Annastashia Blesi honored with “Rising Star” award for leadership in disability services
Blesi has been with Miami University's Miller Center for Student Disability Services since 2021, advancing quickly from Access Coordinator to Assistant Director and distinguishing herself as a strategic thinker, compassionate mentor, and tireless advocate for students with disabilities.
Annastashia Blesi honored with “Rising Star” award for leadership in disability services
Annastashia Blesi, assistant director of the Miller Center for Student Disability Services, was recently awarded the Dr. Lydia Block Rising Star Award by the Ohio Association on Higher Education and Disability (OH-AHEAD). This prestigious honor recognizes emerging professionals who demonstrate passion for disability services, exceptional service, and the capacity to lead in the field.
OH-AHEAD is the Ohio affiliate of AHEAD, the national organization dedicated to creating welcoming higher education experiences for disabled individuals. Named in memory of disability advocate Lydia Block, Ph.D., the award celebrates professionals with fewer than eight years in the field who are already making a significant impact on their campuses and beyond.
Blesi’s impact at Miami has been immediate and lasting. Since joining the Miller Center in 2021, she has advanced from Access Coordinator to Assistant Director, distinguishing herself as a strategic thinker, compassionate mentor, and tireless advocate for students with disabilities.
Among her many contributions to Miami’s disability community, Blesi led the creation of a sensory room in the Miller Center. The space offers students a calming, restorative place to decompress and regulate during stressful moments. She also designed and now teaches a new two-credit course, Introduction to Strategic Learning Tools. The course equips students with self-advocacy tools, stress management techniques, and career planning.
Blesi has a natural talent for crafting programs that affirm disability identity and foster a sense of belonging. She led the planning for the Miller Center’s first end-of-year celebration, now an annual tradition, that honors graduating students with disabilities and their allies. She also blends laughter with learning through one of the center's most popular events, Disability Bingo. The event is a fun and educational program where students can win inclusive and assistive prizes.
“Annastashia is already making a significant mark on our field—and her trajectory is just beginning,” said Dan Darkow, director of the Miller Center. “She is not only a rising star, but a guiding light for others who are learning to lead, support, and dream of a more inclusive and accessible future in higher education.”
Colleagues praise her as an empathetic mentor and inclusive leader. “She’s readily available when I need a second opinion, advice, or encounter something new,” said Chloe VonLehmden, access coordinator for the Miller Center. “She values my perspective as a new professional and regularly seeks my feedback.”
"I am so honored to be recognized with the Dr. Lydia Block Rising Star award," said Blesi. "Listening to the heartful nominations about me was a poignant reminder of the power of dedication, hard work, and empathy."
Blesi's impact reaches beyond Miami University. Blesi serves as professional development co-chair for OH-AHEAD, helping shape professional learning opportunities for disability services staff statewide. She also presents at national conferences including AHEAD, NASPA, and the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity. She is pursuing her doctorate at Miami in the Leadership, Culture, and Curriculum program, with research focused on disability identity development in individuals who acquire disabilities later in life.
