2/17/26

Photo and story by Rory Moore, FHSU University Communications 

HAYS, Kan. - At Fort Hays State University, support means meeting students where they are - and helping them thrive from there. For neurodivergent students, that support can make all the difference.

Through Health and Wellness Services and Student Accessibility Services, Fort Hays provides individualized accommodations, one-on-one guidance, and a growing peer community designed to help students succeed both academically and personally. One of those spaces is Tigers Without Limits, an inclusive support group open to students who want to build communication skills, connect with others, and feel understood.

The group offers a relaxed, welcoming environment where students can share experiences, practice social skills, and form friendships with peers who understand similar challenges.

“We really aim to make sure it’s inclusive for neurodivergent students,” said Madison Boydson, accessibility graduate assistant. “We want it to be a place where they feel safe and supported. Our goal is to make their journey at Fort Hays easier and more directed toward them, whether that’s academically, socially, or personally.”

Students begin by meeting with staff to discuss their challenges and goals.  From there, the team works one-on-one to build tailored plans that may include testing accommodations, structured schedules, study strategies, or regular check-ins. Boydson said the individualized approach is one of Fort Hays’ biggest strengths. 

“With us being a smaller university, we really get to know our students,” she said. “We can sit down with them, listen to what life looks like for them, and figure out what’s actually going to help. Bigger universities might not always have the time or staff to give that level of attention.”

For Amanda Wagner, a senior marketing major diagnosed with autism and ADHD, those resources have been transformative. 

“The Health and Wellness Center has helped me tremendously,” Wagner said. “I come in regularly to update my accommodations and talk through what I need, and they’re always willing to listen. This group has helped me realize I’m not the only one on campus going through these things.”

As a nontraditional student returning to college years later, Wagner says the difference is clear. 

“When I first went to college years ago, these conversations weren’t happening,” she said. “If resources existed, they weren’t advertised. Here, it’s different. It’s part of the culture. People care, and they want you to succeed. Without accommodations, I would really be struggling right now, so I owe a lot of my education to this department.”

Stacy Cole, a graduate student in clinical psychology diagnosed with ADHD and PTSD, echoed that sentiment. She credits Fort Hays’ smaller class sizes and accessible faculty with helping her succeed. 

“My biggest class was about 30 students, and that made such a difference,” Cole said. “It’s easier to ask questions, talk with professors, and actually feel supported. The campus is very open about accessibility, too. They make sure students know help is available, and they genuinely want you to be the best you can be.”

For Cole, that sense of support goes beyond academics. 

“Knowing there’s a place you can go where people understand you - where you don’t have to explain yourself or feel different - that changes everything,” she said. “It makes you feel like you belong here, and when you feel like you belong, you can actually focus on succeeding.”

Tigers Without Limits meets every Thursday on the third floor of the Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. For more information or to request accommodations, visit https://www.fhsu.edu/health-and-wellness/accessibility/.