April 2022

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Dear Reader,

Welcome to the first issue of the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network's monthly newsletter, Network News. This newsletter will feature updates from the Think College Network as well as news from the field, including upcoming events and opportunities related to inclusive postsecondary education across the US.

The Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network is a national technical assistance and dissemination center focused on expanding inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) for students with intellectual disability. This project will raise public awareness about IPSE opportunities, translate research to practice through training and technical assistance development, and create collaborative workgroups to address existing gaps in services. By further developing regional infrastructure, the Think College Network will also create localized, customizable technical assistance and supports to IPSE program staff, families, students, and transition professionals. Our objective is to support improved access, engagement, and outcomes for students with ID in colleges and universities across the US.

MEET OUR STAFF

Danie Roberts-Dahm, Project Coordinator

Susanna Miller-Raines, Regional Alliances Manager

Valerie Thomas, Project Assistant

Dr. Danie Roberts-Dahm started the new year as the project coordinator of the Think College Network. For over a decade, Danie has worked to build capacity and facilitate a positive secondary transition experience and inclusive college opportunities for students with disabilities. Read more about Danie.

We are thrilled to welcome Susanna Miller-Raines as the new program manager of the Think College Network working with regional and state alliance development. Read more about Susanna.

We are excited to welcome Valerie Thompson as program assistant for the Think College Network. Valerie works closely with our team members to support project coordination. Read more about Valerie.

Visit our website for a complete list of our team members!

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Taking a Regional Approach to Capacity Building


One of the major pieces of the Think College Network is establishing a network of regional alliances to support program and state alliance development. There are currently two established regional alliances, Southeast Postsecondary Education Alliance (SEPSEA) and Midwest Inclusive Post Secondary Alliance (MIPSA). These two alliances will work with the Network to provide technical assistance to additional regions with the goal of establishing regional alliances across the U.S. Regional collaborations are intended to align with local needs, including the unique culture within a geographical region.

Expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Employment Partnership Opportunities via Collaborative Workgroups 


The Think College Network is working with partners to develop two collaborative workgroups focused on expanding CTE opportunities and employment partnerships for students with ID. Both collaborative workgroups are in the process of recruiting and preparing members for initial workgroup meetings. Interested in becoming involved in a collaborative workgroup? Contact us for more info.

The CTE Collaborative Workgroup, led by Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, is bringing together experts in the field, such as national, state and program-level representatives related to CTE to assess current practices as well as to gather existing and develop new resources to support increased CTE opportunities for students with ID.

The Employment Partnerships Collaborative Workgroup, led by the Rehabilitation Research & Training Center at the Virginia Commonwealth University, is bringing together representatives from vocational rehabilitation and developmental disabilities agencies, inclusive postsecondary education program staff and students, employers, and others to address policy and practice barriers and create resources to strengthen pathways to employment for college students with ID.


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May 15, 2022: #IPSEDay


Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) Day, or #IPSEDay, is a day to raise awareness about college options for students with ID. The goal is to spread the word about IPSE programs for students with ID through a variety of social media channels.   

  • #IPSEDay2022 will be on May 15, 2022
  • Watch our website for more info and tools you can use to spread the word about #IPSEDay
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State Alliance Affinity Group


The purpose of this group is to give an opportunity to existing and potential inclusive postsecondary education programs and partners to discuss how and why statewide alliances are important, how to maintain them, and more. Anyone working on any type of formal or informal state-level connection, proposing systems change through alliances and consortia, or who is simply curious about how these alliances can work, is welcome.


NEWS FROM THE FIELD

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We want to hear from you!


Please email us with any news (events, updates, announcements, employment opportunities) to be featured in an upcoming issue of the Network News.


Got great photos? We would love to feature them! 

Submit your photos here.  

Program Planning Funds in Kentucky

There is a now grant opportunity for Kentucky institutions of higher education (IHE) interested in establishing an inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) college program. Applications accepted until May 2, 2022. Visit the Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership website.

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IPSE Technology Access Survey

An IPSE initiative in Pittsburgh is seeking input on how technology access and use has impacted your students’ college experience prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. They created a survey to help inform IPSE programs on how technology can serve as a support or barrier to students with ID. The survey is voluntary and will take about 20 minutes to complete. Responses are confidential, and data will only be reported in the aggregate. Click here to access the survey. Questions? Contact them at pustorinoa@duq.edu or blaskowitzm@duq.edu.

Are you a transition professional or special educator in Massachusetts or New York? 

Have you worked with youth ages 18-22 who have an IDD? The Institute for Community Inclusion, Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong, and Self-Advocacy Association of New York State are conducting a study, and would love to interview you! Read the flyer for info.

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Research Study Seeking Program with 10+ Students with Down Syndrome

A doctoral candidate at Cabrini University is looking for a college/university that has 10+ students who are identified with Down syndrome. The purpose of this study is to explore the support that students receive while attending an inclusive postsecondary education program. Email Lizanne Pando at lp10411@cabrini.edu if your program may be a good fit for this study.

2022 State of the Art Conference

The call for presentation proposals for the 2022 State of the Art Conference on Inclusive Postsecondary Education and Individuals with Intellectual Disability is now open. This conference offers opportunities for college programs, students, families and support organizations to collaborate, network, and engage in meaningful discussions around inclusive higher education. Submission deadline is May 31, 2022.

Learn more and submit a proposal


Do you have a research recruitment announcement you would like us to share in our newsletter? Submit your request using this form.

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Employment Opportunities


Visit the Think College employment opportunities webpage for current IPSE-related job openings across the country.  


Have a position opening? Email us the job title and a link to the job description and application and we will post it.

CALENDAR



MIPSA Professional Development Opportunities

Topic: Micro-Credentialing: Two Perspectives

April 25, 2022 at 10:00 am (CT)

Register here

 

Think College State Alliance Affinity Group

Topic: Think College Network: Regional Alliances 

May 19, 2022 at 3:00 pm (ET)

Register here

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MIPSA Professional Development Opportunities

Topic: Alumni Support

May 10, 2022 at 1:00 pm (CT)

Registration will be forthcoming

Think College Webinar 

Topic: Paying for College: Exploring Possible Funding Options

May 25, 2022 at 2:00 pm (ET)

Register here

2022 SEPSEA Conference

June 23-25, 2022

Auburn, AL

Register here

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2022 State of the Art Conference

October 19-20, 2022

Syracuse, NY

Register here

STUDENT CALENDAR

Virtual Open House

University of South Florida (USF) St. Petersburg’s Eileen Hoffman Hafter UMatter Program

March 30, 2022 at 6:00 pm (ET) 

Virtual

Register here

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College Fair at the 2022 SEPSEA Conference  

June 23, 2022 starts at 5:30 pm (CT)

Auburn, AL

Click for more info

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College Fair at the National Down Syndrome Congress 

June 24, from 3:00-6:00 pm (ET)

New Orleans, LA

Click here to register

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Ruby’s Rainbow Scholarship Application

Now Open!

The Ruby’s Rainbow scholarship application window is now open. Click here for more info


Do you have news or an update to share? It could appear in next month’s Network News. Send submissions to danielle.dahm@umb.edu. 


For more information about the Network News or the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network, contact:

Danie Roberts-Dahm

danielle.dahm@umb.edu 

Project Coordinator

Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network

Institute for Community Inclusion

University of Massachusetts Boston 


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