ACC Staff Spotlight: Wendeth j. Rauf

Wendeth j. Rauf, ACC Assistant Director of Assistive Technology, posing with a pink puppet in a store.

Let's get to know another member of our ACC community. Wendeth j. Rauf is ACC's Assistant Director  of Assistive Technology in our Disability Access Services department. Find out how Wendeth is Moving Mountains at ACC!

Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

Personally-I enjoy cooking, riding motorcycles, traveling, and theater. I have lived in Thailand, Pakistan, Qatar, and Croatia. I enjoy volunteering with theater and immigrant services operations.

Professionally-I have worked officially in higher education since 2018. I've worked in Faculty Development, Instructional Design, teaching, advising, and now disability services. I have a B.A. in Speech Communications, M.S. in Student Development/Higher Ed. Leadership and an M.Ed in Education Technology. Research/presentations I've done include international student services, mass communications, and Universal Design/Accessibility.

What is your job at ACC?

Assistant Director of Assistive Technology

What do you do at ACC (explain your role)?

The other technologists and I work with students, faculty, and some staff to ensure students who have accommodations related to any assistive tech are provided training and support to use the technology for the academic studies. We also work closely with testing and provide training and test remediation. The other technologists and I evaluate and train students to use integrated technology in their courses, check technology to ensure software is accessible according to the needs of our students, and we work with the specialists in our office to collaborate on the needs and services for our students.

How long have you been at ACC?

Since April 2025

Are you a part of any clubs / organizations / committees at ACC or outside of ACC? What are they and why did you choose them?

While my daughter was in high school, I was part of boosters for music and theater. I was the tech coordinator for the theater at her high school, creating an opportunity for students who aren't on the stage, but rather enjoy working behind the scenes, to have a space to participate. I was the "band chef" for the marching band, and established the "trivia night" fundraiser for the choir.

I currently do not belong to official organizations, but volunteer at various places for specific events or activities.

Why did you choose ACC?

It was the job, first. I was very excited about the opportunity to work in Disability Services. I had been working around accessibility since 2016 in my masters program, but it was always on the digital accessibility and course shell side or encouraging students to visit their DSS office.

What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?

Finding solutions for things that aren't working (there are a lot of small things, but they add up).

What is your mountain (ultimate goal)?

Being proactive rather than responsive is a dream. We often just don't get much time because every time we try, something comes up that we need to solve quickly.

What's your favorite ACC memory so far?

This will sound hokey-but it's true

Every time I've collaborated with the technologists and/or the other staff in our office. The team I work with cares about serving the student and supporting the faculty/instructors best we can. We work to create and maintain relationships with departments as well as work to make sure our students are not being bogged down in a lot of back and forth with confusing processes. We don't always win, but we sure keep trying.

Tell us a fun fact about you / Something people may be surprised to find out about you.

I found out I was expecting the day before I was set to try out for the Pakistan Women's Cricket Team.

Top 5 Bands / Musicians

In no particular order:

  • Propaganda
  • Shamoon Ismail
  • Rihonnon Giddens
  • Five Iron Frenzy
  • A whole bunch of Broadway Soundtracks

What is your advice to future and current students at ACC?

Practice asking the questions. In class, for help, from your advisor...the more answers you get, the easier it becomes to ask more questions. Getting answers will make your experience 100X better!

Do you know a student, staff member, faculty member, instructor, or alumni that you would like to nominate for an ACC Spotlight? jessica [dot] horning [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (Let us know!) Or if you would like to be spotlighted on the ACC blog, complete our Spotlight form.

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