BSU has provided me opportunities to step up as a leader and make a difference in the lives of so many people and also make BSU a more accessible place for people of all abilities.
Dom Zullo, ’26, envisions a world where everyone feels welcomed and can thrive. And already he is taking tangible steps to make that happen at Bridgewater State University and across Massachusetts.
“BSU has provided me opportunities to step up as a leader and make a difference in the lives of so many people and also make BSU a more accessible place for people of all abilities,” said the communication sciences and disorders major and music minor from Norfolk.
Dom’s dedication to a brighter future is driven partly by his own experiences. Diagnosed with autism as a baby, he struggled to understand social cues and control his emotions. He made great strides in high school and has continued to grow during his three years at Bridgewater State.
Recently, Dom took his advocacy to the Statehouse, where he testified before the Joint Committee on Transportation in support of a bill to improve communication between police officers and people with autism. The measure would require the Registry of Motor Vehicles to design blue envelopes that can hold an autistic driver’s license, registration and insurance card. The envelopes would also provide police with written guidance for effective communication during traffic stops.
Dom credits a BSU public speaking class and his experiences as a student leader with preparing him to deliver compelling yet succinct testimony.
“It’s given me the opportunity to be more open and more vocal,” he said.
On campus, he works with fellow students and BSU staff to advocate for people with disabilities. He serves as a group leader for the Children’s Physical Developmental Clinic and peer mentor with the EXCEL Program. Dom is also the evening events coordinator for Program Council, a tour guide, and a member of a team that works with BSU’s mascot, Bristaco.
“We’ve made so much progress making those groups more inclusive for neurodiverse people,” Dom said. “Everybody here is so welcoming, so caring, so willing to learn how to interact with people with disabilities.”
He’s especially proud of EXCEL students’ growing involvement in student life. In recent years, these students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities – who might otherwise miss out on a college experience – began crossing the stage at commencement, joining the orientation team and receiving recognition at the annual Impact Awards.
As a result of his positive experiences as a Bear, Dom aspires to work in higher education, where he can continue his mission of inclusivity.
“There’s no better feeling in the world than knowing you made an impact on people’s lives,” he said.
Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.