Will Fried

Grad Student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Master’s Program at Fort Hays State University, Kansas

Will Fried is currently a Grad Student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Master’s Program at Fort Hays State University in Hays , Kansas as well as a Fulbright Alternate to Finland. While being a full-time student he is the Graduate Assistant in the Accessibility Services Office. He Graduated from Salisbury University Magna Cum Laude in May 2020 with a Bachelors Degree in Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution Interpersonal Track.

Will Fried has been a former intern for International disability advocacy organizations TASH, APSE and the City of Salisbury, Maryland Mayors Office under Mayor Jake Day. Will Fried is currently the co- founder of a new cross disability advocacy group called the Equal Access Advocacy Collective, serves on several national and state disability committees which include the TASH Inclusive Education Committee , APSE Public Policy Committee, NASPA Disability Knowledge Community, Kansas Self Determined Transition Taskforce, Kansas Adult Community Advisory Board and serves on the student Diversity , Equity and Inclusion Council at Fort Hays State University.

He has been awarded the 2018-2019 Presidents Diversity Award by Salisbury University President Dr. Charles Wight, Coin of Honor from Mayor Jake Day in June, 2020. In December 2019, he came in first place in the TASH Conference Presentation for the Self -Advocate Category. The presentation was called Clash of Extracurricular Collegiate Life and Disability. In May 2020, he was awarded the A.K Talbot Award by Salisbury University for his commitment to Civil Rights and Community Advocacy. In addition, Will Fried presents and gives talk around the country about disability advocacy, transition for high school students with disabilities, transformational leaders and athletic coaching.

Episode 98: America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusive Employment