Caring for critters
Students looking to leverage their love for furry things into a lifelong career have been drawn to Beacon’s anthrozoology program, only one of two such programs in the United States at the bachelor’s level. The program, which started in 2016, has proven popular in the era of climate change and human encroachment on animal habitats, a time when so much of the natural world is in peril. READ MORE
Mindful for mental health
There has been a growing public interest and awareness around mental health over the past decade and that awareness hasn’t escaped college campuses. At Beacon College, that has translated into innovations and a greater range of options for students — many of which could not have come at a better time. READ MORE
Blood, guts, and glory
For 60 seconds between rounds, Beacon psychologist Dr. A.J. Marsden bandages mixed-martial arts athletes so they can survive another blow and stay in the fight. It puts her right in the middle of the thrilling, violent, and enormously popular MMA that boasts millions of fans around the world. READ MORE
Reading aloud
These days, movies starring Marvel Comics superheroes are money in the bank. But in 2019, Beacon humanities professor Dr. William Nesbitt delved into the weirdness behind a flick starring Marvel’s first family, The Fantastic Four, a (relatively) cheap piece of cinema secretly made by B-movie King Roger Corman that was never meant to be released. Now, you can listen to the bizarre tale spun by much of the original cast of the ill-fated movie as Nesbitt's book, “Forsaken: The Making and Aftermath of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four,” is now available on Audible.
Dr. William Nesbitt remotely presented the topic “‘Art Not Thou a Man Like Me?:' Interspecies Masculinity in The Fly and District 9” recently during the Far West Popular Culture Association 34th Annual Conference, which fosters the study of popular culture.
Calvin Sanson, formerly Beacon’s vice president of finance and administration, died on May 24, 2022, in Danville, Virginia where he served as the interim vice president of finance and administration for Danville Community College. He was 76.

Sanson retired from Beacon in 2016 after serving the college for two stretches over 15 years. He “is remembered as an easy-going colleague, even during the fragile days of a young institution,” said President George Hagerty. “He was truly a Beacon ‘original’.” You can read his obituary HERE.
Martial arts mojo
At the Santa Barbara Dojo — a center for martial arts instruction — they know Shanie Healy, '00, for her dedication and inspirational expertise in teaching karate to people of all ages with special needs. Healy’s come a long way since her Beacon College days more than two decades ago when she was still searching for her place in the world. READ MORE
Alumni Updates
Submit your Beacon College alumni updates, news, weddings, births, career changes, etc. for consideration in the next issue of the "Lighting the Path" newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you! EMAIL US
Three Decades of excellence
Limited copies of the Beacon College 30th Anniversary remain available. “Beacon College: The Unique History of a Singular Institution” features 100+ pages chronicling the college’s founding and evolution, its multimodal pedagogy, the social fabric, and the college’s global-leaning advocacy and innovation through narrative and personal reflections. Appendices offer a roll call and class photos of Beacon graduates, a timeline, and a salute to the “Life Abundant.” ORDER TODAY 
On this episode of “A World of Difference,” you’ll meet a mom with learning differences who is walking the journey hand-in-hand with her neurodivergent son. Next, our panel of experts shares wise counsel and helpful tips for multi-generational neurodiverse families. And you’ll meet Avi, our latest “Difference Maker,” who turned the page on a writing-focused learning disability by cranking out award-winning children’s books. Click the image to watch.
An NPR and MSNBC culture critic. A National Book Award finalist. A world traveler who is known for venturing into the most obscure spaces. A Pulitzer Prize winner.
Vampire murders. Women poisoners. Oh my!
We're pretty excited and we hope you're also stoked about the line-up for the 2022-23 Beacon Salon Speaker Series. Check it out and REGISTER TODAY.
Looking for a job or looking for a change? Join our community at Beacon College, America’s first accredited baccalaureate dedicated to educating neurodivergent students. Serve your career goals and serve a great mission at an institution with great opportunities. New jobs are posted regularlyAPPLY NOW ONLINE
Stay Up to Date
Keep up with the latest COVID-19-related schedule and policy changes by monitoring the Beacon College COVID-19 Information Center. CLICK HERE
“You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be.”
Marianne Williamson