At Arizona State University’s spring 2025 commencement, Suzette May walked the stage not only as a graduate but as a changemaker. By her side was Fred, her German shepherd Seeing Eye Dog, symbolizing both her personal journey and her commitment to transforming lives through advocacy and research.
At 56, May earned her degree in disability studies from ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. She also graduated with honors through Barrett, The Honors College — a distinction that reflects her academic excellence and determination to create lasting impact.
A Journey Decades in the Making
A first-generation college student from Waco, Texas, May returned to complete her undergraduate degree more than 30 years after she first enrolled. What made her path even more remarkable was her perseverance through progressive vision loss.
“I decided, at age 54, to go back and finish my undergraduate degree from 30 years ago,” May shared. “This time around, while going through progressive vision loss.”
Despite the challenges, May’s resolve never wavered. At Barrett, she found an environment that nurtured her academic goals and fueled her passion for change.
“Barrett was the perfect place to land and expand my college experience,” she said. “Through my honors classes and close work with instructors on my research project and thesis, I was able to dive deeper into my field. It truly added so much depth to my degree and my whole college experience.”
From Reluctant Student to Honors Graduate
May never imagined herself as an honors student. Yet, with encouragement from faculty who recognized her potential, she embraced the opportunity.
“I was never a great student before, so I couldn’t imagine ‘honors’ would be attached to anything I did,” she recalled. “But learning to do things non-visually, paired with a phenomenal German shepherd Seeing Eye Dog named Fred, were the beginnings of independence, success principles, and running hard toward your goals and dreams.”
With Fred by her side, May tackled a critical issue through her thesis: a research project addressing real-world challenges faced by individuals with visual impairments. Guided by Barrett faculty and supported by field experts, her work delivered meaningful insights that will contribute to ongoing research and solutions.
“I firmly believe we need more people with disabilities involved in research,” she said. “Because of Barrett, I was able to take a real-world problem and explore a part of the issue in ways that matter.”
Beyond Graduation: A Voice for Accessibility
May’s impact already extends far beyond ASU’s campus. As an accessibility consultant, she works across Texas and nationally, lending her expertise to statewide and federal committees focused on disability advocacy and inclusion.
Her plans after graduation are ambitious and clear: continuing her graduate education while expanding the advocacy and research initiatives she began at ASU.
Suzette May’s story is not only one of academic achievement but of resilience, leadership, and vision — in every sense of the word. With Fred at her side, she has proven that obstacles can be transformed into opportunities to create lasting change.
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