Chris Kinney, M.A., M.L.I.S.
Founder, Pathfinder College Disability Consulting

I spent more than 20 years working in higher education disability services, helping students navigate accommodations, documentation, assistive technology, faculty communication, and the practical challenges that can come with attending college with a disability.

Over the course of my career, I worked as a disability services coordinator, assistive technology professional, and administrator. I also hold a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, which gave me formal training in disability, functional impact, advocacy, and helping people identify practical supports and barriers.

My responsibilities included reviewing disability documentation, meeting individually with students, helping determine appropriate accommodations, working with faculty and campus offices, and helping students resolve problems when accommodations or procedures became complicated.

I have worked with students with a wide range of disabilities and support needs, and I understand that no two students approach college in exactly the same way.

I also know the experience from the student side. I used disability accommodations during my own college education, so I understand what it is like to ask for assistance, learn to advocate for yourself, and figure out how to use accommodations effectively while also trying to succeed academically.

That combination of professional and personal experience is why I started Pathfinder College Disability Consulting.

Over the years, I saw many students and families arrive at college unsure of what to expect. Some had received extensive support in high school but were not prepared for how different the college environment would be. Others had accommodations in place but struggled with how to use them, communicate effectively, or manage the responsibilities that came with greater independence.

I created Pathfinder to provide students and families with experienced, practical guidance during that transition.

My goal is not to manage college for the student. It is to help students understand the environment they are entering, prepare for challenges they may encounter, and develop the skills and confidence to advocate for themselves.

I understand the process from both sides of the desk, and I want to help students enter college better prepared to navigate it.

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy history, hiking, and exploring Virginia and the surrounding region. I regularly hike 8 to 10 miles in Shenandoah National Park and am working toward more advanced backcountry hiking, with the long-term goal of section-hiking parts of the Continental Divide Trail.

I’m also a lifelong nerd. I’ve been building my own gaming PCs since 1997, play Magic: The Gathering and a variety of role-playing games, and currently run a long-running Dungeons & Dragons campaign.