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Lehman Alumna and Faculty Member Named Ms. Wheelchair America
August 27, 2025
Lehman alumna Latavia Sturdivant, a clinical educator and adjunct lecturer in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, has always been a strong force in the disability rights community. Now, as the newly-crowned 2026 Ms. Wheelchair America, her efforts will have even more visibility and impact. Sturdivant, who represented New York State at the competition last week, is using her platform to increase accessibility to education.
“This crown isn’t just about me,” she told WOODTV. “I feel a huge responsibility now to carry on the torch to make sure I amplify these beautiful women’s platforms and more, and even my own, so it’s a huge responsibility for me but one that I’m ready to take on and one that I’ll do proudly and I just can’t wait to see what this journey holds.”
As a student, Sturdivant, who graduated from Lehman in 2014 with a degree in speech pathology, agitated for the installation of more convenient wheelchair-accessible doors and ramps in several campus buildings—which now benefit the entire community. "We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and even more proud of the changes that her voice and advocacy will enable," said Leslie Crusco-Gubler, director Lehman's Clinical Education and Clinical Services at the Speech and Hearing Center.
Ms. Wheelchair America's mission is to provide opportunities for women who use wheelchairs to successfully educate and advocate for the more than 64 million Americans living with disabilities. The competition evaluates contestants' records of advocacy, achievement, communication, and presentation.
Watch Latavia Sturdivant's TikTok video to learn more about her.