Program begins for students with disabilities

TAHLEQUAH — Northeastern State University has teamed up with Lead Learn Live to create the RiverHawks Scholar Program to provide a college-style living and learning environment for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

NSU’s Continuing Education and LLL will establish a fouryear postsecondary certificate program for the students, who will live on campus and participate in campus activities, clubs and organizations with other students. A trained community adviser will live nearby.

Scholars will take two traditional university classes in areas of interest and one specialized session each semester. They also will be placed in a time-limited job sampling as well as paid and unpaid internships throughout their four years with NSU.

Eloy Chavez, dean of the College of Extended Learning, said the program’s specific goals are to help the students experience and become productive in an independent living scenario, gain social skills in communication, build lasting friendships, build on intellectual development through academics, and provide a path to meaningful employment in a career of their choice.

An initial donation of $85,000 was made by LLL in order to develop the program. Through a memorandum of understanding, the organization has committed additional donations totaling $225,000 over the next three school years to make the program sustainable.

The RiverHawks Scholars Program will begin with the first cohort of students in August. A committee will review applications and will accept five students for the fall semester.

Go to www.nsuok. edu/RHSchola for more information and an application.