Dr. Julie Reneau awarded Abelina Suarez Professorship

After a highly competitive process, Dr. Julie Reneau has been awarded the Abelina Suarez Professorship, Fairmont State University's only endowed professorship. Reneau serves as a Professor of Special Education and coordinates the graduate Multi-Categorical Special Education program. Established through a generous bequest from the estate of Abelina Suarez, this prestigious professorship carries Suarez's name along with that of the honoree's academic discipline. The title is held in perpetuity by each recipient, with a new faculty member selected every five years.

During her five-year term, Reneau will develop a program to support the transition from college to work for neurodiverse students at Fairmont State. This initiative will involve collaboration with Autism Individualized Mentoring and Support Services (AIMSS), Accessibility Services, Career Services, Alumni Relations, and the Fairmont State Alumni Association. "I am thrilled to have been chosen for the Abelina Suarez Professorship and look forward to collaborating with colleagues on campus and the community to establish a transition program that boosts employment opportunities for neurodiverse students," said Reneau.

The program aims to enhance career readiness for neurodiverse students by providing elective coursework, internships, workshops, and networking opportunities. It will also seek to build partnerships with employers, offer training for job-coaching mentors, and create educational materials to assist students, families, and employers in navigating the transition from college to the workplace.

"Dr. Reneau has shown exceptional dedication as an educator, with a deep commitment to helping neurodiverse students succeed," said Fairmont State President Mike Davis. "Her previous service to our students has been impressive, and I'm confident she will make even greater contributions to their long-term success as she assumes the responsibilities of the Abelina Suarez Professorship. Faculty like Dr. Reneau, who care deeply and consistently go the extra mile, help make Fairmont State a truly Great Place to Learn."

In addition to serving as a Professor of Special Education and program coordinator for the Multi-Categorical Special Education program at Fairmont State University, Reneau co-founded the AIMSS program in 2015, where she now serves as Executive Director. In 2020, Reneau was recognized as a finalist for WV Professor of the Year. She is also a recipient of the Boram Award for Teaching Excellence at Fairmont State. Reneau is passionate about teaching and advising students, engaging with participants in the AIMSS program, and collaborating with colleagues to improve services and programs for individuals with disabilities.Before joining Fairmont State in 2009, she worked as a special education teacher in Taylor County, earning honors including Taylor County Teacher of the Year.

The Abelina Suarez Professorship recognizes sustained excellence among Fairmont State University faculty. This year marks the fifth award of the professorship, with previous recipients including Dr. Judy Byers (2002), Dr. Connie Moore (2007), Dr. Francene Kirk (2013), and Dr. Erica Harvey (2018).

Abelina Suarez, born in 1910 in Spain and raised in Anmoore, West Virginia, was the first woman to graduate from Ohio University in the field then called German chemistry. She went on to teach math and science in Harrison County for more than 30 years. Suarez attended Fairmont State Teachers College in the 1940s and earned a master's degree in education from West Virginia University. Through her foresight and generosity, she designated a portion of her estate to advance educational opportunities at Fairmont State.