Cody Krener, a sophomore, motions to Elliott Venable, a member of the University’s LIFE program.
“Hey, E, come check this out,” Krener calls, referring to Venable by his nickname. The two have been friends since kindergarten at Our Lady of Fatima School.
Both glance at Krener’s cell phone and smile. Perhaps it’s at the music video on the screen. Or, maybe they’re remembering the time Krener showed Venable 28 randomly selected country music videos, and Venable named each artist and song correctly.
“Edzٳ really likes country music,” Krener says, provoking a laugh from Venable.
The pair hammed it up at a recent gathering to celebrate Venable’s and three other students’ successful completion of two semesters in the Learning Is For Everyone (LIFE) program. It was started last fall for students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.
Venable, Brooke Hebert, Charli Weber, and Robert Zepernick are the first students participating in the program. They take classes designed and taught specifically for them, audit regularly scheduled classes with other students, and attend campus events and social activities. Each student is accompanied by an academic mentor, such as Krener.
The LIFE Program is modeled on similar programs at universities such as Clemson and George Mason. It’s designed to give students an academic foundation, work experience, and social opportunities that will help them prepare for careers.
It also fulfills a need that wasn’t being met in the Acadiana region, said Dr. Jim Henderson, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at the 51Ƶ at Lafayette.
The University conducted a “needs assessment,” before launching the LIFE Program. It consulted with family members of potential students and community members, such as school counselors.
“There are some terrific programs that provide educational opportunities for students with disabilities at the K-12 level, including at St. Thomas More Catholic High School. But there were no higher education programs to help student development,” Henderson said.
At St. Thomas More, Krener and Venable participated in the Options Program, the school’s academic program for students with developmental disabilities. Both, Krener recalled during a recent interview, also were members of the football team. Krener was a defensive end and special teams player. Venable dressed out for practices and games.
“Edzٳ had his own play every Thursday at practice. He would run for a touchdown,” Krener explained.
Now, Krener works with Venable and other LIFE students. He said helping students be a part of the University community is as important to him as teaching academics or life skills.
“We try to get the students involved, just like any other college student,” said Krener, 20, a secondary education major. “We eat lunch in the Student Union, and we take them to different places, like the library, or sporting events.”
LIFE Program director Mary-Carolyn Duffy said students complete an introductory semester of orientation-style courses to help them get familiar with campus, then audit classes.
“It could be either actual academic courses that are offered by the University, or continuing education courses,” Duffy explained.
Each student’s individual curriculum is tailored to reflect their interests, and potential career goals.
Venable, who likes sports and fitness, will audit a kinesiology course that blends classroom instruction and weightlifting this fall, for example. Fellow LIFE member Robert Zepernick, who’s interested in photography, will audit a digital photography class.
Students also attend “life skills” sessions four days each week, for several hours, in Lee Hall. Those sessions are conducted by Duffy, with help from Krener. Students “work on skills to help them become more independent, things like counting money, or mastering a calculator, or ordering in a restaurant,” Duffy said.
Internships in campus offices and departments are a possibility for LIFE students who don’t already have jobs.
Warren Hebert, the father of LIFE Program member Brooke, said her social skills have always been strong. He credits her position as the youngest of five children, and the Options Program at St. Thomas More.
“But we’re seeing even more development here at UL,” Hebert said. “Brooke’s gaining more independence, and her social skills are continuing to evolve. Her communications skills are continuing to grow, too. She’s starting to show a dry sense of humor, which is something we haven’t seen before.”
The LIFE Program was started in the Fall of 2014. The first four students were from St. Thomas More, where Duffy was a special education teacher for five years.
Based on its success, as many as four more students will be able to enter the program this fall. “Four at the start of each fall semester will be the maximum for now. We want to build a strong core before we consider expanding,” Duffy said.
To be eligible for the LIFE Program, students must have finished a high school special education program.
Prospective students and their families complete a comprehensive application and interview process. That process includes at least three recommendations, including from teachers and someone who knows a student outside of an academic setting. “It could be a coach, or a family friend,” Duffy said. “We want a well-rounded view of who that person is.”
A team of University administration, faculty and staff members makes admissions decisions. That team includes representatives of the College of Education, and Office of Disability Services, Duffy, and Henderson.
“I feel really strongly that we are serving the community, and, by being inclusive, providing a better education for all of our students. That is the role of a university,” Henderson said.
“The balancing act is, because the LIFE Program receives no state funds, we must rely on a blend of private donations and tuition, which is higher than that for undergraduates, while still making the program affordable.”
Tuition for the program is $3,324 per semester for each student, who takes specially designed courses and audits no more than six credit hours of regularly scheduled courses most semesters.
Henderson said that as the LIFE Program develops and grows, it could potentially qualify for federal assistance programs that would assist low-income students.
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Photo:
UL Lafayette’s new LIFE program recently held an end-of-the-year reception at the Alumni Center on St. Mary Boulevard. Shown, from left, are: front row, LIFE students Elliott Venable, Brooke Hebert, Charli Weber, Robert Zepernick and LIFE director Mary-Carolyn Duffy; back row, academic mentors Janson Delaney, Natalie Richard, Evan Tatford, George Rees, Cody Krener, Hailey Ortte, and Dr. James Henderson, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.