Autumn Grant was born, raised and continues to live in Attleboro, Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Attleboro High School. Autumn received a BA in Humanities with a concentration in Classics from Providence College, graduating summa cum laude and with the Directors Award for Excellence in the Humanities in 1996. She also received a MA in Higher Education Administration from Boston College in 2000. Autumn hopes to begin working on an Ed.D in Higher Education Administration at UMass Boston focusing on college students with disabilities in the fall of 2007.

Autumn currently serves as the Director of the Center for Academic Achievement at Stonehill College. As such, Autumn coordinates services for students with disabilities, runs a college wide tutoring program and a summer program for “at-risk” students. In addition, Autumn advises undecided students and teaches 1-2 classes each semester.

Autumn was diagnosed at the age of 10 with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy; this came as quite a shock since she had been very physically active, especially in dance. In 1996, shortly after graduating from college she started using a wheelchair. Grant soon learned that her wheelchair was actually her key to a more independent life.

Autumn’s hobbies include reading, traveling and spending time with her fiancé Kenny Bergeron and their “babies”, a dog and three cats. Autumn is an active volunteer with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and received a MDA State Personal Achievement Award in 2002. She also serves as a tutor with the Literacy Center in her hometown. In addition, Autumn is involved in many professional organizations and enjoys presenting at regional and national conferences.

As Ms. Wheelchair America 2007, Autumn will promote her platform “Independence through Education”. In her own words, she believes, “The statistics regarding women with disabilities with college degrees, full time employment and those living below the poverty level are startling.” Autumn feels that education is the first step towards obtaining independence and will spend her year working to eliminate barriers keeping people with disabilities from becoming involved in post secondary education. She also hopes to demonstrate that “Independence through Education” is possible by sharing her own personal story with those she meets.