At UNC Greensboro, more than two dozen students with intellectual disabilities (ID) are currently on their way to earning their certificate across four cohorts. Thanks to the work of Integrative Community Studies (ICS), these students have been able to further their postsecondary education while learning key skills that emphasize self-determination, life planning, and career development.
As these students connect with other Spartans, ICS is eager for the opportunity to grow their own connections with faculty and staff from other departments and offices. They would like to build partnerships with faculty including opportunities for involvement in research, teaching, and service. The goal is to support faculty in their awareness of ID and further help students navigate spaces on UNCG’s campus.
On March 4 and 19 at noon, ICS will host a Faculty Tea and Conversation for those interested in learning more about the program and ways that it can be a resource for faculty.
ICS, formerly known as Beyond Academics, with its previous non-profit partner, welcomed its inaugural students in 2007, making it one of the oldest programs of its kind, in the country. 128 students have graduated from the four-year certificate program since 2011.
Many faculty members already see students from the ICS program in their courses. Such a partnership is a chance to enhance that learning environment for those students and all those who come after them, while also advancing the interests of a historically under-researched population.
How can ICS be a resource to UNCG faculty members? ICS can be a source of data for faculty research. ICS can work with those interested in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which can be applied to all students, not just those with ID.
Examples of current and previous partnerships include:
• Tutoring collaboration with Specialized Education Services
• Peer relationship-related internships for students, primarily from the Department of Social Work
• Work-study student positions
• Graduate Assistantships
Anyone interested in the Tea and Conversation should RSVP by February 28. Contact Dr. Laura Gonzalez at lmgonza2@uncg.edu.
Anyone interested in learning more about ICS may also contact Dr. Gonzalez or Lisa Pluff at ljpluff@uncg.edu.