THRIVE Together: Fostering Inclusion, Friendships, and Academic Success on Campus
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Nicole Declouette
Abstract
GC THRIVE is an Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) Program whereby college-aged individuals with intellectual disabilities take GC courses with their non-disabled peers, work in on-campus internships, and develop friendships with their peers. In bringing them to campus, we are focused on providing them with opportunities and experiences that will help them become successful adults after college. This program developed out of many external (e.g., Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities) and internal collaborations (e.g., Continuing and Professional Studies). The impact of this program has the potential to be far reaching, perhaps even farther reaching than traditional service-learning projects. While engaging students out in the community does impact them in meaningful ways, it does nothing to change the institution of higher education. Bringing THRIVE students to campus forces us to look inward as we contemplate these questions. If we truly value diversity and inclusion, what steps are we willing to take to make campuses more diverse and inclusive? What barriers do we need to address? THRIVE impacts each of us personally. THRIVE students learn college-level academic content, intern on-campus to learn work skills, and build true, authentic friendships. Faculty, staff, and students have changed their perspectives of students with intellectual disabilities. The THRIVE Program is one in which everyone stands to benefit as we work collaboratively to make meaningful change.
Start Date
27-3-2024 3:20 PM
End Date
27-3-2024 3:28 PM
Location
Arts and Sciences 2-51
Presenter Information & Abstract
THRIVE Together: Fostering Inclusion, Friendships, and Academic Success on Campus
Arts and Sciences 2-51
GC THRIVE is an Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) Program whereby college-aged individuals with intellectual disabilities take GC courses with their non-disabled peers, work in on-campus internships, and develop friendships with their peers. In bringing them to campus, we are focused on providing them with opportunities and experiences that will help them become successful adults after college. This program developed out of many external (e.g., Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities) and internal collaborations (e.g., Continuing and Professional Studies). The impact of this program has the potential to be far reaching, perhaps even farther reaching than traditional service-learning projects. While engaging students out in the community does impact them in meaningful ways, it does nothing to change the institution of higher education. Bringing THRIVE students to campus forces us to look inward as we contemplate these questions. If we truly value diversity and inclusion, what steps are we willing to take to make campuses more diverse and inclusive? What barriers do we need to address? THRIVE impacts each of us personally. THRIVE students learn college-level academic content, intern on-campus to learn work skills, and build true, authentic friendships. Faculty, staff, and students have changed their perspectives of students with intellectual disabilities. The THRIVE Program is one in which everyone stands to benefit as we work collaboratively to make meaningful change.