Heidi Scher Wins Ark-AHEAD Distinguished Professional Award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Heidi Scher, associate director of the Center for Educational Access at the University of Arkansas, was awarded the Ark-AHEAD Distinguished Professional Award Oct. 2 at the Partners for Student Success Awards.

Scher has worked for the U of A at the Center for Educational Access for more than seven years.

“To be recognized by my peers with the very first Distinguished Professional Award is truly humbling,” she said.

Ark-AHEAD is the Arkansas Association on Higher Education and Disability. This is an organization for professionals working with people who have disabilities in post-secondary education in Arkansas.

Scher has been heavily involved in Ark-AHEAD while working at the Center for Educational Access.

The Center for Educational Access at the U of A serves as the central campus resource for helping students with disabilities obtain the accommodations they need for equal access to classroom activity. 

“By helping to break down barriers for students with disabilities, we are able to make our campus community a more integrated and stimulating environment,” Scher said.

Scher strives to continue to work with faculty to make the U of A more accessible for students.

“To see our UA campus become more proactive by including accessibility considerations into every aspect of our community means that we are becoming much more inclusive, diverse and welcoming,” Scher said.

Scher’s colleagues are thrilled with the acknowledgment of her success.

“We are overjoyed that Heidi was recognized as the very first Distinguished Professional Award recipient,” said Laura James, interim director for the Center for Educational Access. She is well-deserving of the recognition both for her service to the university and to our colleagues across the state.”

Scher has become a prominent figure throughout her time working at the U of A.

“She is known state-wide and nationally as a respected leader and resource for matters related to assistive technology, document conversion and accessibility,” James said. “Overall Heidi’s heart for serving others and passion to create an inclusive and diverse community led to her winning this prestigious award.”