Purdue Testing Services director Kelsey Jordan has been unanimously appointed as the first chair of the newly established Accessibility Committee for the National College Testing Association (NCTA). This milestone appointment is a testament to Jordan’s unwavering dedication to accessibility in higher education and her years of leadership in testing services.
Jordan has been a longtime advocate for testing environments that are inclusive for students with disabilities. “I noticed that the way accessibility and accommodations were being discussed within NCTA was outdated,” she explains. “I wanted to create a space where we could proactively address accessibility rather than reacting to issues as they arose.”
The NCTA—a professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in testing services and assessment in higher education—serves college and university testing professionals across the country. The organization sets standards for test security, administration, and accessibility, ensuring that students have fair and equitable testing experiences. By fostering collaboration among testing centers, NCTA helps institutions develop best practices that support student success, including those with disabilities who require accommodations.
The idea for the accessibility committee took root at a previous NCTA conference in Chicago, where Jordan encountered a colleague who required real-time captioning but found the event to be inaccessible. This experience reinforced her belief that accessibility needed to be an organizational priority. During the 2023 NCTA conference in Savannah, Georgia, Jordan formally proposed the creation of the Accessibility Committee. Her proposal was met with overwhelming support, and soon after, she was unanimously voted in as its first chair.
“From the beginning, my goal has been to ensure that every space I contribute to—whether at NCTA or Purdue—is as inclusive as possible,” Jordan says. “That means looking at everything from conference accessibility to the documents and resources we produce, as well as the testing environments and policies that impact students every day.”
Jordan is already implementing initiatives to improve accessibility within NCTA. One of her immediate goals is to develop an accessible PowerPoint template for conference presenters, ensuring that all materials adhere to best practices in color contrast, font selection and readability. Additionally, she is working with the NCTA Conference Planning Committee to revise registration processes so attendees can clearly specify their accommodation needs.
“We used to just ask, ‘Do you need accommodations?’ without providing any examples,” Jordan explains. “Moving forward, we want to list specific options—such as professional captioning or wheelchair-accessible buffet tables—so people know what’s available and can advocate for their needs.”
Jordan’s advocacy at NCTA is a natural extension of her work at Purdue, where she has overseen accommodated testing support since 2015. Her philosophy aligns with that “accessibility is a shared responsibility.”
“Every conversation I have at Purdue is about ensuring access,” Jordan emphasizes. “I want to bring that same mindset to NCTA so that accessibility is always part of the conversation—not an afterthought.”
Reflecting on her appointment, Jordan hopes her leadership will leave a lasting impact. “I want accessibility to become second nature for everyone in this field. If people start thinking about it proactively rather than reactively, that’s a legacy I can be proud of.”
Jordan’s vision and leadership are already shaping the future of accessibility in collegiate testing. As she steps into this national role, her work ensures that inclusivity for students with disabilities remains at the forefront—both at NCTA and beyond.
Shree Balasubramaniyan
Communication Assistant for Teaching and Learning, tlcoms@purdue.edu
