Welcome from the Director
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Massachusetts Center for Inclusive Higher Education and Transition Newsletter!
My colleagues on the Inclusive Education and Transition Team and I are excited to have this platform to keep you informed about our work in promoting inclusive education, secondary transition services, and inclusive postsecondary education—both in Massachusetts and beyond.
This newsletter is designed to keep you connected, informed, and inspired as we work together to improve post-school outcomes for individuals with disabilities. We invite you to engage with us – whether through this newsletter, our upcoming website, or by reaching out directly. Your thoughts, questions, and collaboration are always welcome.
Stay connected with us:
Newsletter – You’re already subscribed!
Website (coming soon!) – A hub for news, resources, and events
Direct email – Contact us anytime at MACenterTA@umb.edu
Thank you for being part of this journey with us!
Maria Paiewonsky, Director
Massachusetts Center for Inclusive Higher Education and Transition
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New Center Announcement!
We’re excited to announce the launch of the Massachusetts Center for Inclusive Higher Education and Transition at the Institute for Community Inclusion, UMass Boston!
While the Center is new, our dedicated team has long been at the forefront of inclusive higher education and transition efforts in Massachusetts. Our mission is to provide professional development, training, and support to families, practitioners, advocates, and partners.
Meet Our Team
Our team brings decades of experience in inclusive education, transition services, and postsecondary access:
- Maria Paiewonsky, Director
- Irina Cain, Transition Manager
- Ashley Luce, Program Manager
- Lori Cooney, Program Director
- Rachel Estremera, Program Coordinator
- Sheila Johnson, Knowledge Translation Specialist
- Nera Wickramaratne, Program Coordinator
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Save-the-Date: June 4, 2025
The Emerging Trends 2025 conference brings together educators, administrators, state reps, and others in Massachusetts to discuss the latest in inclusive postsecondary education. It’s a great opportunity to share ideas, collaborate, and focus on student experiences. This year's conference will be held June 4, 2025, at UMass Boston. Registration opens April 1. This conference is free.
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Brazilian Scholar Mariana Ferraz Begins Internship at ICI
This academic year, Mariana Ferraz, a doctoral candidate from the Federal University of São Carlos in Brazil, is completing a 6-month internship with The Massachusetts Center for Inclusive Higher Education and Transition.
Mariana’s research focuses on empowering teachers to integrate digital technology, like smart phones, into their classrooms to support students with disabilities. During her internship, she is exploring transition services, digital technology, and inclusive postsecondary education.
She plans to use the insights gained during her time at ICI to develop learning modules for teachers in Brazil, further advancing inclusive education practices in her home country.
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Update Your Program Listing for the College Search Directory!
If you haven’t updated your program listing yet, there’s still time! The Think College College Search is the only online directory of college programs for students with intellectual disabilities in the U.S., and they update it annually to provide students and families with the most accurate, reliable information as they begin their college search. By updating your listing, you’re helping students make informed choices about their future. Reach out to Matthew at matthew.mcclellan001@umb.edu for more info.
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UMass Boston Course: Education Coaches and Peer Mentors
Dates: Monday, February 24 – Sunday, March 16, 2025
This free 3-week course* is designed to help education coaches and peer mentors who support students with severe intellectual disability, autism, or other developmental disabilities in college.
Modules include:
- Developing a Support Plan for College
- Supporting Skill Development During a Typical College Day
- Facilitating Friendships and Increasing Social Networks
Contact Irina Cain for more information.
*Registration is limited to MAIPSE staff and partners. Each staff member who completes the training will receive a $300 stipend; stipends are only available for first-time course takers.
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UMass Boston Course: Special Education Administrators and Transition Coordinators
Dates: Monday, February 24 – Sunday, March 30
This free 5-week course* is for special education administrators and transition coordinators who focus on establishing the school policies and practices necessary to offer college-based transition services (CBTS).
Modules include:
- Laying the Foundation for CBTS
- Aligning Policies and Practices for CBTS
- Hiring and Training Staff for CBTS
- Documenting Students’ CBTS
- School-College Partnerships
Contact Irina Cain for more information.
*Registration is limited to MAIPSE staff and partners. Each staff member who completes the training will receive a $300 stipend; stipends are only available for first-time course takers.
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Webinar: Accreditation Insights: Strategies from Accredited Programs
Date: February 26, 2025, 3-4pm ET
Join Think College for a panel discussion with the director of the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council and directors from the first three accredited inclusive college programs. Learn how these pioneering programs prepared, organized, and staffed their teams for a smooth accreditation experience, and gain tips to help you prepare for accreditation.
Presenters:
- Jaclyn Camden, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Christi Kasa, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
- Kelly Kelley, Western Carolina University
- Martha Mock, Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council
- Cate Weir, Think College, University of Massachusetts Boston
Contact Sheila Johnson for more information.
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MAIPSE College & School Liaisons Discussion Series | |
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Topic: Promoting Work-based Learning On and Off Campus
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 3-4pm ET
Join us March 4 for our final MAIPSE* discussion group to share successes, address challenges, and exchange valuable insights.
Contact Maria Paiewonsky for more information.
*Registration is limited to MAIPSE staff and partners
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Annual Awards Celebration: Honoring Excellence in MAIPSE
At the 2024 Annual Emerging Trends Conference, we celebrated the key contributors to MAIPSE's success. The event, with nearly 150 attendees, featured inspiring student presentations and insights from experts. We also awarded four prestigious honors recognizing exceptional dedication in inclusive higher education and advocacy:
- Johanne Pino, Massachusetts Advocates for Children, Unsung Hero
- Susan Mackoul, Cape Cod Community College, College Coordinator Excellence
- Lyndsey Nunes, Westfield State University, Debra Hart Award for Inclusive Higher Education Advocacy
- Yuki Nishizawa, Brookline Public Schools, School Partner Excellence
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Spotlight on Student Voices: Explore College Journey
Students from MAIPSE partner schools took center stage at the "Explore College Journey" session! Through colorful and creative posters, they shared powerful stories of their inclusive college experiences—highlighting the many ways higher education is opening doors.
Explore their posters:
Photo: Jennifer Villa showing off her acceptance letter with Community College program coordinator, Theresa Yurewicz.
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Blog: Reflections from Emerging Trends
Lyndsey Nunes, director of the Westfield State University inclusive college program, reflects on the growth of inclusive higher education in Massachusetts and the impact of the late Debra Hart in her latest blog. She shares her personal journey in the field, the significance of receiving an advocacy award in Debra’s name, and the importance of continuing her legacy. Read her post in the Inside Think College Blog.
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International Collaboration: Brazilian Professor Explores Inclusive Education Practices at ICI
In September 2024, ICI welcomed Professor Annie Gomes Redig from Rio de Janeiro State University in Brazil. During her 2-day visit, Professor Gomes Redig explored innovative transition and inclusive postsecondary education initiatives led by ICI staff.
Maria Paiewonsky and Irina Cain from the Massachusetts Center for Inclusive Higher Education and Transition organized a series of site visits to local programs at UMass Boston, Lawrence High School, the Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport, and Northern Essex Community College.
Lawrence transition specialists Elaine Davey and Elizabeth Hogue presented on insights into high school transition services. Susan Martin, Director of NECC’s Center for Accessibility Resources and Services, and Theresa Yurewicz, MAICEI Coordinator, shared about NECC’s student support services.
This international exchange fostered new connections and reinforced shared commitments to advancing transition and inclusive education worldwide.
Photo: Students from UMass Boston pose with Annie Gomes Redig.
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Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Tech Tip from Lori Cooney, our UDL expert!
Looking to boost creativity and engagement? Try Perchance, a tool for creating randomized content-like stories, Mad Libs, or text adventures. With customizable generators and variables, you can create unique experiences every time—ideal for storytelling and student-focused activities!
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Transition Leadership Program | |
Lead the Way in Transition Education with UMass Boston
Join the movement to empower young people with disabilities as they take the leap from high school to adulthood. The Transition Leadership Certificate at UMass Boston equips professionals to create pathways to brighter futures, fostering skills in employment, college readiness, and independent living.
As one of the first programs accredited by the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Career Development and Transition, the TLP blends five interactive courses with a hands-on practicum. This 18-month online journey prepares participants for national certification and state endorsements, paving the way for professional growth and impact.
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