NC State ‘Elevate Program’ Aims for Disability Inclusion

North Carolina State University is now accepting applications for its inclusive postsecondary education program, Elevate, until the beginning of October. This new NC State program is specifically designed to support students with intellectual or developmental disabilities, offering them a unique opportunity to gain non-degree credentials in a university environment.

Elevate represents a groundbreaking university-wide initiative housed within N.C. State’s College of Education. The program aims to equip students with academic, personal, and social skills that can transform their futures. At the conclusion of the four-year program, participants are expected to have developed a strong foundation of competencies that enhance their independence and career readiness.

Tamira White, Elevate program director, emphasized the program’s focus on career exploration in fields such as science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. Students will also have access to a wide array of resources across N.C. State’s campus and in its surrounding communities.

“We will use cutting-edge technology to provide each Elevate student an opportunity to grow academically and socially, and prepare them to launch their successful careers,” White said.

The Elevate program came to life through funding allocated by the General Assembly to establish educational opportunities for students with disabilities. White explained that these funds helped create a comprehensive initiative designed to bridge the gap in postsecondary education for this population.

To qualify for Elevate, applicants must meet several criteria. They must be at least 18 years old, reside in North Carolina, and have an intellectual disability. Additionally, they must provide proof of eligibility for special education services and an Individual Education Program.

The application process involves four steps. First, applicants must complete the university’s online application form. They are also required to submit several supplementary documents, including:

• Proof of an intellectual disability
• High school transcript(s)
• Two recommendations
• Parent/guardian questionnaire
• Student questionnaire

While the application is due by Oct. 1, supporting documents must be submitted no later than Oct. 15. After the application materials are reviewed, selected candidates will be invited to an on-campus interview, scheduled between late October and early November. The admissions committee, comprising members of the Elevate team, representatives from N.C. State’s College of Education, and representatives from the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, will choose six students for admission. All committee members bring specialized experience and training in supporting individuals with disabilities.

Applicants will receive updates on their status starting Nov. 15 on a rolling basis. Those admitted will join the program in the spring 2025 semester, marking the start of an exciting new chapter in their educational journeys.

In a significant move to promote accessibility, each student admitted to the spring 2025 cohort will receive a scholarship covering tuition and fees for their first year. For the inaugural semester, students will need to commute, but housing accommodations will be available starting in the fall 2025 semester.

Beth Feur, an assistant teaching professor for the program, brings valuable expertise in researching self-determination outcomes for diverse learners. Feur is passionate about creating inclusive classrooms where all students feel empowered to express themselves and take an active role in their learning.

“Ultimately, I aim to create a learning environment that is deeply rooted in community, whereby students utilize and apply their funds of knowledge and personal experiences, and we work together to co-construct knowledge and develop new understandings from one another,” Feur said.

The university outlined the program’s pillars of success in a press release: academics, employment, personal development, independent living, and social engagement. These pillars serve as the foundation for Elevate’s comprehensive approach to postsecondary education.

White encouraged prospective students and families to consider Elevate for its high-quality educational and vocational training opportunities. She shared that developing this program has been a long-held aspiration of hers.

“I am from Durham and am excited for new opportunities to improve adulthood for North Carolina students in the Triangle and surrounding communities,” White said.

The new NC State program offers an unparalleled chance for students with intellectual disabilities to pursue meaningful growth, career readiness, and independence. As White and her team prepare for Elevate’s inaugural class, they aim to set a standard for inclusive education in North Carolina and beyond.