Dan Darkow remembered for his passion of ‘ensuring access for all students’
The director of the Miller Center for Student Disability Services was a tireless advocate for accessibility and inclusion at Miami University
Dan Darkow remembered for his passion of ‘ensuring access for all students’
Dan Darkow MA ’17, who served as a tireless advocate for accessibility and inclusion as director of the Miller Center for Student Disability Services at Miami University, died on Feb. 11. He was 32.
The Cleveland area native joined Miami in 2015 as a graduate assistant in the Office of Residence Life and went on to lead institutional efforts to strengthen accessibility and inclusion for students with disabilities.
“Dan's leadership and generosity and his commitment to ensuring access for all students will continue to shape Miami’s work for years to come,” said Jen O’Brien, director of communications for Student Life.
Darkow touched many lives at Miami and was “deeply committed to ensuring that every person on this campus felt seen and supported,” she said. He also was an adjunct instructor in Miami’s Disability Studies program, contributing to the academic exploration of disability as a sociopolitical and cultural identity.
His mother, Barbara Lease Darkow ’80, M.Ed. ’83, said her son was a fourth-generation Miamian behind his great grandmother, grandparents, and her. His sister, Sarah, and brother, James, are graduates and are both Miami Mergers.
Becoming director in 2024
Darkow served in various roles at the university from 2015 until 2023, including as assistant director of the Miller Center from 2020 to 2023.
He left Miami for nearly a year to serve as director of the Office of Disability and Testing Services at Cleveland State University before returning in April 2024 to lead the Miller Center.
Darkow and his service dog Kismet (who he was partnered with after saying goodbye to his beloved Julep, who lived to be nearly 11) were a familiar sight out on campus. Kismet is “gently adjusting” and currently residing with his family in Avon Lake, his mother said.
Darkow was thrilled to return to Miami.
“My time away was everything I needed, and when the prospect of returning home became a reality, I followed my heart,” he wrote in a 2024 LinkedIn post. “I was challenged in ways I needed to be a better person and leader, and I’m incredibly excited for what lies ahead.”
Darkow added, “Kismet and I have been on the move — pushing forward with intention and heart. The work is challenging — but the impact is undeniably worth it. Here’s to year two and continuing to lead with access, equity, and purpose.”
A year later, he posted on LinkedIn again.
“One year back at Miami is in the books and I couldn't be more grateful!” he wrote, adding that the past year had been filled with purpose, progress, “and an incredible team that inspires me daily. Together, we’ve launched: innovative access practices, streamlined our affiliation process to better support students, (and) created impactful education and community-building opportunities.”
Enhanced elevator accessibility
Darkow is credited with advocating for enhanced elevator accessibility in Shriver Center, Armstrong Student Center, and the Cleveland Clinic Health Sciences and Wellness building.
During fall semester, popular influencers Shane and Hannah Burcaw spoke on campus and later posted a glowing review and video spotlighting Miami’s accessible “foot button” elevators.
Darkow said he was genuinely shocked.
“I had no idea they had captured that video while visiting and was excited to see how they appreciated the intentional design we brought to campus,” he said.
Darkow earned a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Wright State University and a master’s in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Miami.
At the time of his death, he was pursuing a doctorate with research interests focused on disability services in higher education and the cultivation of a campus-wide culture of access.
Beyond Miami, Darkow contributed to disability advocacy and higher education initiatives through nonprofit and professional association work. He served on the board of directors for NMD United, an international nonprofit organization led by and for adults with neuromuscular disabilities.
He was president-elect for Ohio AHEAD, the state chapter of the Association on Higher Education and Disability. As a consultant, Darkow partnered with colleges and universities across the country to improve service delivery and operational efficiency through the strategic use of disability services technology.
Jayne Brownell, senior vice president for Student Life, reflected on the impact that he had on the Miami community, as a leader, mentor, advocate, colleague, and friend.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever met someone as determined to pack so much life and meaning into his time as Dan,” she said. “We should all strive to live with that much sense of purpose and joy.”
A celebration of life
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Berry-McGreevey-Martens Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Westlake, Ohio, and from 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Bethesda on the Bay Lutheran Church in Bay Village, Ohio.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Bethesda on the Bay Lutheran Church. A social gathering will follow immediately after the service at Bethesda on the Bay with light bites and refreshments (with plenty of Diet Pepsi, Darkow’s favorite).
A celebration of life will also be held on the Miami campus later this semester.
The Dan Darkow Scholarship Fund has been established to honor his memory and his contributions to disability access at Miami.
“Dan lived his life with a clear vision to educate and empower others,” his parents, Jeff and Barbara Lease Darkow, said via email. “He had an innate ability to communicate and connect with anyone. He lived his life with passion, purpose, and determination."
