Bobcat RISE

Texas State’s inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program

Bobcat RISE

Bobcat RISE - (Resilience, Independence, Self-Determination, Empowerment) is Texas State University’s four-year inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). RISE is designed to provide a four-year, non-degree college experience that fosters transition to independent living and employment for young adults with IDD.

Housed in the College of Education, Bobcat RISE will admit students with a range of intellectual and developmental disabilities who are ready for independent but supported living on a college campus. Admitted students will have exited high school and complete self-selected interdisciplinary courses related to their individualized career goals. Enrolled students will have options for fully integrated living with other Texas State students through a partnership with American Campus Communities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Brooks A. Hull Vice President University Advancement

601 University Drive, J.C. Kellam 960 San Marcos, Texas 78666 brookshull@txstate.edu 512-245-3021

Inclusion trainings will be conducted with key touchpoint entities on campus, including campus recreation, campus activities, and health services. RISE staff will work with students to modify syllabi and develop individual learning agreements. Students will participate in support sessions that focus on adjustments to college life, financial literacy, self-advocacy, self-determination, independent living skills, and career development.

Service learning and paid internships will be incorporated into the program to develop career skills, with a major program outcome being employment and independent living. Students completing Bobcat RISE will participate in commencement and receive a non-academic certificate.

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Bobcat RISE will admit five students in the first cohort in fall 2023, followed by 10 students every fall semester thereafter. Thus, the intended program capacity of 40 students will be realized beginning in fall 2027. Admission criteria will include the following areas and be representative of the diverse communities of Texas:

• Students must serve as their own legal guardian

• Students independently desire to attend college as well as achieve greater independence and future employment

• Students can safely navigate the campus

• Students can function independently for sustained blocks of time

Because of the emphasis on employment outcomes, Texas State plans to seek certification as a comprehensive transition and postsecondary (CTP) program for students with IDD, which means that students making satisfactory academic progress will be eligible for federal student aid programs. Currently, there are only eight IPSE programs at Texas universities and only four have been designated as four-year CTP programs with none in the capital region of Austin. As a minority-majority Hispanic-Serving Institution, Texas State is uniquely positioned to provide a CTP program that will serve the needs of diverse students in Central Texas, regardless of financial status. For initial unsubsidized participants, the total cost of attendance is estimated at $23,320, including tuition and program fees, room, meals, and living expenses. After we obtain four-year CTP status, students can obtain federal aid.

Beyond employment outcomes, students enrolled in Bobcat RISE will experience the development and growth of academic, work, personal and life skills, friendships, self-determination, self-advocacy, independent living, and community participation.

This work is supported by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities through a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Washington, D.C. 20201, with a 100% federal funding award totaling $5,907,507. Council efforts are those of the grantee and do not necessarily represent the official views of nor are endorsed by ACL, HHS, or the U.S. government.