The Office of the Provost and the Jackie McLean Fellowship Committee are pleased to announce the 2025–2026 Jackie McLean Fellows.
We are delighted to welcome two distinguished scholars who will join the University of Hartford community as Jackie McLean Fellows in the 2025–26 academic year.
Natalee Cifuentes, College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions (ENHP), Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
Dr. Natalee Cifuentes is a residency-trained and board-certified orthopaedic physical therapist with a strong commitment to health equity and inclusive education. She brings to the fellowship nearly a decade of experience in clinical practice, teaching, and community-based rehabilitation. During her fellowship year, Dr. Cifuentes will teach in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and develop innovative curricula, including a "Medical Spanish" course focused on culturally responsive care for patients with Limited English Proficiency. Her scholarly focus will be on expanding the University’s Pro Bono Student Learning Experience, fostering student development in cultural humility, and engaging Hartford’s underserved communities through equitable, language-accessible care. Dr. Cifuentes’s leadership within the American Physical Therapy Association and her trauma-informed, inclusive approach to care exemplify the values of the McLean Fellowship.
Christopher Abildgaard, College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), Department of Psychology
Dr. Christopher Abildgaard is a nationally recognized scholar in school psychology, mental health counseling, and neurodiversity. With over two decades of experience as a clinician, educator, and consultant, Dr. Abildgaard has already made a significant impact at the University of Hartford as a part-time faculty member. As a Jackie McLean Fellow, he will teach courses in Learning Theories and Neurodiversity, drawing on his constructivist, strengths-based pedagogy. His fellowship year will support the completion of his forthcoming book, Effective Counseling Techniques for People with ASD and Their Families (Routledge), and the development of a campus-based initiative to foster belonging and success among neurodiverse learners. Through his work, Dr. Abildgaard aims to build a more inclusive academic culture that affirms neurological differences and challenges ableist structures in higher education.
About the Fellowship
The Jackie McLean Fellowship honors the legacy of educator, performer, and civil rights activist Jackie McLean. It is designed to support scholars who will advance the academic, intellectual, and cultural competence of our campus community. Fellows contribute to teaching, scholarship, and community-building across departments.
Please join us in congratulating Natalee and Christopher. We look forward to their contributions in the year ahead!