset and enthusiasm leading such remarkable programs.”

Spencer’s new responsibilities span oversight of program development and implementation, staff and student supervision, grant writing, training and outreach. The programs now have a new home in the Jim and Thomas Duff Center—a newly constructed 100,000-square-foot facility that also houses the Department of Kinesiology and Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic. The ACCESS Program and Specialized College Services space includes offices, a computer lab and living areas mirroring similar environments these students will experience after college.

“I’m incredibly honored to lead these programs I’ve been closely involved with over the past eight years at Mississippi State University,” Spencer said. “With our transition into the Duff Center, I’m excited to integrate the new space, resources and training opportunities into every aspect of our work. This move will have a lasting impact on our students, families, staff and training programs for years to come—and I am truly proud to be a part of that.”

Spencer holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership from MSU. He holds the Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst credentials. Prior to MSU, he served as a K-12 school psychologist for five years. Spencer also is an AAA licensed school psychologist and a licensed behavior analyst in Mississippi with a passion for providing services to young adults with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

For more information about the ACCESS Program and Specialized College Services, visit https://www.miod.msstate.edu/centers/access-program-and-specialized-college-services.

MSU’s College of Education, home of the Mississippi Institute on Disabilities, also includes five academic departments, a division of education, one research unit and numerous service units. Learn more at https://www.educ.msstate.edu/.

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.