WESTFIELD- Last month, Westfield State University announced an award of $157,924 by Governor Charles Baker to support the university’s Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (ICEI) Program. The grant covers tuition, books, materials, the salary for a coordinator and employment specialist, and additional programming needs.
“As a university that was founded upon the principles of offering an education without barriers, the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative is very much aligned with our mission,” said Westfield State University President Ramon S. Torrecilha, Ph.D.
ICEI provides dual-enrollment opportunities for students ages 18-21 that have intellectual disabilities and are still receiving special education services through their school districts. Westfield State University’s ICEI is one of 15 in the Commonwealth, and started in the fall 2013 semester with just five students from four partner districts. The program has grown into one of the largest ICEIs in the state with 20 students from 10 partner districts, including Westfield and Southwick-Tolland-Granville, signed up for the fall 2016 semester.
Program Coordinator Lyndsey Nunes was hired as program coordinator on Sept. 1, 2013. She and the students all started together, she said.
“Every day, we have about 8-10 students here. A lot of them are working in the community on their other days,” said Nunes.
She said some of the courses the students are taking include math, biology, movement science, theater, communications, and art history, courses that align with their employment goals, interests or long-term hobbies.
“This program is really flexible, it’s what they want to make of it,” said Nunes, who will be receiving her doctorate in January from UMass. Her thesis is a program evaluation of all of the ICEI programs in the state.
Sherry Elander and Doris Love of the East Mt. transition program in Westfield. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Sherry Elander, Westfield Public Schools transition specialist said Westfield is the largest sending community, with eight students on the Westfield State campus and seven at Holyoke Community College, which was the first college to offer the program in the area. Elander runs the East Mountain Road Transition Program, the other half of the dual enrollment for the Westfield students.
“I’m very involved. They are our students,” she said. The district provides the education coaches, who are part of Elander’s staff and are responsible for the Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and progress reports.
“It’s about being in an environment 18-22 year olds are in naturally,” Elander said.
By state law, students are entitled to be educated until the day before they turn 22. She said ICEI was developed in partnership with public schools and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), as a part of the civil rights movement, promoting equal access to education.
“We helped to write the grant. We’ve been there from the beginning. I’m going on my 11th year, and I’m just as excited now as I was when we had our first student on campus” Elander said. She said not all of her students want to go to college. Of the 34 in the program, 15 are in college, and three are on a waiting list for next year.
“It’s just another option. They have a choice. Choices are so important,” Elander said.
Elander is involved in the Westfield State program in another way, too. Her daughter, Sarah Lamb, works as the Westfield State ICEI program assistant. Lamb previously worked at the East Mt. program, and served as an ed coach for ICEI students on campus last year.
Nunes said in addition to helping with course selection, the college program holds bi-weekly, 45 min. to 1 hour-long seminars and check ins with the students on campus. She said half of the time is spent problem-solving around goal-setting, employment, relationships, and social skills. The program also runs a whole employment day and luncheon, where students can work on interview skills.
Westfield State student Jamie Curran with ed coach Cecil Christian. (Photo by Amy Porter)
One student in the program, Jamie Curran, went to Westfield Vocational. She is currently taking Intro to Social Work, and also works at T. J.’s in the campus center, making breakfast and smoothies.
“Just having the experience to come to college,” Curran said is what she likes best about the program.
For the past couple of years, Curran has also assisted her peers at the East Mt. center as an ed coach and job coach.
“She (Curran) really enjoys working here as a program assistant. She’s learned a lot of skills here, and is hoping that when she turns 22 in the spring, that there will be a position here she can be hired for. We are developing skills she would need to be qualified to work here,” Elander said. She is also their first student to get a driver’s license and car.
“She’s a really shining example of what’s possible with transition services, and what’s possible with students connected to the ICEI program,” Elander said.
Alec Murray, another Westfield student at Westfield State, enjoys going to activities on campus. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Alec Murray, another Westfield student, said he is enjoying his time at Westfield State.
“Aside from the three days I’m here, I work at Shaker Farms Country Club,” Murray said. He says he is studying mathematical applications.
Murray also participates in events on campus with ICEI peer mentors. He was particularly looking forward to a football party last Saturday, and an upcoming Halloween party.
To further encourage inclusion efforts on campus, Nunes launched the peer mentor group pIeCEs (Positive Inclusion of Everyone Creates Educational Success) which helps ICEI students to develop relationships with other students on campus. Peer mentors accompany ICEI students on campus during night and weekend events. The club also hosts its own events including Halloween parties and semi-formal dances.
Annalise St. Marie (second from left) a peer mentor on campus, with students Shannon Robitaille, Allison Jackowski, Kyle Reardon and Chris Mullins. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Annalise St. Marie of Springfield is on the Executive Board of pieCEs.
“We’re the ones that come up with a lot of the activities, like the football party. We decided we were going to do this,” St. Marie said. A sophomore studying special education for pre-k through 8, she is also a peer mentor. She said the club is special because of what the club does. “It’s my favorite club on campus,” St. Marie said.
“Campus culture is so welcoming. The mission of the university is to be inclusive. There are a lot of indicators our program fits into as part of those goals,” Nunes said. She added that the ICE program is very well supported on campus by Cheryl Stanley, dean of education, who moved the whole education department around to give them office space, and also by Louann D’Angelo in the grants office.
“Having a fully inclusive program at a college level is essential for the entire campus community,” said Nunes. “It builds acceptance and understanding and helps prepare all Westfield State students for the future.”
Speaking about what happens after a student turns 22 and the programs end, both Nunes and Elander expect changes in the future.
“Our program doesn’t go past 22. We try to partner with adult agencies as well,” Nunes said. “What we are really interested in, is what could become a job of that. We look for on-campus internships, and work with the districts to help with that.” Nunes said Elander does a lot with the students in this area.
“The ICE initiative has only been around for ten years. We’ve made so much progress in ten years, who knows where we’ll be in another ten,” Nunes said.
“Eventually, I think the doors are going to open on campus for all people,” Elander said.
Both Nunes and Elander pointed to another Westfield student’s success in the program. Krystal Torres, who is now 23, worked with the Westfield State Women’s Basketball Team and assisted a faculty member in the education department while enrolled in the ICEI program. After completing the program, she continues to work in the education department supported by an adult agency and volunteers her time with the basketball team, assisting with practices and games.
“The majority of our students and families never thought college would be an option, so it is rewarding to see them grow and mature through their educational experience at Westfield State,” Nunes said.
