Raghavan Neurodiverse Fund aims to support neurodiverse Barrett Honors College students

Vishnu Raghavan and his family knew Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University was the place for him to thrive when they first saw it.

“When we walked into Barrett, we said okay, this is it. It doesn’t matter what major he takes at ASU. He can be in any major he wants as long as he gets into Barrett because it just felt so much like home, like a home away from home. We knew he would be safe there,” Vishnu’s mother, Uma Raghavan, said.

Vishnu, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, did thrive at ASU with assistance and support for neurodiverse students offered by the university and Barrett Honors College. 

He graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science with honors in 2023. He currently is working on a master’s degree in global, international and comparative history focusing on European history at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Having witnessed first-hand the ways neurodiverse students like Vishnu can benefit from intentional support at the university level, the family has established the Raghavan Neurodiverse Fund.

The fund is meant to support neurodiverse students in Barrett Honors College through academic engagement and workshops that specifically focus on enhancing executive management, study skills and socialization. Additionally, the fund also may provide thesis support for neurodiverse students or students engaged in thesis research on neurodiverse topics.

Vishnu's academic journey began in his early years, when he did well throughout elementary and high school with assistance such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, organizational and social skill training, classroom aides, and small class sizes.

He excelled academically and was involved in high school marketing and geography competitions but, when it came to where he would attend university, he and his family had some trepidation.

“We were really worried initially and thinking where can we send him to college where he can thrive like that?”, Uma said, explaining the family’s concerns about support and services for neurodiverse students at the university level.

After touring the ASU Tempe campus, the Raghavans, who live in Seattle, Wash., were confident ASU and Barrett Honors College were the answers to that question.

They liked that ASU had the resources of a large university, including programs to assist neurodiverse students, while Barrett had the support, social connections and community of a liberal arts college, as well small honors courses and an opportunity to complete an honors thesis. 

Vishnu received a full scholarship through the Next Generation Service Corp. and was accepted into Barrett Honors College, which helped solidify his decision to become a Sun Devil.

“I decided to attend ASU and Barrett because I was really impressed when I did a tour. I also thought that the Barrett Human Event courses would be very interesting because they focus on how to think deeply on philosophy,” Vishnu said.

“And the idea of an honors thesis seemed interesting because I could create my own path. That was a factor in my decision. I will also say that I was very impressed with the dining hall in Barrett at the Tempe campus,” he added.

Vishnu availed himself to services and support for neurodiverse students and made the most of his time as an ASU honors student by participating in undergraduate research and completing an honors thesis.

A highlight of his undergraduate experience was the “Crossroads of Civilization: Barrett in Spain and Morocco” summer honors study abroad program led by Barrett faculty members Alex Young and Mathew Sandoval.

While on that trip in 2022, Vishnu and Young walked together for 12 miles on the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrim route that converges at the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain, making for an opportunity for free-flowing conversation and student-professor bonding. 

“We are very, very grateful for ASU, and Barrett in particular, because Vishnu thrived there with his honors contracts, The Human Event, the thesis work he did with the Founders Lab, and support he found there,” Uma said.

Barrett Vice Dean Kristen Hermann said many colleges and universities are increasing the number and scale of programs designed for neurodiverse students, specifically support with academics, social skills, career pathways and connection to employers. 

“At ASU, we have experts in Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services (SAILS) that help students, as well as students themselves and allies in Barrett and across ASU, that raise awareness through programs that build a strong sense of community for many of our neurodiverse students, and the Raghavan Fund will help with these efforts,” Hermann said.

“Barrett families are vital to our community, and that connection can extend long after their student has graduated. The Raghavans are wonderful examples of that, and the fund they’ve created will provide meaningful support for many future Barrett students,” Barrett Dean Tara Williams said.