KINGSTON, R.I. 鈥� July 27, 2026 鈥� 鈥檚 contributions to education access recently garnered her recognition by the Association on Higher Education and Disability, the leading national professional membership association for individuals committed to equity for persons with disabilities in higher education.
Vaccaro, a Kingston resident, was awarded by AHEAD鈥檚 Research Knowledge and Practice Community as this year鈥檚 recipient of the Distinguished Career Contributions to Postsecondary Disability Research Award. The award recognizes the valuable contributions to postsecondary research by Vaccaro, who publishes frequently in professional journals; her recent articles have examined family support, advocacy, and student success in college, and more.
鈥淚 was humbled and deeply honored to receive this award,鈥� Vaccaro said. 鈥淩esearchers don’t always know the kinds of impact our work has on others.鈥�
She says the recognition by AHEAD gives her hope that other educators, policy makers, and researchers are also joining in the work to create more inclusive post-secondary environments for students with disabilities.
鈥淩esearch and informed practice on disability issues are more important than ever,鈥� she added.
An associate dean in the 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 , Vaccaro received her award this month at a ceremony in Providence. A 溏心vlog免费B站 faculty member since 2008, Vaccaro鈥檚 scholarship focuses on social justice in higher education. She also co-authored a new book with 溏心vlog免费B站 colleague Adam Moore, titled 鈥�Disability Life Stories: Unfiltered Voices on School, Family, Career, and Finding Purpose.鈥�
The annual conference attracted a range of attendees from across the country, from ADA coordinators to student affairs personnel, all invested in creating welcoming higher education experiences for people with disabilities. AHEAD鈥檚 membership represents all 50 states and more than 10 countries. Vaccaro also presented a session about her research at this year鈥檚 conference.
As a researcher, Vaccaro conducts research that can be used by educators to create more equitable learning environments for students.
She has received numerous awards for her work including a NASPA Pillar of the Profession Award and a George Kuh Award for Outstanding Contribution to Literature and Research. At 溏心vlog免费B站, she has received a Faculty Diversity Award from the University鈥檚 Multicultural Student Services Center and a Mentor of the Year Award from 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 Gender and Sexuality Center.
In announcing the award, Adam Lalor, vice president of neurodiversity research and innovation at Landmark College, said, 鈥淎nnemarie has made tremendous contributions to postsecondary disability research. She has truly advanced and inspired the field more than she probably even realizes.鈥�