Discoveries in Education Spotlight: Stephanie Levin
Discoveries in Education Spotlight: Stephanie Levin
Discoveries in Education Spotlight: Stephanie Levin
Academic Program: Ed.D. Candidate, Educational Leadership
Current Role: Management Assistant, Rowan-Virtua SOM Student Affairs & Alumni Engagement
Sharing Her Story to Create Change
Stephanie Levin is using her voice to shed light on the challenges students with disabilities face in higher education. As an Ed.D. candidate in Educational Leadership, a published author, and an advocate, she is committed to reshaping how colleges support students with invisible disabilities.
Her book, Picking up the Pieces: Finding My Way as a Visually Impaired Woman in Higher Education, explores both the history of disability in higher education and her own journey of becoming visually impaired in her early 20s. Through it, she hopes to show others that they are not alone.
Breaking the Silence on Ableism
Stephanie’s work is deeply personal. “Even though I had a support system, I still felt incredibly lonely,” she shares. “I felt like an oddity, almost like a defective model of a human being.” These feelings were compounded by microaggressions and ableist assumptions about her competence as a student.
Her goal is to use her platform to validate the experiences of others. “My wish is for my book to serve as a guide for reassuring others that yes, their feelings and experiences are valid, and yes, ableism is a real problem that still exists.”
Shaping the Future of Higher Education
Through her dissertation research, Stephanie is conducting a heuristic inquiry on women graduate students with invisible disabilities and the ableist perceptions they face in male-dominated fields. Her findings reveal that internalized ableism and imposter syndrome are common—and that higher education must address these systemic challenges.
“Institutions have made some progress, but we still have so much more work to do,” she explains. Her ultimate goal is to create disability training and curriculum for educators, advisors, and administrators that also address intersecting identities such as gender.
Looking Ahead
Stephanie plans to publish her dissertation findings, create professional development programs, and eventually teach courses in educational leadership, disability in higher education, and women’s studies. She’s also considering writing another book—this time exploring how different cultures view disability.
“Perfection doesn’t exist,” she says. “We need to embrace that reality in higher education and ensure every student feels seen, valued, and supported.”
Learn more about Stephanie and her work
At the Rowan University College of Education, we believe discoveries in education take many forms — from bold innovations to everyday acts of impact. This year, we’re spotlighting alumni, faculty, and students who are actively reimagining education, engaging communities, and transforming lives.
Whether you're leading research, launching a side project, mentoring others, improving classroom practices, or advocating for change, we’d love to hear your story. Read other Discoveries.
