Patrice Henderson

City Colleges alum becomes advocate for accessibility at Olive-Harvey College

It didn’t happen until later in life, but once Olive-Harvey College’s Disability Access Center (DAC) director Patrice Henderson found her passion, she committed herself fully to her profession.

Patrice grew up on Chicago’s South Side and attended Kenwood Academy. Once she completed high school, the mother of one took classes at Daley College and at Olive-Harvey College. From there it was on to Ohio, where she graduated from Central State University with a bachelor’s in history.

Patrice then headed back to Chicago—where she has been ever since—and began a career in social services. It was in 2002, however, when Patrice found her calling: working with individuals with disabilities. This discovery prompted her to pursue more education, so she earned her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from IIT next.

Patrice started as a staff member at City Colleges in 2014 in Wright College’s DAC office. She was eventually promoted to DAC Director at Olive-Harvey College, where she’s been since 2018.

“It’s truly rewarding to turn your passion into a profession and help students who truly need help,” said Patrice. “Plus, it feels right and like it has all come full circle with me working at the same place (City Colleges) where I started my education.”