Lehigh Times

awiener@lvjcc.org issued the following announcement on Nov. 15.

Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) and Millersville University have signed an agreement that provides a unique opportunity for students with intellectual disability to achieve academic credentials. The agreement is the first of its kind in the country and provides a smooth path for LCCC students in its Cross-Institutional Studies certificate to transfer to Millersville’s Integrated Studies.

 

LCCC’s Cross-Institutional Studies program is designed to help college students develop specific employability skills for entry level positions. Students can take courses in a variety of electives and in one of seven career focus areas including art, hospitality, health, general trades, educational support, technology and science. LCCC coursework and credits will transfer seamlessly to equivalent classes at Millersville.

 

Millersville University’s Integrated Studies is a two- or four-year inclusive college initiative for young adults with an intellectual disability. This unique program is the next-step college experience for students who complete LCCC’s revolutionary certificate program.

 

LCCC and Millersville have worked together to provide opportunities for students with intellectual disability to be fully immersed in higher education. This articulation agreement complements the college’s existing SEED (Success, Engagement, Education, Determination) career track, and was developed with funding from the Pennsylvania Inclusive Higher Education Consortium. This highly successful program is in its sixth year at LCCC and has a retention rate of 81% with a completion rate of 69%.

 

“There is a growing need for inclusive higher education programs for students,” says LCCC President Dr. Ann D. Bieber. “We are honored to be able to work with Millersville to provide students with opportunities for a college experience so they can be prepared to pursue their career interests. Millersville has been a trailblazer in this area, and LCCC students will no doubt benefit.”

 

“Millersville is pleased to be a part of this agreement, which will make opportunities real for students who have been marginalized. We welcome graduates from LCCC to our community of learners,” says MU President, Dr. Daniel A. Wubah. “This a great example of our EPPIIC value regarding ‘Public Mission.’ We are responding to the needs of people in our communities while building on our long-standing relationship with LCCC.”

 

To enter the Millersville program, students must meet eligibility criteria including having a documented diagnosis of an intellectual or developmental disability, be at least 18 years of age, be able to live in student housing with limited support and have the support of their family and a desire to gain skills for independent living and employment.

 

For more information on the LCCC program, contact Michelle Mitchell at mmitchell@lccc.edu.

Original source can be found here.