Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) are excited to announce that Justin Wade has joined the West Plains campus as its new TJ Swift House ASCEND Program Director at the Neurodiversity and Autism Center. In this role, Wade will focus primarily on promoting the program by reaching out to school districts at transition fairs, special education directors and area resources for individuals whom the program may benefit.

More about Wade

Prior to his current role, Wade worked supporting correctional education through a university-based program, providing academic opportunities for incarcerated learners.

“This experience required a high degree of adaptability, cultural responsiveness and collaboration across institutional boundaries, including faculty, administrators and correctional staff,” Wade explained.

“It also deepened my understanding of the systemic barriers many students face and reinforced my commitment to inclusive, student-centered practices. Working in this non-traditional educational setting strengthened my ability to uphold academic integrity while navigating complex institutional structures, and it shaped my educational philosophy around the belief that access to education is a fundamental human right,” he added.

ASCEND’s objective

Now that he’s at MSU-WP, Wade’s passion for advocacy will benefit neurodivergent students on campus. “Our goal is to empower students—particularly those on the autism spectrum and within the broader neurodiverse community—by providing the support, resources, and encouragement necessary for long-term success,” Wade stated. “We are committed to helping students develop the skills, confidence, and independence needed to thrive in college, transition successfully into the workforce, and lead fulfilling, self-directed lives into adulthood,” he added.

This year, enrollment in the ASCEND program increased by over 46%. In addition to the increase in students, program officials have hired two new support coordinators: Emilie Brotherton and Sheila Sparks.

“We are thrilled to welcome Emilie and Sheila to the ASCEND Program,” Wade explained. “Their valuable expertise strengthens our team, and we are excited to see how their contributions help propel the program’s mission forward.,” he added.

For more information about the TJ Swift House ASCEND Program, contact Wade at JWade@MissouriState.edu.