Winston-Salem State University HBCU IPSE Program
Year 2 of 4: 10/01/2025 - 9/30/2026
System Gap Addressed
Universities and colleges have long recognized the importance of a diverse student body. However, many higher education institutions are missing critical opportunities to expand diversity among students by including students with intellectual disabilities. Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) represent a largely underserved population in postsecondary education. Creating a more inclusive environment and teaching using universal design can have a multiplier effect that will, in turn, attract more students. Inclusive post-secondary educational (IPSE) opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) (or students with ID and co-occurring developmental disabilities) have been expanding for decades. However, IPSE remains a reality that few families consider. Attending college can contribute to growth among individuals with intellectual disabilities in many of the same ways traditional students benefit from postsecondary education: academic and personal skill building, independence, self-advocacy, friendships, and, perhaps most importantly, employment skills.
Initiative Goals
- Work with University Admissions to modify/amend current admission policy and finalize admission criteria to build a pathway for students with IDD to matriculate at WSSU.
- Finalize a curriculum of at least five relevant courses that align with IPSE goals by the end of Year 2.
- Develop a recruitment plan for students who will attend and the number of students the program will support once established.
- Coordinate with local high schools, group homes, and community colleges and conduct information sessions and open houses complemented by virtual events for those institutional settings, and bilingual workshops for parents and caregivers to announce and advertise the program moving into recruitment.
- Launch application process in several formats to initiate recruitment of potential students into the IPSE program through individualized assessments, personal interviews, and educational history.
- Draft paraprofessional job descriptions for program supports (peer mentors and supports)
- Identify and outline a process of recruitment, training, and support services to reinforce current undergraduate student mentors.
- Develop a parent support platform to encourage caregiver/family feedback and promote program transparency.
- Develop additional goals for the detailed evaluation plan to monitor and evaluate the performance activities and outcomes, focused on gathering information to improve the program.
- Recruit undergraduate student mentors.
- Refine the parent support program.
- Identify any additional personnel needed for a successful pilot program
- Open applications for students to enroll to initiate Spring 2027.
- Nurture community collaborations with regular follow-up to build into career development which can lead to competitive employment for students with ID or ID and developmental disabilities.
Description of Activities
- Meet with campus leadership and gain approval for implementation of a specialized admission process that evaluates students based on individualized assessments, personal interviews, and educational history rather than GPA and standardized test scores.
- Collaborate with contacts from campus stakeholders (including the university counseling center, services for students with disabilities office, university advising center, and other offices) and community organizations contacts.
- Coordinate campus involvement and outline collaborative commitment to create accessibility for students with IDD.
- Partner with Hispanic-serving organizations within the community and on campus, cultural centers, and advocacy groups to further broaden university outreach.
- Collaborate with IPSE Leaders on training and education curriculum.
Outcomes to Date
- Letters of commitment from campus leadership for support of IPSE program development.
- Appointment of key campus stakeholders for coordination of campus and community organization engagement, including the hire of program manager and student staff to facilitate culturally diverse outreach.
- Collaboration on curriculum review for universal design, and co-development of instructional materials with IPSE Leaders.
- Program Leaders to attend Mid-Atlantic Regional Alliance for Inclusive Higher Education Conference July 2025.
Contact for questions:
Juanita Hooker, NCCDD Systems Change Manager:
Last updated October 2025