Making Education Accessible: Staff Spotlight on Caitlin Bleything

Caitlin is part of the Office of Student Success, which works in partnership with our Student Advising Department to bring another layer of support to our students. They provide guidance to students in the areas of time management, organization, reading strategies, and academic honesty, as well as work with students who are blind, hearing impaired, or have other disabilities to make sure they have the proper equipment and support to be successful. You can read about one student experience here.

Over the past few months, Caitlin and the Student Success Team have been introducing enhancements to their department. They have recently held a Successful Strategies Webinar series for new students and offer one-on-one appointments for students who need help navigating success strategies to complete their degree program.

“Everyone at CSU Global is ready to jump in and help support our students. The success of our students is at the heart of everything we do!”

Caitlin has always been passionate about supporting others and giving everyone equal opportunity, no matter their situation.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Family Studies and Human Services with a minor in Women’s Studies from Kansas State University. Her first job out of college was as a early childhood educator and then she transitioned to the higher education space, working for her alma mater. During her time working in higher ed at K State and now CSU Global, her role has been supporting students in finding strategies that support their academic success.

Caitlin is also currently working on her master’s in Special Education, emphasizing in Blindness and Low Vision. Her long term career goal is to be a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI). She initially became interested in this profession because her daughter was born with a rare eye condition called Anirdia, which causes her to have low vision.

My long-term career goal is to be a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) . I became interested in becoming a TVI when I began taking my daughter to the Anchor Center for Blind Children.

As part of her studies to become a TVI, Caitlin has been learning braille. She is currently in her second course in Unified English Braille and the Nemeth Code. Not only will learning these skills help Caitlin reach her professional goals and help her family life, but it is all complementing the work she is doing here at CSU Global so she can further support students with disabilities.

Caitlin is from Kansas originally, but now lives in Denver with her husband and 3 and 1/2 year old daughter. They love going on family outings and spending time at the Denver Zoo, Children’s Museum, and Nature and Science Museum. In the summer she loves enjoying the Colorado outdoors through hiking, biking, and white water rafting!

 A quote Caitlin wanted to share for a little inspiration:

“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” E.M. Forster