Hello UI REACH supporters and fans.
Wow, the 2022-2033 academic just flew by! And in this year, we’ve experienced many amazing events and accomplishments, a few of which we’d like to share with you. We are continuously awed by the accomplishments of our students and staff. But we couldn’t do any of the things mentioned in this update without the support so many partners and donors. Sincere thanks to each of you who contributed to this wonderfully successful year in any way. Of course the year came with some challenges and disappointments, but those only served to make us even more determined and stronger.
So please enjoy reading this as much as I did compiling it! Feel free to share the link to this edition with anyone you want to learn more about UI REACH. We love adding to our family.
We’re already poised for a great summer and an exciting fall and we can wait to share the news of what the next year will bring.
All the best,
William (Bill) Loyd, Jr.
Charles & Mary Sukup UI Reach Director
A Year in Review
Graduation
May 5, 2023 marked the 14th Annual Commencement Exercise for the UI REACH Program. It was an exciting day, indeed, for UI REACH. We began with a breakfast honoring our year 4 graduates and their families, along with a few of our business partners who provide valuable internships for our students. The kickoff was heightened by a visit from State Auditor, Rob Sand, who made the surprise announcement on behalf of himself and his wife Christine, for the establishment of a new UI REACH scholarship in honor of a beloved family member who had a developmental disability!
The excitement continued with an update meeting with the UI REACH Advisory Board, five of whom traveled to Iowa City to be with us at Convocation. Others joined the meeting virtually from locations across the country. The culminating event was, of course, when Fifteen graduates shared a proud moment with their family, friends, President Barbara Wilson, Dean Daniel Clay, Iowa Teacher of the year – Sara Russell, and a host of well-wishers at the Pappajohn Business Building for the Convocation exercise. Several of the graduates played roles in the celebration and six of them announced plans to relocate to Iowa City this fall.
Dr. Wilson was quoted as saying: “I was overwhelmed with emotion at the UI Reach convocation this year. Thank you for ALL you do to change the lives of families and their students with intellectual, cognitive and learning challenges.” A light reception featuring Hawkeye themed desserts was the final UI REACH sponsored celebration, but we are certain that the celebrations continued well into the evening for graduates and their families.
2022-2023 By the Numbers
97 %
Student retention rate
100 %
Professional staff retention rate
3
Consecutive Years of fiscal surplus
(projected)
137
Groups attended informational tours
45 %
student enrollment growth
over the past 3 years
53
students enrolled in 95 inclusive classes
110% increase over last year.
24
of 39 internship were paid
93 %
of alumni are employed
61 %
of graduates live independently
Coordinator Updates
UI REACH has an amazing leadership team whose work of achieving our vision and mission is never ending. Here’s what they had to say about the past year.
Single most significant accomplishment over the past year: Submission of three federal grants.
What you’re most excited about for the coming year: Continue to strengthen the new partnerships that were generated from the March 7th UI REACH Collaboration Lunch Conversation. I am also looking forward to the implementation of Salesforce.
Largest challenges during the past year: Being a department of one.
Biggest lesson learned this year about providing supports to our students: Be intentional; continually assess the appropriateness of the support and be comfortable,committed, and confident in making adjustments as needed.
Single most significant accomplishment over the past year: Increased opportunities for mindfulness to be infused into all components of UI REACH and having two embedded mental health therapists in our program
What you’re most excited about for the coming year: Dilectical Behavior Training (DBT) class (training for staff also) and continue to increase mental health/Social Emotional Learning (SEL) educational groups, partnering with other departments on campus for student referral, SEL assessments, and more.
Largest challenges during the past year: Finding the appropriate supports to meet students’ unique needs (stress, anxiety, grief, depression, friendships/relationships, substance use, etc.)
Biggest lesson learned this year: With appropriate interventions, education and support students can and do change, learn, and grow!
Single most significant accomplishment over the past year: 205 opportunities for students to develop planning/hosting activities, and leadership skills with almost 1,500 hours of peer-peer support.
What you’re most excited about for the coming year: The University of Iowa Division of Student Life is excited about expanding leadership opportunities and campus involvement.
The largest challenge during the past year: motivating and encouraging students who may be apprehensive to build social and independent living skills.
The biggest lesson learned and shared with families this year: providing supports to our students is empowering students to independently problem solve and take a risk, which often resulted in growth and confidence building.
Single most significant accomplishment over the past year: The Career and Transition team collaborated with over 90 different campus and community partners during the 2022-2023 academic year! Partnerships ranged from internships, job shadows, informational interviews, guest speakers, field trips in addition to mock job fairs & interviews. The extensive network of partners allowed students to explore career interests, practice workplace skills, and further develop their career paths. Thank you to all of our partners!
What you’re most excited about for the coming year: Every year it is exciting to be a part of the students' journey as they gain new skills, build their confidence, and flex their self-determination muscles!
Single most significant accomplishment over the past year: Our students more than doubled their UI course enrollments. We had 53 students enroll in 95 courses in 2022-2023 representing a 110% enrollment increase year over year.
What you’re most excited about for the coming year: We will likely double our enrollments again in 2023-2024 and expect over 200 course enrollments.
Largest challenge: working with students and faculty members to help students be successful all across campus.
Lessons learned: We have and are thankful for many willing and supportive academic partners on campus at the University of Iowa!
Most significant accomplishment over the past year: 2022 Summer ReConnect in Minnesota had more than 80 participants. Special thanks to Tracey Doliff, Susie McGregor-Huyer, Lori Roettger, and Tom Schnack. We are excited to host the 2023 Summer ReConnect back in Iowa City and hope you will join us on July 21 – July 23.
Largest challenges and biggest lesson: After having such a rich social life while on campus, alumni struggle to connect socially after graduating. Alumni are most successful socially when there is a planned event for them, but they want to learn to plan for themselves socially. UI REACH will launch an online social skills class this fall to address this challenge.
Where you’re most excited about for the coming year: UI REACH is offering two summer programs for 2023. The first is a weeklong summer program for Project EXPLORE participants in June. UI REACH is also offering a bridge summer program in July for UI REACH incoming students in which incoming students will have the opportunity to spend a week on campus, connect with their cohort, and get acclimated to living on campus before August move in.
Advocacy
In addition to supporting everyday self-advocacy with students at UI REACH, the program has been a part of several advocacy initiatives this year.
Students Binh Nguyen and Desmond Kapayou participated in Hawkeye Caucus Day in Des Moines on April 12, 2023, to share news with legislators about how UI REACH is impacting their lives. Students advocated for a bill sponsored by Rep. Chad Ingles to create additional scholarship support for students with learning differences to attend Comprehensive Transition Programs like UI REACH. Other highlights of the day included photo opportunities with Herky and seeing Gov. Kim Reynolds and UI President Barbara Wilson.
Members of the UI REACH Student Council visited Washington, DC April 16-18, 2023, along with the Iowa Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (ILEND) program to advocate on the national level. Students Binh Nguyen, Mia Able, Sebastien Janelle, and Adam Connor, along with other attendees, visited five congressional offices and had a personal audience with Congressman Chuck Grassley.
Annika Almquist was the third student to participate in the ILEND training this past year. As a result, Almquist also attended the D.C. trip and is pictured telling her story to one of the congressional staff persons.
International Studies
Students Ethan Jones and Jon Ringler recently returned from a two-week study tour in Japan along with 10 other College of Education students and staff. The tour featured learning and teaching opportunities at the Education University of Joetsu along with visits to popular sites in Hiroshima, Kyoto and Tokyo.
UI REACH students made history this year by participating along with other students, faculty, and staff in international studies courses offered through the Baker Teacher Leader Center’s Global Education Initiatives. Ashley Vavak and Binh Nguyen visited Costa Rica over winter break, and Binh is featured in a student spotlight on the BTLC website.
This spring and summer, three additional students will participate in similar initiatives with travel to Ghana and back to Costa Rica. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to see more on these adventures.
Staff & Student Spotlights
We could not be prouder of our students and staff who have achieved great things during the past year.
Students
Six students are selected for a SPOT award by their Student Support Team (SST) each month. Congratulations to this year’s honorees!
- August: Sebastien Janelle, Binh Nguyen
- September: Kael Anderson, John Glasscock, Josh McKinnon, Ashley Vavak, Finn Wicklow
- October: Meg Barinka, Leah Harrington, Izzie Jakubowski, John D’Angelo, Desmond Kapayou
- November: Jon Ringler, Jack Breteinstein, Blake, Aaron Cullen, Elias Ghanem
- December: Matthew Finn, Aaron Dunn, Joe Heinrich, Jordan Cassett, Abby Swenson
- January: Aaron Petrie, Sam Crowe, Megan Boyle, Adia Mortl-Martin, Ethan Jones
- February: Matthew Springer, Mia Abel, Anthony Andreoli, Kenady Weaver
- March: Blake Stewart, Jack Kostal, Evan Wallace, Annika Almquist, Kael Anderson
- April: Leah Harrington, Lily O’Brien, Ben Stangl
Staff
Jennifer McGinn was nominated for the 2023 Mental Health Champion award, which was created by the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health to uplift the efforts of those whose work embeds mental health into all aspects of the University of Iowa’s campus culture in the support of students, faculty, employees, and staff. Congratulations Jenny!
Jennifer Cremers was awarded the Community Builder Award given by the Iowa Association of Community Providers (IACP) at its annual conference and trade show. Cremers was one of six awardees selected from 36 nominations. She was recognized for her efforts in promoting competitive integrated employment for persons with disabilities.
New Board Members
The UI REACH Advisory Board is thrilled to welcome two new members.
Cindy Nordorft is a retired Diversity and Equity Manager formerly with TransAmerica/Aegon. Her nephew, Gabe Donovan, is a UI REACH alumnus and Nordorft supported him during his enrollment at UI REACH. She has been instrumental in connecting UI REACH with TransAmerica/Aegon, who has provided general financial assistance to our scholarship fund.
Gene Boes is Chief Executive Officer at Northwest Center in Seattle, Washington. Boes has a daughter with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and has been a long-term advocate for inclusion for persons with disabilities. Northwest Center’s mission and vision are parallel to those of UI REACH, and Boes lends a great perspective to work of both entities.
Looking Forward
Fall Enrollment – Excitement is already building for the next academic year at UI REACH. We will welcome 25 new students (Male 18, Female 7) from the following states: Iowa , Illinois , California , Minnesota , Colorado, Kansas, Maine, Michingan, and New Jersey. Orientation for new students and families was held on campus May 22-23, 2023. Fifty returning students will join us for another year. Half of these students are returning for a third or fourth year.
New Hire- UI REACH is thrilled to announce that we have hired a new Transition Coordinator. Kathryn (Katie) Abrams is an Illinois native who has served as the director of the ROAR Program at Washington State University for the past 4 years. Abrams recently finished her doctorate in special education at WSU. Her new role at UI REACH will center on transition services for high school youth, person-centered planning facilitation for enrolled UI REACH students, and transition planning for exit from UI REACH. She will begin this summer and will hit the ground running in the new academic year with a wealth of experience. Welcome!
ReConnect 23 – Calling all members of the UI REACH family. Join us in Iowa City on July 21-23, 2023, as we kick off the celebration of 15 years of UI REACH. The event will feature opportunities to connect with the extended UI REACH family over three days of food, fun and fellowship. Registration of $100 includes three meals and event activities. For more information or to register, contact brian-d-campbell@uiowa.edu. We’re hoping to have participation from incoming, current, and former students and their families, along with many UI REACH friends in attendance.
Project EXPLORE – UI REACH, in partnership with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services is launching a new venture for high school students with learning disabilities called Project EXPLORE. The program, which began in April 2023, features monthly information and training sessions that will culminate in development of a post high school graduation plan. Students will also attend a week-long summer camp on the UI campus. Attendees will explore options for employment, training, and continuing education during the nine-month program. Family information training sessions will also be offered. Please help us spread the word about the exciting new initiative, which is sure to benefit students with learning differences and their families. For more information or to register, please contact brian-d-campbell@uiowa.edu.
REACHing Beyond
With support from the Career staff at UI REACH, Iowa Workforce Development and Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS), third year student, Connor Muston, was able to take classes at Kirkwood College’s Cedar Rapids satellite campus and earn two enhanced credentials.
The courses lasted a full semester and tuition was paid by the KPACE program through Iowa Workforce development along with bus passes, required clothing, and welding equipment. IVRS provided funding for additional transportation required to get to and from Cedar rapids four days each week while the classes were in session.
UI REACH in the News
Over the course of the past year, UI REACH has enjoyed several instances of positive press. We’re very proud of the many great mentions of our program in local and national venues. Please take a minute to read about the amazing accomplishments of just a few of our students and alumni.
Graduate spotlight: Daniel McGregor-Huyer
Daniel McGregor-Huyer graduated from the University of Iowa REACH program in 2020, but felt he had unfinished business on campus.
Athletics and UI REACH a slam dunk for students with disabilities
Through the UI REACH program, Cooper Reaves, from Center Point, Iowa, is living out his passion for sports as the student manager for the Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball team.
Finding Peace is in Reach; An Autism Journey
As John Glasscock completes his UI REACH program, read about his UI REACH journey through the eyes of a parent.
Student & Family Quotes
I wish I knew the impact each one of you was making so that I could thank you individually. So let me give a blanket thank you to UI REACH that you can share around with all my gratitude. Warmest regards, Julie Finch
Thank you for this fantastic virtual tour day yesterday. While it is early in our review of programs as our daughter is finishing her freshman year in high school, it was amazing to see your student ambassadors and families who are thriving. We look forward to staying connected to UI REACH over the years ahead. Loran – Tour attendee
Wednesday was University of Iowa Day at the Capitol. I especially enjoyed the chance to speak with the Director of the UI REACH Program, Bill Loyd, and Desmond Kapayou, a first-year student. I have been working on creating a scholarship program through Iowa College Aid for students enrolled in a comprehensive transition program. Representative Chad Ingles. Ingles’ daughter, Kamryn, is a UI REACH alumni.