FAQs

We have been undergoing some programmatic changes during the 2025-2026 academic year. We are excited to welcome Isabel Romero, who is the new Assistant Director and who will have a learning specailist caseload. We will have some new staff for the Fall 2026 semster and will have updated bios and pictures of the team here: Meet the team.

How do I contact my learning specialist?

Email is usually the best way to reach us. Your learning specialist's email is included in your initial appointment meeting!

Who is eligible for the learning specialist program?

The program is only open to students who are officially registered with disability services. If you think the program would be a good fit for you, reach out to your access coordinator to get set up with the accommodation and apply for the program.

Program Enrollment

How do I apply/schedule a first meeting?

If you are already registered with disability services and have the learning specialist accommodation, you should get an email each semester with the enrollment form link. Fill out the enrollment form to sign up for a learning specialist meeting. Our program assistant will reach out to you regarding an initial meeting!

When will I hear back about my enrollment status?

Once you submit your enrollment form, the LS program assistant will reach out to you within 2 weeks either with a scheduling email if there is available times, or notice that you have been placed on the waitlist. Once you are on the waitlist, you will remain on that list until a timeslot opens up with an LS. Please note that due to high student interest in the LSP, waittimes can be lengthy. Please be sure to access the resources offered in the email you receive! We strongly encourage you to take advantage of the body-doubling LSP Community Space Drop-in hours or book a one-time LS Office Hour meeting for specific assignments and questions you may have.

Is there an enrollment deadline?

We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout each semester during our open enrollment periods. To help us maintain accurate records of active participants and up-to-date information, students are asked to reapply each semester.

How do I obtain an enrollment form?

An enrollment reminder email with active links will be sent to all Learning Specialist eligible students one week before the start of each enrollment period (listed below). You may also contact your Access Coordinator or learningspecialist@admin.umass.edu to request a form.

The enrollment periods for AY26-27 are:

Fall 2026 opens on 9/1/26 and closes on 12/11/26
Winter Session 26-27 opens on 12/17/26 and closes on 1/25/27
Spring 27 opens on 1/26/27 and closes on 5/13/27
Summer 27 opens on 5/17/27 and closes on 8/13/27

Meetings and scheduling

How often do I meet with my learning specialist?

Learning Specialist sessions work best when students met with their specialist weekly! We do also have an option for students to meet twice a week or do shorter check-ins with their specialist. We also offer our community space drop-ins twice a week that can act as additional support, and office hours twice a week as well.

How long are Learning Specialist meetings?

Learning Specialist meetings are generally 45 minutes long, although initial meetings may extend a little longer (so we can get to know each other and set goals).

We are also offering additional short check-ins in 20–30-minute increments for students who want to have the ongoing accountability of weekly meetings, but don't need/want the whole 45-minute session. Connect with your LS to learn more!

What happens if I miss a meeting?

Life happens-- we understand that sometimes you may have to miss a meeting. Please contact your specialist in advance of your meeting time (preferably at least two hours in advance) to cancel, then you are all set. If you do not reach out to cancel, and miss more than two meetings in a row, we will move you to "inactive" status so we can give other students a chance to use the time slot. If you decide you want to start meeting again, no worries! Just reach out to your specialist and they can re-activate your status - you don't need to fill out the enrollment form again. Please read the Missed Appointments and Cancellation Policy for more details.

Can I attend meetings remotely?

Yes! We offer zoom meetings for all students. Ask your specialist about scheduling a remote meeting or select that option on the enrollment form.

Do I need to do anything to prepare for my initial meeting?

Nope! You do not have to prepare anything in advance. We just ask that students be open to learning with us, trying some new things, and engaging with us respectfully (this includes notifying us of cancellations, using appropriate language, and respecting any boundaries your learning specialist may set).

Learning Specialist Role

Can a learning specialist contact my professors for me?

Unfortunately, learning specialists cannot contact your professors for you because we are students ourselves! We have this boundary to protect our own student standings and make sure that our rights are protected. We can help you with self-advocacy skills, review emails or other communication with your professors, role play or prepare for meetings with you, and we can connect you with your access coordinator, who is able to contact professors on your behalf.

Are learning specialists academic advisors?

Though we do talk about academics a lot, Learning Specialists are not official academic advisors. We cannot give advice about which classes to take or your specific progress in your major. We do, however, often help students with self-advocacy skills with their advisors. We can help you prepare for meetings with your advisor, talk about your courseload, and brainstorm areas of academic interest if you are considering a major switch.

Can learning specialists change my accommodations?

Learning specialists do not write accommodation letters, so we cannot make changes to your official accommodations. However, we can connect you with your access coordinator, help you interpret or view your accommodations letter, and help you understand what types of accommodations might work for you.