Ken Surdin is Professor of the Practice and the founding Director of EXCEL at Georgia Tech’s College of Lifetime Learning. With more than 11 years of service to the Institute, he leads EXCEL, a pioneering four-year, dual-certificate program for students with mild intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The program leads to two Certificates in Social Growth, Academic Enrichment, and Vocational Exploration, equipping students with the skills, confidence, and experience necessary for meaningful employment and independent living.
Under Professor Surdin’s leadership, EXCEL has become a national model for inclusive postsecondary education. His work centers on fostering belonging, expanding access to higher education, and building sustainable pathways that empower diverse learners to thrive within the Georgia Tech community and beyond. His expertise in organizational leadership, fundraising, recruitment strategy, and program development supports the continued growth and long-term impact of the program.
In addition to directing EXCEL, Professor Surdin co-directs the Leadership for Social Good Study Abroad Program. Through this initiative, he partners with local organizations and nonprofits to provide students with immersive, hands-on experiences in social entrepreneurship and community-based leadership.
Prior to joining Georgia Tech, Professor Surdin served as a Public Health Analyst focused on policy at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. His earlier professional experiences include service in the Peace Corps, where he developed environmental programs in Morocco; partnership development and outreach at the Marjorie Kovler Center for Survivors of Torture in Chicago; and direct service roles at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center in New Hampshire, where he supported students with developmental disabilities and complex medical needs in academics, independent living, social skills, and career development.
Professor Surdin’s career reflects a longstanding commitment to inclusion, leadership development, and expanding educational opportunity for individuals with disabilities.