North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper designated Monday, May 1, 2023 as Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) Day – following a request from UNC Greensboro’s (UNCG) Integrative Community Studies Program.
IPSE Day is a national movement from Think College National Coordinating Center to raise awareness of inclusive postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities.
There are about 5300 colleges and universities in the U.S. and only about 300 have options for students with intellectual disabilities. UNCG is just one of three universities in North Carolina with this kind of program.
UNCG’s Integrative Community Studies Program (also known as Beyond Academics) is for students with intellectual disabilities who are interested in furthering their education past secondary education. Students earn a four-year certificate – awarded by the Office of the Provost – that emphasizes self-determination, life planning and career development.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to go to college if they choose,” says Lisa Pluff, the ICS Program Director at UNCG. “Less than 20 years ago, college was not an option for students with intellectual disabilities and IPSE Day is important to raise awareness of our collective higher expectations in higher education. We are grateful for Governor Coopers’ signing of the Proclamation.”
North Carolina has been a pioneer in the IPSE movement with some of the longest standing programs in the nation. Positive student outcomes include growth of academic and personal skills, friendships and self-advocacy skills, along with work and career opportunities, to name a few.
Story by Avery Craine Powell, University Communications
Photography by David Lee Row, University Communications
