News & Events

MIHEC News

On January 23, Hometown Focus in Virginia, Minnesota, mentioned the Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center in “Lake Superior College to help students with disabilities with grant .”

Momentum: The Winter 2024-25 issue of MIHEC's newsletter

MIHEC Annual Report, October 1, 2024 (web version) (PDF version)

Momentum: The Fall 2024 issue of MIHEC's newsletter

Mary Hauff Profiled in DETAC Newsletter

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education now accepts Inclusive Higher Education Grant proposals.

Momentum: The Summer 2024 issue of MIHEC's newsletter

In May 2024, Mary Hauff presented "Solutions for Inclusive Higher Education " as the monthly webinar for the Midwest Inclusive Post Secondary Alliance. The slides are available here.

Pacer Center webinar: “Think it, Dream it, Do it: Post-High School Options for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.” MIHEC Director Mary Hauff co-presented this webinar on inclusive higher education with Daniel Habib of the Think College Network and Dawn Allen with a panel of Bethel Build students and parents.

Inclusive Higher Education for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Slides from the presentation by Cha Her of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and MIHEC's Mary Hauff at the Minnesota Association of Financial Aid Administrators conference in Brainerd on May 8, 2024.

MPR News: New center aims to help people with an intellectual disability get college degrees in Minnesota

Momentum: The Spring 2024 issue of MIHEC's newsletter

Momentum: The Winter 2024 issue of MIHEC's newsletter

Inclusive Higher Ed Moves Forward

Momentum: The Summer 2023 issue of MIHEC's newsletter

Impact: Feature Issue on Transition in a Global Context

Moving Forward: Inclusive Higher Ed. Mary Hauff received the Exceptional Advocate Award from the Minnesota Council on Disability, recognizing her contributions to building momentum for inclusive higher education in the state.

Impact: Feature Issue on Inclusive Higher Education for People with Intellectual, Developmental, and Other Disabilities

Upcoming Events

Leveraging Existing University Services and Systems: Admissions

March 4

6:00-7:15 pm Central Time

Register for this webinar.

Join Dr. McKenna Killion and Joni Klopp as they explain how Millersville University of Pennsylvania uses its existing admissions systems and processes to include students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Killion directs the Millersville Inclusive Higher Education Initiative, and Klopp directs undergraduate recruitment at Millersville University. They will share practical insights into navigating the university admissions process that all applicants use, offering guidance on what students can expect at each step. This session will cover key aspects of admissions, acceptance, and enrollment, providing insight into the college admissions process.

Dr. McKenna Killion, OTD, is the Director of Integrated Studies at Millersville University, an inclusive post-secondary education initiative. As director, she collaborates with the university and the surrounding community to ensure students with IDD serve valued roles on campus. Killion earned her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Duquesne University, where she developed individualized materials to support students with disabilities in building meaningful connections within the campus community. Killion has presented her research at several conferences, including the State of the Art and Everyday Lives Conferences. Through her work and research, Killion advocates for authentic inclusion for college students with IDD. Outside of work, McKenna enjoys hiking, exploring local coffee shops, and spending time with her family.

Joni M. Klopp, M.Ed., directs undergraduate recruitment at Millersville University of Pennsylvania and is President of the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC). She received her B.S. in Public Administration from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Tiffin University. Klopp has spent her entire career in Pennsylvania public higher education. As an alumna, employee, and advocate, she is well-versed in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Her time spent in public higher education admissions has focused on diverse and underrepresented populations. In addition to her role as PACAC President, she is also a member of the Affiliates Presidents Council with the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC). She received the 2022 PACAC Gary M. Kelsey Human Relations Award. Klopp lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she enjoys gardening, being a tourist in her own city, crafting, and spending time with her loved ones, including her 14 lb. pup, Acorn.

Save the Date! Learning Community Topic TBD

April 8

6:00-7:15 pm Central Time

Community of Practice Webinar Miniseries

Join Mary Hauff, Katie Parry, and practitioners from across the country to learn about high-quality inclusive higher education and prepare for the upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) for competitive grants. These webinars are offered to support your institution’s team in submitting a competitive grant application that aligns with Minnesota’s standards for high-quality inclusive higher education. Hauff and Parry are joined by national experts who lead a campus or statewide initiative. The webinars include time for questions and dialogue. In addition, MIHEC's Technical Assistance Center has open office hours when faculty and staff can schedule an appointment for answers to individualized questions.

The Framework for Inclusive Higher Education - Foundational Elements

February 12

2:00 pm- 3:00 pm Central Time

Register for this webinar.

This is the fourth webinar in the series leading up to the 2025 Spring Competitive Grant RFP. Join Julie Lackey and ICI's Katie Parry as they outline the foundational elements necessary for inclusive higher education, including admission requirements for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), institution-approved credentials, accessible programs of study, and the use of existing university systems and services. It emphasizes professional development, alternative admissions for students with IDD, and CTP designation, which enables students to access federal and state financial aid.

Julie Lackey is the Director of OKIPSE Alliance. The Alliance is a partnership between three state agencies to educate, advocate, assist, and collaborate for inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) options for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in Oklahoma. Lackey is also the Founder of LeadLearnLive, a nonprofit organization that provided funding, program outline, and consulting for two IPSE programs in Oklahoma. She is an OKLEND Fellow, a co-chair for the Red River Higher Education Alliance (OK/TX Alliance), and a former technical assistance team member for Think College. Most importantly, she is the parent of a young adult who moves to his own drumbeat!

Katie Parry, M.A., is the Community Outreach Coordinator at the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center. She taught as a special education teacher for five years before working for the University of Minnesota's Disability Resource Center. At the University of Minnesota, Parry served as a Manager in Access Assistance, where she supervised staff, led professional development initiatives, and trained personnel in implementing accommodations for students, staff, and faculty with disabilities. Parry is deeply committed to higher education and ensuring it is accessible to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Framework for Inclusive Higher Education - Supportive Elements

February 19

2:00 pm- 3:00 pm Central Time

Register for this webinar.

This is the fifth webinar in the series leading up to the 2025 Spring Competitive Grant RFP. Join Jonathan Lidgus from the University of Missouri - St. Louis and ICI's Katie Parry as they highlight key supports for inclusive higher education, including staffing plans, supplemental advising, peer support, and person-centered planning. The webinar explores strategies for engaging undergraduate peers, providing professional development, and ensuring family engagement. Post-graduation transition planning is also addressed, focusing on employment preparation, self-determined living, and connecting students with community resources.

Jonathan Lidgus has been a University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL) community member since 2002. He began his career at UMSL as a graduate student in the Office of Student Life and was brought on full-time in 2005. Two years later, he joined the Office of Residential Life, where he became its Director. From there, Lidgus worked at UMSL Succeed for five years until he was promoted to Program Director in 2017. He holds an M.Ed. in Counseling and is working toward a doctorate in Education. His academic research interests are in intellectual and developmental disabilities in higher education. Lidgus was instrumental in planning and establishing UMSL's Succeed Program and its subsequent transition to the Office of Inclusive Postsecondary Education.

Katie Parry, M.A., is the Community Outreach Coordinator at the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center.

Wrap-Up and Additional Topics

February 26

2:00 pm- 3:00 pm Central Time

Register for this webinar.

This is the sixth webinar in the series leading up to the 2025 Spring Competitive Grant RFP. Join Mindy Lingo and ICI's Katie Parry and Mary Hauff as they address additional topics of interest from participants and wrap up the webinar miniseries.

Lingo is a training developer for the Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network Project. Before coming to Think College, she was the co-founder and director of an inclusive postsecondary program at the University of Oklahoma, where she also served as the Assistant Director of Postsecondary Education at the Zarrow Institute on Transition and Self-Determination. Lingo has 20 years of experience serving as an educator and advocate for people with disabilities through her roles as a transition specialist, board-certified behavior analyst, and special education teacher.

Hauff directs the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center at the Institute on Community Integration. Parry is the Center's Community Outreach Coordinator.

Past Events

February 2025

Learning Community Events: College Possibilities: NDSU Spotlight (February 11)

Jordan Bentz and Addie Loerzel are from North Dakota State University's Transition and Access Program (TAP), an inclusive post-secondary education program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Bentz is the TAP Coordinator, and Loerzel is a first-year student in the program.

This session showcases TAP’s comprehensive approach to supporting students with IDD in higher education. Bentz provides an in-depth overview of the program’s core components, including academic offerings from the general course catalog tailored to students’ strengths and interests, person-centered planning, career exploration, internships, employment requirements, self-determined living, and fostering a sense of inclusion within the campus community. She also highlights the essential role of peer mentors in providing support throughout the college day.

Loerzel shares her personal experiences, offering insights into her academic journey, participation in campus life, and how the program has empowered her to pursue her goals.

Jordan Bentz is the TAP Coordinator. In this role, she creates supportive, inclusive learning environments that empower students to thrive. As a doctoral student in NDSU's Developmental Science program, Bentz specializes in social and emotional development. She researches inclusive secondary and post-secondary education, especially peer-focused initiatives and their impact. Combining hands-on experience with academic expertise, Bentz offers valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of inclusive education.

Addie Loerzel is all about making her community brighter and more inclusive. She founded Spread Your Sunshine, a nonprofit that brings fun activities to kids and teens facing tough challenges, making sure everyone feels included. Loerzel is also a North Dakota State University freshman studying hospitality in the Transition Access Program. Besides that, she runs Addie's Sunshine and Treats, a mobile ice cream cart that gives young people with disabilities a chance to build job skills. From advocating for fair wages to creating opportunities for others, Loerzel spreads joy and makes a difference wherever she can.

Community of Practice Miniseries Webinar: Course of Study (February 5)

This is the third webinar in the series leading up to the 2025 Spring Competitive Grant RFP. Join Vanderbilt University's Ariana Amaya and ICI's Katie Parry as they explain how institutions offer credentialed programs of study that lead to competitive integrated employment. In a high-quality, inclusive higher education initiative, students with IDD earn a meaningful credential that includes academic courses from the course catalog, internships, and employment experience that match their career interests and self-determined living. Learn how inclusive higher education initiatives leverage existing course offerings and campus services and engage stakeholders. These initiatives, supported by campus career services and employment resources, emphasize career development, internships, and job readiness. The session will include an introduction to person-centered planning and its integral role in the student's pursuit of a postsecondary education credential.

Dr. Ariana Amaya has over six years of experience working in inclusive higher education in a variety of university settings. She is the director of Next Steps at Vanderbilt, an inclusive higher education program for students with IDD. Within this role, she directs the growth of a long-standing Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) program with goals of innovating best practices, increasing inclusion and dignity of risk, and meaningful career and academic engagement. Before directing Next Steps, Amaya started and directed the Integrated Studies program—a fully inclusive, residential IPSE program—at Gwynedd Mercy University. This work was supported by a U.S. Department of Education TPSID grant award in collaboration with four other Pennsylvania IPSE programs. Amaya has been a leader in inclusive higher education alliances in Pennsylvania and Tennessee and has presented at regional and national conferences. She earned her doctorate in occupational therapy at Belmont University.

Katie Parry, M.A., is the Community Outreach Coordinator at the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center. She taught as a special education teacher for five years before working for the University of Minnesota's Disability Resource Center. At the University of Minnesota, Parry served as a Manager in Access Assistance, where she supervised staff, led professional development initiatives, and trained personnel in implementing accommodations for students, staff, and faculty with disabilities. Parry is deeply committed to higher education and ensuring it is accessible to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

January 2025

Community of Practice Miniseries Webinar: Financial Roadmap to Self-sustainability (January 29)

This is the second webinar in the series leading up to the 2025 Spring Competitive Grant RFP. Mary Hauff and Shayna Laing present the pro forma budget that gives the campus team a financial roadmap. This roadmap addresses the planning period and subsequent years so the initiative can reach self-sustaining student enrollment levels and hire the necessary staff. The session also covers the Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program designation and how it affects students' financial aid.

Shayna Laing is a dynamic advocate for higher education students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is the IN! Community Engagement Manager and is increasing inclusive postsecondary education options across the state of Colorado. With a master’s degree in special education and a Graduate Certificate in Disability Services in Post-Secondary Settings from Ball State University, Laing is passionate about establishing inclusive practices and pathways for individuals of all abilities to reach their full potential. Her experience includes serving as the Coordinator of Student Success and Accessibility at Colorado Christian University, as an Academic Support Professional for the Elevate at ACC program, and as a Pre-Vocational Service Provider at Stepping Stone Support Center.

Hauff is the director of the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center at the Institute on Community Integration. As director, she leads efforts to eliminate barriers and broaden postsecondary opportunities for students with IDD across Minnesota. Working in collaboration with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Hauff drives systemic change to create more inclusive higher education pathways. With over five years of leadership in this space, she has been a key advocate and expert in shaping critical legislation, including the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Act and the Minnesota RISE Act, which have transformed educational equity in the state.

Community of Practice Miniseries Webinar: Inclusive Higher Education Program Structure (January 22)

This is the first community of practice webinar in the series leading up to the 2025 Spring Competitive Grant RFP. Mary Hauff and Beth Myers discuss the basics of planning and developing a high-quality, inclusive higher education initiative. The session gives an overview of inclusive higher education, resources, and practical tips.

Myers is the Lawrence B. Taishoff Associate Professor of Inclusive Education, the Executive Director of the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, and the Assistant Director for the Center on Disability and Inclusion. She is a faculty member in the Teaching and Leadership Department in the School of Education at Syracuse University, where she started teaching in the inclusive elementary program in 2014. She oversees InclusiveU, a federally recognized model program for college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Hauff is the director of the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center at the Institute on Community Integration.

November 2024

MIHEC Learning Community Event: Think College Policy Advocacy Training (November 19)

Liz Weintraub and Denise Rozell from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) co-present with Policy Advocates who completed the Think College Advocates training. This webinar shows the policy advocacy skills training available to students and staff of inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual disability.

Weintraub has long been a leader in self-advocacy and has held many board and advisory positions at state and national organizations. She is a full-time member of the AUCD policy team. She hosts “Tuesdays With Liz: Disability Policy For All,” a popular YouTube show where she explains policy in accessible language. In 2018, Weintraub served as a Fellow in a U.S. Senator’s office and then testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Before coming to AUCD, she worked for the Council on Quality & Leadership and has chaired the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council. She has received numerous awards, recognition, and commendations for her work. She enjoys mentoring people with disabilities.

November 2024

MIHEC Community of Practice Gathering: Inclusive Higher Education Best Practices (November 12)

This was an engaging discussion on the latest best practices in inclusive higher education, informed by insights from the 2024 National Inclusive Higher Education Conferences, including the State of the Art (SOTA) and Student Leadership Conference (SLC), held on October 29-30, 2024, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. MIHEC members who attended the conference shared key takeaways and explored how these can be applied to our Minnesota initiatives. This gathering highlighted conference learnings and served as an interactive listening session on how to enhance inclusive higher education practices across the state.

October 2024

MIHEC Learning Community Event: How the Higher Education Pathway to Competitive Integrated Employment Can Be Supported by Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) (October 15)

In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the October Learning Community Event focused on competitive integrated employment. Nationally, the employment rate of people with intellectual disability is around 19%. Higher education is a pathway to employment and a career path of choice. VR and higher education programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have similar goals: increased preparation for and increased access to paid employment for people with disabilities. Russ Thelin from Think College and Alyssa Klein from Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation shared what the partnership can look like and how collaborating to establish statewide practices benefits students, institutions of higher education, and VR counselors.

October 2024

MIHEC Community of Practice Gathering: Establishing Internships and Employment Opportunities (October 8)

In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, this webinar explores establishing internships and employment opportunities for college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One stated outcome of inclusive higher education is providing quality employment opportunities in the student's career area of interest and leading to competitive integrated employment after graduation. The lead presenter is Amy D’Agati, Senior Faculty Specialist in the College of Education, University of Maryland College Park, and is staff at the Center for Transition and Career Innovation. She has worked in transition and career development for people with disabilities in different states for nearly 30 years and co-presents this webinar with graduate Evan Miller. They explain how the University of Maryland's job development provides meaningful employment experience, how peer mentor training prepares mentors for job coaching, and how they partner with the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS).

June 2024

Inclusive Higher Education Competitive Grant (June 24)

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education and MIHEC will co-present an online workshop on June 24 about a new competitive grants program. The grants are intended to increase sustainable opportunities for inclusive postsecondary education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Minnesota. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education will release its request for proposals in early June, and the workshop will explain how postsecondary institutions in Minnesota can apply for these grants. For further information, visit the State's Inclusive Higher Education Grants webpage.

April 2024

MIHEC Learning Community Event: A Model for Intentional College and Career Learning Inside and Outside the Classroom (April 16)

College is an enormous growth opportunity in the lives of all students. Inclusive higher education initiatives for students with intellectual disability can promote this growth by supporting students in setting and working toward meaningful college and career goals and gaining related experiences.

In this webinar, Dr. Kathryn Burke and two Temple University students describe, provide resources, and share student experiences from the Temple University Leadership and Career Studies' four-year certificate program. Temple uses the College and Career Learning Model, which enables students and those who support them to plan and strengthen college and career abilities, gain related experiences in the campus community, and track progress, all without separate, specialized courses.

Dr. Burke is an Associate Director at Temple's Institute on Disabilities and an Assistant Professor of Research in the Department of Teaching and Learning. She received her PhD from the University of Kansas in Special Education with a Minor in Research Design and Analysis. Dr. Burke was formerly an elementary special education teacher in Philadelphia. She elevates strengths-based inclusive education and self-determination across the life course for people with disabilities through scholarship, teaching, and service.

April 2024

MIHEC Community of Practice Gathering: Inclusive Program of Study (April 9)

When they complete a degree, nondegree, or certificate program, college students can reasonably expect to earn a meaningful credential that will open doors to greater independence and the career path of their choice. College students with intellectual disability have the same expectation. This gathering featured a panel of colleagues from across the country who lead their institution's inclusive higher education programs. They provided insights into how they planned and offered an inclusive program of study approved by their institution.

The panelists were Jaclyn Camden, who is Director of the ACE-IT in College at Virginia Commonwealth University; Amy D’Agati, who is Director of the TerpsEXCEED program at the University of Maryland; and Thomas Neuville, who is a Professor of Integrated Studies and the Principal Investigator of the Pennsylvania Inclusive Higher Education Consortium (PIHEC) TSPID Grant at Millersville University.

March 2024

MIHEC Learning Community Event: Engaging Students, Families, and Educators in the Inclusive Postsecondary Education Preparation Process (March 19)

Helping students with intellectual and developmental disabilities prepare for inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) is best addressed with a team approach. Equipping students and their support team, including family members and educators, with IPSE preparation resources makes the transition to college more successful. Through a combination of presentation and group discussion, this interactive event reviews important steps and resources for students, families, and educators as students prepare for the transition to college.

Presented by Shayna Laing, the Community Engagement Manager for IN! Pathways to Inclusive Higher Education. She is a dynamic advocate for students with intellectual disability within higher education. With a master’s degree in special education and a graduate certificate in disability services in post-secondary settings from Ball State University, Laing is passionate about establishing inclusive practices and pathways for individuals of all abilities to reach their full potential. Her experience includes serving as the Coordinator of Student Success and Accessibility at Colorado Christian University, Academic Support Professional for the Elevate at ACC program, and Pre-Vocational Service Provider at Stepping Stone Support Center.

March 2024

MIHEC Community of Practice Event: Inclusive Higher Education Conversation (March 5)

A gathering of Minnesota college and university faculty and staff who are either interested in or part of their campus' inclusive higher education initiative.

February 2024

MIHEC Learning Community Event: Creating Our Own Lives: College Students with Intellectual Disability (February 13)

In this session, presenter Beth Myers, co-editor of Creating Our Own Lives: College Students with Intellectual Disability (Minnesota, 2023), explains that students with intellectual and developmental disabilities belong in higher education. Myers and her co-editor, Michael Gill, give voice to young adults with intellectual disability and their experiences in inclusive higher education and offers a powerful challenge to assumptions that intellectual disability is best met with protection or segregation. Myers and some of the college students featured in the book share their experiences as students enrolled in inclusive higher education programs. They provide information and inspiration that supports individuals with intellectual disability who aspire to attend college and parents seeking opportunities for their children and guidance to those reimagining and creating educational spaces.

Beth Myers is the Lawrence B. Taishoff Associate Professor of Inclusive Education, the Executive Director of the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, and the Assistant Director for the Center on Disability and Inclusion. She is a faculty member in the Teaching and Leadership Department in the School of Education at Syracuse University, teaching in the Inclusive Elementary program where she started in 2014. She oversees InclusiveU, a federally-recognized model program for college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

January 2024

MIHEC Community of Practice Event: National Accreditation Standards and Resources for Program Accreditation (January 23)

In this session, presenters Mary Judge Diegert and Martha Mock provide an overview of the national accreditation standards and valuable insight into how to embed the standards into new or existing inclusive higher education initiatives. The conversation includes resources developed by the Think College National Coordinating Center and information about the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council. The program accreditation standards are part of the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education competitive grants. Also, learn about the available planning tools to support you in aligning your inclusive higher education initiative with the national accreditation standards.

November 2023

MIHEC Learning Community Event: High-Quality Inclusive Higher Education Initiatives (November 28)

In this session, presenter Edie Cusack reviews the process of creating an effective and successful post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disability from conception to implementation. She joined the College of Charleston [South Carolina] in 2010 and established a four-year, fully-inclusive postsecondary education initiative on campus. Drawing on her experience, Cusack covers planning, potential barriers, training, engaging all stakeholders, and measuring outcomes. She explains how to prepare faculty and staff and develop potential systems of support including tutors and mentors. She also has suggestions for students and their parents on how to prepare for college while still in high school and gives tips for the college search. See Cusack's TEDx Talk on “College– possible for students with intellectual disability. ”

November 2023

MIHEC Community of Practice Gathering: A Guide to the Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) Program Designation (November 14)

The CTP program designation empowers colleges and universities to offer an affordable inclusive higher education initiative. Eligible students with intellectual disability can access federal financial aid when they attend an approved CTP program at an accredited college or university, even if they do not have a standard high school diploma and/or are not seeking a degree. In Minnesota, the CTP program approval also opens the door to state financial aid for eligible Minnesota students with intellectual disability. The gathering opened with a brief overview of the CTP program by Cate Weir, who is coordinator of the Think College National Coordinating Center. This was followed by a panel discussion/Q&A with faculty and staff who have completed the CTP program application process. The panelists were Kami Gallus (Professor and Associate Director of the Oklahoma State University Center for Developmental Disabilities), Jennifer Woegens (Executive Director of Elevate at Arapahoe Community College), and Chad M. Blew (director of scholarships and financial aid at Oklahoma State University). Minnesota college and university faculty and staff—especially financial aid officers—gained practical advice, tips, and resources to complete the application process and obtain CTP program approval for their institutions.

October 2023

MIHEC Community of Practice Gathering: Inclusive Teaching, In Practice and Theory (October 17)

A gathering of Minnesota college and university faculty and staff who are either interested in or part of their campus' inclusive higher education initiative. Facilitated by faculty members Annette Romualdo (University of Minnesota Duluth) and Diana Joseph (Minnesota State University, Mankato).

October 2023

MIHEC Learning Community Event: A Community-Based Collaborative Transition Model for Minnesota Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (October 10)

The Institute on Community Integration (ICI) leads a Community-Based Collaborative Transition Model project to improve the transition experiences and outcomes of Minnesota students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The project intersects with MIHEC's inclusive higher education efforts to expand postsecondary education options for students with an intellectual disability. In this webinar, ICI's Renáta Tichá, Brian Abery, and Seunghee Lee shared the project goals, preliminary findings, and next steps. They also discussed the importance of the collaborative group of stakeholders who are project partners: MIHEC, school districts, state agencies, local service providers, and disability advocacy agencies.

September 2023

MIHEC Learning Community Event: Strategic Partnerships Derived from Common Goals (Employment Opportunities, Work Skills Training, and Transition to Employment after College) (September 19)

Oklahoma has three Inclusive Post Secondary Education (IPSE) options for students with intellectual/developmental disabilities which are Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs (CTP designated) and one IPSE program for degree-seeking students with autism. Julie Lackey (Director of OKIPSE Alliance) and Yolanda Scott (Youth Programs Manager for Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board) helped build the strategic partnerships that support students’ access to college and community employment, which are essential components of the Oklahoma IPSE initiatives. During this presentation, Lackey and Scott discussed the partnerships that Oklahoma IPSE has forged with Oklahoma Vocational Rehabilitation, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, and the Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board. Innovative collaborations with these organizations that have similar goals tap existing resources and funding to support students, IPSE staff, and off-campus employers when students work off-campus while enrolled and pursue competitive integrated employment after graduation.

September 2023

Community of Practice Gathering: All Things Inclusive Higher Education (September 12)

A gathering of Minnesota college and university faculty and staff who are either interested in or part of their campus' inclusive higher education initiative. Facilitated by faculty members Annette Romualdo (University of Minnesota Duluth) and Diana Joseph (Minnesota State University, Mankato).

May 2023

Community of Practice Gathering: Inclusive Teaching, In Theory and Practice

A gathering of Minnesota college and university faculty and staff who are either interested in or part of their campus' inclusive higher education initiative. Facilitated by faculty members Annette Romualdo (University of Minnesota Duluth) and Diana Joseph (Minnesota State University, Mankato).

April 2023

MIHEC Learning Community Event: Embracing Dignity of Risk (April 18)

Magen Rooney-Kron, Christopher Worth, and Stephen Schomaker—all from the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL)—emphasized the importance of the dignity of risk for students with intellectual disabilities who are pursuing an inclusive postsecondary education. They discussed authentic dignity of risk, what it looks like on a college campus, and some of its benefits and outcomes.

Rooney-Kron taught high school students with intellectual disability in Chicago and now teaches the Transition Issues and Planning course at UMSL. Her research focuses on (a) the inclusion of students with significant support needs in high-quality, work-based learning experiences and (b) how policies, such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act, affects the provision of transition services to youth with disabilities.

Worth is a community organizer, community educator, writer, and visual artist with a disability. He takes a strengths-based approach to disability, teaching in the UMSL Succeed program, which is a postsecondary program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Worth's research interests include exploring how “calculated risk” can improve self-determination across the life course.

Schomaker was a senior in the Succeed Program at UMSL in spring 2023. He intends to continue his education at UMSL with support from the Link Program. Schomaker plans to pursue an education degree and teach physical education in middle school.

April 2023

Community of Practice Gathering: Campus Allies and Community Partners (April 10)

A gathering of Minnesota college and university faculty and staff who are either interested in or part of their campus's inclusive higher education initiative. Facilitated and led by Annette Romualdo, UMD faculty, and Diana Joseph, Minnesota State Mankato faculty.

March 2023

Learning Community Event: The Portable Credential and Planning for Life After College

Christi Kasa, Ph.D., from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, shared two important aspects of Colorado’s inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs: The Portable Credential and Planning for Life After College. She was joined by one of her students who shared their experience.

Kasa is a Professor for the Department of Teaching and Learning and the Director of the Office of Inclusive Services in the College of Education at the University of Colorado. Her passion guides her teaching, research, and consulting to create successful inclusive schools. Kasa’s expertise is in Universal Design for Learning, best practices for inclusive schooling, and inclusive post-secondary education. Her began her career teaching in the public schools of California as a general education teacher and special education teacher. Kasa now spends time in schools all over the country, working to end the segregation of students with disabilities.

February 2023

Learning Community Event: Customized Employment

Jaclyn Camden of Virginia Commonwealth University discussed the importance of paid employment while in college and offered information on a national study to assist staff in higher education to provide employment supports that fit the strengths and needs of college students with IDD. The presenter explained how to help students get paid jobs while in college and suggested practical strategies on implementing customized employment in higher education. The presentation also shared what has worked for study participants, representing 75 universities across the country, as well as challenges they faced in providing employment supports. Facilitated by Nicole Rabinowitz, Inclusive Networking.

December 2022

Community of Practice Gathering: Building Relationships and Allies on Campus

A gathering of Minnesota college and university faculty and staff who are either interested in or part of their campus's inclusive higher education initiative. Facilitated and led by Annette Romualdo, UMD faculty, and Diana Joseph, Minnesota State Mankato faculty.

November 2022

Learning Community Event: 2022 National Inclusive Higher Education Conference Key Takeaways

A conversation that shared key developments, big ideas, and important resources from the 2022 national inclusive higher education conferences. The State of the Art (SOTA) and Student Leadership Conference (SLC) happened in October 2022 in Syracuse, New York. MIHEC members who attended those conferences shared what they learned and how we could apply it to our Minnesota initiatives. The presenters included Mary Hauff of MIHEC and Diana Joseph, a faculty member at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

October 2022

MIHEC Workgroup Webinar: Community of Practice

This first Minnesota Community of Practice for inclusive higher education gathering was designed for Minnesota college and university faculty and staff who are either interested in or part of their campus's inclusive higher education initiative. Facilitated and led by Annette Romualdo, UMD faculty, and Diana Joseph, Minnesota State Mankato faculty.

September 2022

MIHEC Learning Community Webinar: Public Policy Advocacy

Julia Burkstaller and Dupree Edwards shared their experience advocating for inclusive higher education in Minnesota, providing information on state-level advocacy, what it takes to get a bill signed into law, and what you can do to get involved in public policy advocacy. Students, parents, educators, and faculty can all make a difference as inclusive higher education public policy advocates.

April 2022

Student Journeys

Gain insight from the experiences of current college students and graduates. The student panel members shared their experiences about their journey preparing for college and going to college. What has their experience been? What would they do differently? What are their career aspirations after college or what career are they pursuing after college? Their answers are in the video.

March 2022

Access to College: Ableism vs. Inclusion and Opportunity

This event shared how disability history - in its legacy of segregation and separation - still influences educator attitudes, school systems, and the educational experiences of people with disabilities.

February 2022

What Are Your College Plans?

Presenters at this Student and Family Information night included members of the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Consortium (MIHEC) workgroup.

November 2021

Student Supports: A Panel Presentation and Discussion with Georgia Tech's Excel Program .

Presenters included student Martha Haythorn, peer mentor Hanna Shaw, parent Preston Tauscher, mentorship coordinator Luke Roman, and the Excel Program director, Ken Surdin.

October 2021

What Does Inclusive Higher Education Look Like?

Amy D'Agati presented on the Terps-EXCEED Model at the University of Maryland.

September 2021

Campus Capacity Building

Presented by Jessica Lamb from Augustana University and Diana Joseph from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

May 2021

Person-Centered Planning

Presented by Mark Winters from Beacon Specialized Living.

April 2021

Job Coaching and Peer/Natural Supports

Presented by Nicole Rabinowitz from INclusive Networking.

March 2021

Minnesota CTPs: Reconnect and Share

Presented by Benjamin Larson from Ridgewater College, Dawn Allen from Bethel BUILD, and Patricia Sloan from Central Lakes College.

November 2020

Action and Outreach: A Community Discussion About Next Steps in Minnesota

October 2020

Braided Funding

Presented by Debra Hart from Think College and University of Massachusetts, Jan Bechtel from Millersville University, and Denise Rozell from Think College and AUCD.

September 2020

Meaningful Credentials

Presented by Kelly Haines and Russ Thelin from Think College.