Ivy Dulysz
Nazareth College
Ivy Dulysz, a junior Music Therapy major with studies in Psychology, Neuropsychology, and Gerontology is an autism self-advocate and disability activist. Ivy’s direct service work with individuals with disabilities is her main drive and motivation to pursue equity and justice for those identifying with autism as well as other marginalized groups. Ivy has served as the Vice President of Diversity Initiatives within the Undergraduate Association, intern for the Kerry Magro Making a Difference Foundation, founder and coordinator for Accessing Inclusion, student ambassador for the Nazareth College’s Bias Response and Education Team and Peer Mentor for the Mentor Collective. Advancing campus and community understanding, Ivy was co-founder of Accessing Inclusion. This group, formed in collaboration with the college’s Student Accessibility Services, orchestrated several workshops highlighting the experiences of students with disabilities, centering the voices of individuals with lived-experience and advocating for greater equity and access. Ivy also serves as one of the first student members to join Nazareth’s Bias Reporting and Education Team (NBRET). Ivy’s work towards equity and justice is also evident in her academics. Her current research, part of her capstone thesis for the Honors program, focuses on the intersectionality of autism and gender.
Personal Statement
My name is Ivy Dulysz and I am a junior in the Music Therapy program at Nazareth College. I have served as the Vice President of Diversity Initiatives within the Undergraduate Association and as an intern for the Kerry Magro Making a Difference Foundation. I am the founder and coordinator for Accessing Inclusion, an event series focusing on the demographical intersections with disability, including gender and femininity. I am a student ambassador for Nazareth College’s Bias Response and Education Team, as well as a peer mentor and student ambassador for the Mentor Collective. The opportunity to work in the proverbial grassroots, directly with the people, has led me to my life's work and passion: advocacy and leadership through service. My engagement in not only my home but my school community has well-prepared and will continue to prepare me for a job in which I can work with most demographics and age ranges as a music therapist. As an autism self-advocate and disability activist, my direct service work with the disabled community is my main drive and motivation to pursue equity and justice for us as well as other marginalized groups.
