When you think about Texas A&M University, a few things might come to mind. 

Maybe it's college football, storied traditions or the sheer size of the student population. Perhaps it’s the renowned academic departments, designation as an R1 research institution or the Corps and its military history. There are many things that make up Texas A&M’s identity and imprint this university on the hearts of Aggies forever.  

For the Department of Disability Resources within the Division of Student Affairs, what comes to mind when thinking about all the things that make Texas A&M unique is framed a little differently. What comes to mind is not a statement, but rather, a question: how can they make the renowned student experience at Texas A&M accessible for as many Aggies as possible? 

The vision behind this question is simply put, the existence of a "campus community in which students with disabilities are equal members without barriers." It's a vision that has its challenges, yet is fueled by optimism, determination, and dedication of the staff who tirelessly work to achieve it.

However, the strain on Disability Resources to undertake this vision has grownquite significantly over the past few years. Since 2021, the utilization of the department’s Testing Center is one area in particular that has seen a sharp increase.

The Growing Need

After years of operating in a modular building, Disability Resources opened their first officespace and testing center designed and built specifically for their department in the Student Services Building in 2020. It was a huge win for the team, but what they didn’t expect was to outgrow that space within three years.

In 2023, the number of students registered with Disability Resources continued to climb, and testing rooms were maxed out. To meet the demand, students were overflowing into rented conference rooms across campus. As the need for testing accommodations grew, Disability Resources staff, volunteer test proctors and faculty also felt the strain.

By 2025, the numbers painted a clear picture of the growth happening. The department experienced a staggering 68% percent increase in administered tests over the last four years, indicating it was time to expand, again.

Dr. Kristie Orr, the director of Disability Resources, notes that this trend was happening on a national scale as well. 

“The growing need to serve more and more students with both visible and invisible disabilities happening at Texas A&M is something we have seen across the U.S. For many different reasons, there are more students with disabilities on college campuses. There’s less stigma and also different mental health needs. We’ve seen more and more students with chronic health conditions. And there is also the thought that more students are getting what they need in K-12, so they can actually make it to college, which is amazing.”

The Numbers

• 6,162 – 6,162 students, or nearly 8% of the student population, were served by Disability Resources in Spring 2025
• 31,981 – tests were administered by Disability Resources during the 2024-2025 academic year
• 68% – increase in tests administered by Disability Resources over the past four years
• 219 – total seats for accommodation testing with the new West Campus Testing Center opening
• 50 – years of serving Aggies at Texas A&M University

The Response

After three years of nonstop growth, fall 2023 brought good news for Disability Resources. President Welsh's supplemental studies, including Space Allocation, Student Experience, and Capacity studies, recognized the need for expanded testing center services, and a plan was put in place to make it happen.

A collaborative effort between the President's Office, Provost's Office, and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs brought the new testing center space to life.

Space for the new testing center was identified in the West Campus Library, which was a strategic choice to bridge the gap with services for students whose classes are mainly in that area of campus, including students in Mays Business School, Agriculture & Life Sciences, Public Health, the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

The Space

Finishing renovations and expansion preparations, Disability Resources officially unveiled its new Testing Center on August 19, 2025. The former open-access lab in the West Campus Library is now ready to serve Aggies, doubling Disability Resources' testing accommodation space. The new space has been completely repurposed and updated with state-of-the-art equipment and is a testament to the vision of Disability Resources.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony this August, notable partners in opening the new testing center space gave their remarks — and the themes that underscored each speech were the students served, educational access as a fundamental part of Texas A&M's identity as a land-grant institution, and that inclusion in the Aggie family cannot be compromised. 

Both Provost Dr. Alan Sams and Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Bill Kibler mentioned their personal experiences advocating for their children with disabilities and how that has affected their views of accessibility.

The speakers each commended the Disability Resources team as the staff members who see and meet the needs of students that many others commonly overlook.

“The word that describes the opening of this new testing center is partnership. Not only the partnership across the University to secure the funding and execution to make this space a reality, but also the partnership between faculty, staff and students that happens everyday. For students who need testing accommodations, this partnership is key to help assure everyone has an equal opportunity for success. That’s really what this is all about,” said Dr. Kibler.

The Students

For the more than 6,000 Aggies who were supported by Disability Resources last year, the dedication of staff made all the difference. Testing accommodations are only one piece of the puzzle in the services offered by Disability Resources, as they provide a range of support for students with both visible and invisible disabilities, which is crucial to creating an academic playing field where every student can thrive.

In the Division of Student Affairs, when we think of Disability Resources at Texas A&M, we think of the countless student trajectories that are impacted for the better. When you speak with the students who access services through Disability Resources, it quickly becomes clear just how impactful their work is.

Seona Helmi '25 and Sydney Horak '26 shared how Disability Resources helped them get the accommodations they needed, and so much more. Both students described the support they received from staff for testing accommodations and beyond as making them feel seen, championed, and confident that they could succeed at Texas A&M.

Seona Helmi '25 | Biology Major from Austin, TX

"At a school as big as Texas A&M, you can feel like a number, but Disability Resources helped me get my needs met. The biggest thing staff here have taught me is that we're more than a test, and I've seen and felt the care they have for me and other students.

I'm so excited for the expansion of the testing center to West Campus because the staff will have the capacity they need to help accommodate and care for students in the dedicated way they want to. From what I've seen, as class sizes have gotten bigger, people are definitely more strained."

My plans after graduation: "I want to move forward and apply the knowledge I've learned here and implement this into my career and life. I plan to travel, work on an ayurvedic farm, and eventually apply to medical school."

Sydney Horak '26 | Business Honors, Accounting, and Management Information Systems (MIS) from West Columbia, TX

"Disability Resources has not only provided me with the tools and resources needed to be successful in my academic journey but has also given me a community that leads with love. The support and inclusivity I have experienced through Disability Resources have made a significant impact on my time at Texas A&M, allowing me to focus on my education while knowing I have a strong network behind me.

I am extremely excited about the new testing center on West Campus! This will be a major asset for both Texas A&M students and staff. As a student at Mays, I spend 99% of my time on West Campus, so having to travel to Main Campus for exams presents logistical challenges. A testing center on West Campus will eliminate these extra obstacles, making the exam process much more efficient and improving the experience for students, staff and faculty."

My plans after graduation: "After an amazing internship experience at PwC, I'm excited to work for a Big 4 accounting firm! Beyond my professional career, I plan to continue my advocacy journey to inspire others and show them that they should never let their limitations be their limit. I'm passionate about making a difference and helping others see their potential, regardless of the challenges they may face."

To learn more about how Disability Resources serves students at Texas A&M, visit their website.