Published on July 16, 2026 by Joelle Youngblood  
KultureCity

This spring, the School of Education launched a partnership with KultureCity, the world’s leading nonprofit focused on sensory accessibility. As a result, 100% of students, faculty and staff now receive sensory-inclusive training, making Samford the first university to reach this level of preparation.

The initiative ensures that graduates enter their professions with a shared understanding of how to recognize and support individuals with sensory needs across classrooms, organizations and communities.

“As many as one in four individuals experience sensory processing differences,” said assistant professor of teacher education Hannah Kennedy. “This partnership equips our students to better serve individuals with sensory needs in whatever professional field they choose.”

Students in teacher education and human development and family science (HDFS) will complete the online KultureCity sensory inclusive certification as part of their preparation, gaining practical strategies they can apply immediately in real-world settings.

“It makes sense for our students to be KultureCity certified,” said dean Anna McEwan, “Because they are entering classrooms and organizations where they will serve individuals with a variety of needs.”

By embedding this training across every School of Education undergraduate program, Samford is preparing graduates to lead and serve with greater awareness, compassion and impact.

This story was first published in the summer 2026 issue of Samford magazine. You can read the issue online.

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.