7 Questions for Angus Murray

Less than six months ago, Angus Murray came to Hawk Hill to lead the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support. As families and advocates commemorate National Autism Awareness Month, SJU News spoke to Murray about building on the Kinney Center’s national reputation, advocating for autism acceptance and educating the field’s next leaders.

The Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in October. Can you speak to the strides the Kinney Center has made since opening day?

For the past 10 years, the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support has been at the forefront of serving the autism community. In that time, we have made majors strides, including launching a major in Autism Studies, the ASPIRE College Support program and most recently opening the Autism Break Room in Hagan Arena in December.

In addition to those achievements, we began offering high-level programming through our camps and events for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). I’m proud of our continued commitment to our two-fold mission of educating and training the autism professionals of tomorrow, while serving individuals and families affected by autism today.

The Autism Break Room was unveiled in your first six months as director, what does it mean to have that resource available at the Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena for families at designated games?

The Autism Break Room ties to an overall larger push of integrating the autism community into society and preparing society to properly support individuals and families affected by ASD. We take pride in still being one of the only higher education institutions to offer an Autism Break Room in an NCAA Division I athletic arena. Our goal was to create a comfortable and safe space for those to take a break from enjoying a Hawks game when needed. We’re extremely pleased with the feedback we’ve received from sports fans and families, and look forward to providing this resource next season.

Autism receives a great amount of support during Autism Awareness Month in April, how can we continue this important discussion throughout the year?

The month of April is filled with a lot of great initiatives and events, but it is important to continue conversation and push for acceptance year-round. One place I would recommend starting conversation is with your employer. In recent years, more companies are working to hire candidates on the autism spectrum through diversity and inclusion efforts. I also encourage individuals to step in and speak up if they witness any inappropriate treatment. We all have a responsibility to help, educate, encourage and value one another.

You work with undergraduate students in two ways at the Kinney Center. Can you describe what it’s like to interact and work with undergraduate and graduate students on a daily basis?

I’m very fortunate to be in a position to work closely with students at SJU through our SCHOLARS Program and the ASPIRE College Support program. Our students show true professionalism and I learn from them every day. Kinney SCHOLARS are undergraduate and graduate students who provide one-on-one support to the individuals with autism in our program and receive extensive training and guidance from our staff. While most SCHOLARS are majoring or minoring in autism studies, we welcome all majors to this program. The experience they receive as SCHOLARS will undoubtedly prepare them for the workforce and allow them to be great assets to their employer.

The ASPIRE College Support program is for students with ASD who have already been accepted into Saint Joseph's University and are interested in receiving additional support. This is done through individual case management, crisis intervention and prevention, time management strategies, independent living and social skills training and a supported work environment. It’s a true honor being able to help make college life easier in any capacity we can.

What are goals you have for the Kinney Center?

It has been an exciting first six months in this role and I have many goals I hope to accomplish. I would like to grow our ASPIRE College Support program. Currently, approximately one percent of SJU students are enrolled in this program. As individuals affected by ASD continues to grow, I want to be able to help more students and provide them with the skills they need after graduating.

I also hope to grow the SCHOLARS program. We have about 125 students enrolled in this program and I would like that number to be closer to 150.

Another goal of mine is to ramp up our consulting efforts with local businesses regarding hiring more individuals on the autism spectrum. We can provide them with skills and knowledge in order to make sure their business is being inclusive and accepting.

You received master’s degree in non-profit leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, what’s it like to be back in the great city of Philadelphia working in higher education?

I’ve found that Philadelphia is an extremely supportive network for a large city. In my previous job, I worked outside the city. In the autism community specifically, there are many great institutions and programs we can collaborate with and learn from to help advance our system.

What is your favorite part about being a part of the SJU community?

My favorite part about the SJU community is the collaboration that takes place on campus. Students, employees and staff display true dedication toward helping one another and it makes me proud to be on Hawk Hill.