Sean Culkin ’17, MS ’22, chose Adelphi because Bridges to Adelphi offered the support he needed as an autistic student.
After struggling at another university and arriving at Adelphi with little confidence, he worked closely with Bridges founder Mitch Nagler, MA ’06. Over time, the program helped Culkin understand his neurodiversity, challenge years of self-doubt and recognize his own capacity to succeed.
That transformation became the foundation of his career. After graduation, Culkin spoke at the opening of Adelphi’s sensory room about autism, self-acceptance and the importance of Bridges. There he met Julian Maha, MD, founder of KultureCity, a nonprofit dedicated to accessibility and inclusion for people with invisible disabilities. Culkin joined the organization while working in clinical cancer research, eventually leaving the laboratory to make disability inclusion his full-time work in 2024.
As KultureCity’s partnerships manager, Culkin develops educational programs, leads community-learning webinars and visits certified locations to help organizations serve neurodiverse guests effectively. He builds partnerships with schools, hospitals, first responders, arenas, cultural institutions and other community organizations. He has also helped make major public events—including the Super Bowl, World Series, the Governors Ball Music Festival and the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration—more accessible for people with invisible disabilities.
Culkin serves on the board of RVC Blue Speaks, which provides scholarships for neurodiverse students, including Bridges students, and competes in marathons and triathlons to raise funds for KultureCity.
Adelphi honors Culkin for turning self-acceptance into advocacy and building a more accessible world where neurodivergent people can participate fully and confidently.
Member of Adelphi University’s 10 Under 10