Brett Ranon Nachman

Dr. Brett Ranon Nachman is a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Higher Education at the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Educational Foundations, Organizations, and Policy. His research focuses on autism/disability equity, community college access, and LGBTQ+ inclusion in higher education. He co-leads the Spencer Foundation-funded PEACES study, the largest national investigation into autistic college student success. Dr. Nachman holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with prior roles at the University of Arkansas and NC State University’s Belk Center.

His teaching spans qualitative research, community college leadership, and student development theory. He has published 33 peer-reviewed articles in top journals like Teachers College Record and Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Awards include the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award and an ECMC Foundation Fellowship.

Dr. Nachman’s service includes editorial board roles for Journal of College Student Development and leadership in organizations like the College Autism Network. His work bridges research and practice, emphasizing actionable insights for colleges serving underrepresented students.

Grants include $500K from the Spencer Foundation for PEACES, plus roles as PI on studies on autistic community college transitions. He also mentors junior scholars and advises on policy initiatives to improve disability inclusion in education.