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Huge News: First IPSE Program is Accredited in the US
The Western Carolina University UP Program is the first inclusive postsecondary education program in the country to be accredited by the newly established Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council (IHEAC). Read more about WCU’s accomplishment here, and the IHEAC in this article.
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Think College teammate joins MassCUE board!
We are excited to announce Lori Cooney was recently appointed to a 2-year term on the MassCUE Board of Directors. Lori has been a long-standing member and contributor with MassCUE, having served as a Champion and 2012 MassCUE Pathfinder award recipient.
MassCUE is Massachusetts' leading organization for educators passionate about digital teaching and learning, and as the state affiliate of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), MassCUE plays a crucial role in promoting best practices in integrating technology in education. Lori is a program director of curriculum design and inclusive education at the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston.
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TPSID Report Publications are Now Available
Every year we produce a report based on data gathered from the TPSID model demonstration projects. This report includes info on program and student characteristics, including academic access, course enrollments, employment activities, engagement in student life, outcomes for exiting students, and more. There are also executive summary and highlights documents available.
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More New Publications!
Overview of TPSID Initiative
Looking to help others understand what a TPSID is? This handout provides information on how the TPSID initiative supports the development and expansion of programs for students with intellectual disability, and the impact those programs have on students, faculty, and the field of higher education.
Overview of NCC
Wanna learn a bit more about our work? This document gives an overview of the work of the Think College National Coordinating Center (NCC) to expand college opportunities for individuals with intellectual disability (ID) through: coordination and evaluation of Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSID) programs; technical assistance; and resource development and dissemination. Outcomes of NCC work from 2010 - 2023 are also included.
Overview of TC Inclusive Higher Education Network
Our newest center is making a difference! Read this overview about the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network’s activities to build awareness and capacity for college options for students with intellectual disability (ID) through: public awareness campaign activities; translating research into practice; and creating strategic partnerships.
Collaborating with Employers: Tips for Successful Partnerships
While supporting students in getting a job is important, support doesn’t stop once the student gets a job. This resource explains the various roles of job coaches and tips on how to build collaborative partnerships with employers.
Community Life Engagement on the College Campus
Community life engagement (CLE) refers to people accessing and participating in their communities. This resource shares ways college and university staff can facilitate the development of natural campus connections and support for students with ID.
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IPSE Day
On May 1, 2023, we invited everyone we know to flood the internet with images, statements, videos, and more sharing why they support inclusive postsecondary education, or IPSE– and they did! Hundreds of students, parents, higher education faculty and staff, and friends shared reasons (see below!) why IPSE is important. There were even two governors and one mayor who made Proclamations marking May 1 as IPSE Day!
Here's just a few of the reasons students and others gave:
- College is a pathway to employment.
- Everyone should have the choice to go to college.
- It taught me how to be independent and I love college.
- College is where we learn and grow.
- Learning shouldn’t be limited by disability labels.
- IPSE supports living, learning, earning!
- I got to experience the life of a college student and have friends who [accept] who you are!
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Want to see more reasons?
Check out #IPSEDay2023, #IPSEDay, and #IPSE on Facebook and most other social media channels.
Missed the chance to share? It's never too late. Post and tag your reason today!
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Spanish Resources on ThinkCollege.Net
We are so excited to announce the launch of a new resource page in Spanish. You’ll find lots of resources for family members of students with intellectual disability who are thinking about college. Visit the new webpage today! www.ThinkCollege.net/espanol
Estamos muy emocionados de anunciar el lanzamiento de una nueva página de recursos en español. Encontrará muchos recursos para familiares de estudiantes con discapacidad intelectual que están pensando en la Universidad. Visite la nueva página web hoy!
www.ThinkCollege.net/espanol
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College Fair at the National Down Syndrome Congress Annual Conference!
College and university programs at accredited community colleges, technical colleges, colleges, or universities – you have a great opportunity to share information about your program with over 2500 attendees at the NDSC Convention, July 21 in Orlando, Florida. The College Fair is slated to be bigger and better than ever this year, and we hope you can join Think College there! Deadline to apply is June 1 - all the info you need is on the NDSC website.
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Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSID) | |
Final TPSID Road Trip for this school year!
Our tour of TPSID programs took us to the northeast in April to visit University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH, Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey and St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. We continue to learn so much about promising practices during our visits. Talking directly with students, faculty, peer mentors, and program staff is a valuable and educational experience! Pictured are staff from Bergen Community College and Think College.
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Think College Affinity Groups | |
Think College hosts professional development Affinity Groups on topics related to higher education for students with intellectual disability. Below are upcoming meetings and links to registration pages. Sign up to receive email updates and announcements via this Google Form. | | |
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Early Career Researchers
May 18, 1:00-2:00pm ET; Zoom registration
Topic: Collaborative research
State Alliances
May 25, 3:00-4:00pm ET; Zoom registration
Topic: Working with State Boards of Regents for Higher Education
Employment Partnerships
May 30, 2:00-3:00pm ET; Zoom registration
Topic: State alliances supporting employment partnerships
Career and Technical Education
June 6, 3:00-4:00pm ET; Zoom registration
College-based Transition Services
June 8, 2:00-3:00pm ET; Zoom registration
Technology and UDL
June 15, 3:00-4:00 pm ET; Zoom registration
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Emerging Advocates Student Group | |
Other Think College Project News | |
Now Accepting Applications: Earn Your Transition Leadership Certificate Online
UMass Boston offers a transition leadership certificate that focuses on the transition from high school to adult life for young people with a wide range of disabilities. It’s designed for teachers and those with a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, school guidance, school adjustment counseling, or school social work seeking advanced training in postsecondary planning.
The program is an excellent way for special educators and VR counselors from across the nation to broaden their abilities and to place their work in a wider context. The certificate is also approved by the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Career Development and Transition.
The program is now accepting applications for the 2023 cohort. Contact Nancy Hurley, TL program coordinator, at [email protected].
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What do program alumni say?
“I found this program to be extraordinarily helpful in my work as a transition counselor, the material relevant and current, and the instructors highly responsive and knowledgeable. I strongly recommend this program to special educators who seek to implement positive change in their districts and to advance their skills and expertise supporting students with their postsecondary planning.”
~Brendan McCarthy, transition specialist and Bridge Alliance teacher at Brookline High School
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“Think Higher. Think College." campaign is off to a great start!
Last month, Think College Network successfully launched the new “Think Higher. Think College.” public awareness campaign during Think College Awareness Week. Here’s the week by the numbers:
- Over 1,300 students, families and educators registered for the week of events.
- Over 600 people participated live throughout the week.
- 388 Local and national outlets published our press release on their site.
- Over 250 partners, allies, and friends shared the campaign materials through their networks.
If you missed any part of the week, you’re in luck! The campaign video is right on the homepage at www.thinkhighered.net, all event recordings are available for viewing here, and numerous resources are listed by audience (e.g., families & students, teachers, and higher education professionals). And if you’re looking for ideas about how to share with YOUR network, check out this dissemination & social media guide.
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Learn more about our other projects:
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AUCD 2023 Conference: Call for Proposals are Open!
Proposal Submission Deadline: June 20, 2023
The AUCD 2023 Conference will be held Nov. 5-8 in Washington, DC. This year’s theme of Emerging Leaders: Shaping the Future recognizes and focuses on the thousands of Emerging Leaders that we welcome to the AUCD Network each year and how they continue to propel our Network forward, positively shaping the future. Have a proposal? Submissions are due by June 20. Sign up to be a reviewer by June 9.
AUCD Network Narratives: “Advocating for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) with Blake Perry"
In this latest episode of AUCD Network Narratives, Jeiri interviews disability advocate Blake Perry on the impact of home and community-based services and how many services available today do not live up to the intent of the settings rule, which leaves many individuals underserved and without control over their lives and services. Listen now to learn more about the HCBS Settings Rule.
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2023 AHEAD Master Classes
Minneapolis, MN, May 22-24
AHEAD’s advanced professional development event for highly experienced higher education personnel who work to ensure accessible campus environments. Learn more.
2023 AHEAD Annual Conference
Equity & Excellence: Access in Higher Education
Portland, Oregon, July 17-21
An in-person professional development and networking event. Presenters and participants from diverse fields, including education, technology, law, scholarship, and government will be in attendance. Learn more.
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Stay Connected with Think College! | | | | |
