Mount Vernon Nazarene University announced the launch of a two-year certificate program designed to help high school graduates with intellectual disabilities. The new initiative is aimed at promoting independence, academic progress, and job readiness for this unique set of students.
Moving onto the specifics of the program, Independence and Growth Nurtured through Integrated Training and Education (IGNITE), is a residential program that MVNU said will focus on academics, self-determination, independent living, and employment, according to an MVNU press release. Participants are expected to fully engage in residential life and spiritual formation learning.
Highlighting the benefits of the IGNITE initiative, "MVNU’s campus will be a richer place of learning when IGNITE scholars arrive on our campus. Students with intellectual disabilities have so much to offer and our campus community is excited to learn and grow together," said Amy Kovach, MVNU vice president of Academic Affairs at MVNU.
In relation to support mechanisms in place for students, An IGNITE Learning Partner will support students in the program, according to an MVNU press release. Students will take at least two inclusive college courses each semester. Housing and job mentors will help them foster meaningful connections and develop employment skills. Planning meetings centered on the individual student will help determine career pathways and enable them to set goals.
Focusing on practical experience opportunities within the course, Structured internship opportunities will be part of the program, starting with job shadowing during the first semester which will help them prepare for an internship, according to the MVNU press release. An on-campus internship follows in the second semester. Off-campus internships will take place during the third and fourth semesters The IGNITE program will enable them to experience holistic growth in academic, spiritual and social development within the Christian community.
Delving into the eligibility criteria for the initiative, Potential students must meet several requirements for the program, including having an intellectual disability, having been eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, having a high school diploma or the equivalent, and being between 18 and 25 years old at the start of the program, according to the MVNU press release.
Addressing issues of affordability, Costs will align with traditional undergraduate costs, according to the MVNU press release, and IGNITE students should be eligible for three types of federal financial aid.
For those interested in discovering more about this educational opportunity, To learn more details, prospective students, parents, teachers, community agency representatives and others are invited to participate in online information sessions scheduled for Dec. 12 from noon to 1 p.m. or Jan. 17, 2024, from 5 to 6 p.m., according to the MVNU press release. Login information can be found at https://mvnu.edu/academics/on-campus/undergraduate/ignite-visit/.
