National Leadership Program, Spring 2018
Richelle Ross
Richelle Ross was a Nonprofit Management Fellow in RespectAbility’s National Leadership Program. She was a second-year student at Pepperdine University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine. Her interest in fighting the stigmas surrounding people with disabilities comes from her volunteer experience in Pennsylvania. She served as a volunteer for the Winter Special Olympics in Pennsylvania where she assisted athletes in completing events. She would like to continue working with and advocating for athletes with disabilities in the future.
In high school, Ross completed a community service project: coordinating a fundraiser to benefit a nonprofit near her hometown that provides social and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities. Through this project, she discovered her passion for advocating for people with disabilities.
Ross also has a passion for sports. She competes in different sports, including soccer, volleyball, snowboarding and track and field. She believes that taking part in recreational activities is a great way to show success beyond the classroom and build lasting relationships with others.
Ultimately, Ross hopes to combine her studies in Sports Medicine with her social advocacy work to create more recreational opportunities for children and adolescents with disabilities.
