student leadership conference at sota
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OCTOBER 7-8, 2020 AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
Are you ready for another awesome conference?
Fantastic, student led presentations! Campus activities and, of course, Karaoke!
Download the 2019 agenda here
Fantastic, student led presentations! Campus activities and, of course, Karaoke!
Download the 2019 agenda here
The Student Leadership Conference (SLC) is an opportunity for current and future college students to:
The SLC is committed to centering the voices, wisdom, and experiences of college students with intellectual disabilities. The SLC is open to all students, with an emphasis on young adults who are transitioning into college and current college students. The focus is on students with intellectual disabilities and their peers, including traditionally enrolled friends, classmates, and mentors.
SLC runs concurrent to the State of the Art Conference on October 7-8, 2020
- Connect with peers from across the country
- Learn useful tools to empower your transition into college life
- Expand your potential to serve as student advocates and leaders in the growing field of inclusive higher education
- Have fun!
The SLC is committed to centering the voices, wisdom, and experiences of college students with intellectual disabilities. The SLC is open to all students, with an emphasis on young adults who are transitioning into college and current college students. The focus is on students with intellectual disabilities and their peers, including traditionally enrolled friends, classmates, and mentors.
SLC runs concurrent to the State of the Art Conference on October 7-8, 2020
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2019 Session Descriptions
DAY 1
Tell Us Your Story: What Does College Mean to You?
Beth Myers, Ed.D. & Michael Gill, Ph.D.
Taishoff Center & Syracuse University
In this workshop, you will have a chance to create a story about your college experience. We want to learn from you about what you think about being a student. Your stories can use words, drawings, video, photos, or other ideas. During the workshop, you will also learn about an opportunity to work with Beth and Mike to have your story published. For participants not yet in college, you will have a chance to discuss your own school experiences or your hopes for college.
Stephen Glover, Yonathan Berhan, & Julliannea Plummer
ACHIEVE at Highline College
The Importance of Self-Advocacy and Taking Initiative
For some students, it takes time to open up or ask for help. If they wait too long, they can miss the time when they have a lot of support in college (advisors, mentors, teachers). Therefore, they should start to advocate for themselves as soon as possible to make the most of their college experience. From our presentation, students will learn why self-advocacy is important and that their dreams are not too far away from them if they're really working on making them come true.
Elise McDaniel & Rachel Smith
UT FUTURE
Getting Involved in College Outside the Classroom!
This topic is important to us because it gets students excited about college life which goes beyond the classroom. We want to share about our own experiences. We also think this is important to making friends in college. This presentation will share the importance of being involved. It will also offer suggestions on how to get involved. A short panel on being engaged in college will follow this presentation, including Ian Zehner from UNR- Path to Independence.
Creative and Recreational Activities to Enhance Your College Experiences
Choose from a Virtual Reality Session, Yoga, a Campus Tour or Chill Time
(need to include locations in case people are meeting up)
Steven Brief
Autism Explained by Steven Brief
Tools and Tips to Alleviate Depression and Anxiety
I have autism and with that I have dealt with depression and anxiety all my life. I have also lost many friends because after they graduated the stress caused them to commit suicide. Depression is a constant shadow that hangs over me and many like me. If I can speak on the tools and skills that I have been taught I'm certain I can help my audience. I know that shadow that hangs over us, and if I can help them not feel alone and teach them how to see the light in life, I would appreciate it immensely. Even if I only have an audience with only one person who needs help, it would be worth the world to me.
Connor Fogal, Jesse Rojas, & George McKinlay
University of Nevada- Reno: Path to Independence
Using Assistive Technology to be Successful in College
I want to show that there are ways to make college accessible through assistive technology. Assistive technology can help students with reading and communicating their thoughts. I use a head mouse to do photography and videography. I am also a painter and use a head pointer, which helps me to paint without using my arms. Now that I'm done with college, I use assistive technology for my job as a VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) member at UNR. Soon I will be living independently and I can use my phone to control the lights, TV and other household devices. This will be helpful to students looking for more independence.
DAY 2
Micah Fialka Feldman, Kenneth Kelty, Kailin Kelderman, & Jesse Rojas
Trailblazers: Life After College
This panel will offer a chance to hear from graduates of inclusive postsecondary programs from around the country. They will share their experiences in college, their transition after graduating, and their advice to current and future students.
Sydney Uitz & Micah Fialka Feldman
Mason LIFE at George Mason University & Syracuse University
Healthy Relationships
Healthy relationships are important for us. Students can get an idea of what a healthy relationship is. They will also learn how to avoid situations that can ruin other healthy relationships. Students will share from personal experiences as well.
Antonio Contreras, Jean Hauff, Andrew Benbenek
Georgia Tech EXCEL, Orono School District & InclusiveU
Pathways to College
It is important for people to hear the different stories of how students have set goals to prepare for college and for life after college. Some students go to college right after high school. Some students take a gap year. Some students need a couple of tries before they find the right college for them. How do people who have IDD who want to go to college find their way? How do they set goals that help them get prepared for college?
How Can Think College Provide Good Resource for Students?
ThinkCollege
This session will be a discussion with staff at Think College to gather student input on our website (thinkcollege.net) and what we can add or change to make it useful for students looking for information about college options. Or is social media better than a website for students? What is the best format for resources? Think College staff will show their current website and social media pages, introduce some ideas we have about what to add that would be useful to students and then have a discussion with attendees to get their advice and ideas.
Sadie Anderson
Aggies Elevated at Utah State University
Courage: Facing My Fears to Reach New Heights
Having courage and facing your fears in all kinds of situations is what you need to do to grow. Other students will hear about some hard situations Sadie faced, how she handled it, and what she learned.
Cleo Hamilton & Karly Grifasi
InclusiveU at Syracuse University
Applying for and Getting a Scholarship
This presentation discusses the process of receiving a competitive scholarship, specifically the Remembrance Scholarship at Syracuse University. Cleo will discuss the application process and the responsibilities of being a remembrance scholar. The scholarship process involved an extensive application, an interview process, and finally the selection as a remembrance scholar, one of the highest honors at Syracuse University. Cleo’s advice to other students is to apply to things even if they are competitive and to be involved on their campus.
Alex Zarabi & Daniel Brawner
Next Steps at Vanderbilt University
Successfully Completing a College Class
As rising seniors in the Next Steps at Vanderbilt program, we have both successfully taken many inclusive college courses. We've taken classes ranging in all sizes and subjects. During our first 3 years as college students we have had both successes and struggles in our college courses, and we feel it is important to share strategies we have learned for successfully completing inclusive college classes. We want other students to benefit from what we have learned about successfully staying on top of assignments, actively participating in class, and learning new information, skills, and subjects.
DAY 1
Tell Us Your Story: What Does College Mean to You?
Beth Myers, Ed.D. & Michael Gill, Ph.D.
Taishoff Center & Syracuse University
In this workshop, you will have a chance to create a story about your college experience. We want to learn from you about what you think about being a student. Your stories can use words, drawings, video, photos, or other ideas. During the workshop, you will also learn about an opportunity to work with Beth and Mike to have your story published. For participants not yet in college, you will have a chance to discuss your own school experiences or your hopes for college.
Stephen Glover, Yonathan Berhan, & Julliannea Plummer
ACHIEVE at Highline College
The Importance of Self-Advocacy and Taking Initiative
For some students, it takes time to open up or ask for help. If they wait too long, they can miss the time when they have a lot of support in college (advisors, mentors, teachers). Therefore, they should start to advocate for themselves as soon as possible to make the most of their college experience. From our presentation, students will learn why self-advocacy is important and that their dreams are not too far away from them if they're really working on making them come true.
Elise McDaniel & Rachel Smith
UT FUTURE
Getting Involved in College Outside the Classroom!
This topic is important to us because it gets students excited about college life which goes beyond the classroom. We want to share about our own experiences. We also think this is important to making friends in college. This presentation will share the importance of being involved. It will also offer suggestions on how to get involved. A short panel on being engaged in college will follow this presentation, including Ian Zehner from UNR- Path to Independence.
Creative and Recreational Activities to Enhance Your College Experiences
Choose from a Virtual Reality Session, Yoga, a Campus Tour or Chill Time
(need to include locations in case people are meeting up)
Steven Brief
Autism Explained by Steven Brief
Tools and Tips to Alleviate Depression and Anxiety
I have autism and with that I have dealt with depression and anxiety all my life. I have also lost many friends because after they graduated the stress caused them to commit suicide. Depression is a constant shadow that hangs over me and many like me. If I can speak on the tools and skills that I have been taught I'm certain I can help my audience. I know that shadow that hangs over us, and if I can help them not feel alone and teach them how to see the light in life, I would appreciate it immensely. Even if I only have an audience with only one person who needs help, it would be worth the world to me.
Connor Fogal, Jesse Rojas, & George McKinlay
University of Nevada- Reno: Path to Independence
Using Assistive Technology to be Successful in College
I want to show that there are ways to make college accessible through assistive technology. Assistive technology can help students with reading and communicating their thoughts. I use a head mouse to do photography and videography. I am also a painter and use a head pointer, which helps me to paint without using my arms. Now that I'm done with college, I use assistive technology for my job as a VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) member at UNR. Soon I will be living independently and I can use my phone to control the lights, TV and other household devices. This will be helpful to students looking for more independence.
DAY 2
Micah Fialka Feldman, Kenneth Kelty, Kailin Kelderman, & Jesse Rojas
Trailblazers: Life After College
This panel will offer a chance to hear from graduates of inclusive postsecondary programs from around the country. They will share their experiences in college, their transition after graduating, and their advice to current and future students.
Sydney Uitz & Micah Fialka Feldman
Mason LIFE at George Mason University & Syracuse University
Healthy Relationships
Healthy relationships are important for us. Students can get an idea of what a healthy relationship is. They will also learn how to avoid situations that can ruin other healthy relationships. Students will share from personal experiences as well.
Antonio Contreras, Jean Hauff, Andrew Benbenek
Georgia Tech EXCEL, Orono School District & InclusiveU
Pathways to College
It is important for people to hear the different stories of how students have set goals to prepare for college and for life after college. Some students go to college right after high school. Some students take a gap year. Some students need a couple of tries before they find the right college for them. How do people who have IDD who want to go to college find their way? How do they set goals that help them get prepared for college?
How Can Think College Provide Good Resource for Students?
ThinkCollege
This session will be a discussion with staff at Think College to gather student input on our website (thinkcollege.net) and what we can add or change to make it useful for students looking for information about college options. Or is social media better than a website for students? What is the best format for resources? Think College staff will show their current website and social media pages, introduce some ideas we have about what to add that would be useful to students and then have a discussion with attendees to get their advice and ideas.
Sadie Anderson
Aggies Elevated at Utah State University
Courage: Facing My Fears to Reach New Heights
Having courage and facing your fears in all kinds of situations is what you need to do to grow. Other students will hear about some hard situations Sadie faced, how she handled it, and what she learned.
Cleo Hamilton & Karly Grifasi
InclusiveU at Syracuse University
Applying for and Getting a Scholarship
This presentation discusses the process of receiving a competitive scholarship, specifically the Remembrance Scholarship at Syracuse University. Cleo will discuss the application process and the responsibilities of being a remembrance scholar. The scholarship process involved an extensive application, an interview process, and finally the selection as a remembrance scholar, one of the highest honors at Syracuse University. Cleo’s advice to other students is to apply to things even if they are competitive and to be involved on their campus.
Alex Zarabi & Daniel Brawner
Next Steps at Vanderbilt University
Successfully Completing a College Class
As rising seniors in the Next Steps at Vanderbilt program, we have both successfully taken many inclusive college courses. We've taken classes ranging in all sizes and subjects. During our first 3 years as college students we have had both successes and struggles in our college courses, and we feel it is important to share strategies we have learned for successfully completing inclusive college classes. We want other students to benefit from what we have learned about successfully staying on top of assignments, actively participating in class, and learning new information, skills, and subjects.
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2019 Bios
Stephen Glover My name is Stephen Glover. I’m a student at Highline College and a photographer for the Highline newspaper called ThunderWord. Becoming a professional photographer is my goal because I’m amazing at taking pictures. My college goals are accomplishing my school work, focusing on my Arts, and learning new things how to take care of myself as an adult. Yonathan Berhan My name is Yonathan Berhan. I attend Highline College and participate in the Achieve program. I enjoy taking part in leadership in my community. An example of this is that I love to cook, I have an internship in which I give instructions about knife safety. I have been on a swim team for the last eight years, and have even participated in Special Olympics. I was also student speaker at my (Evergreen High Schools) graduation ceremony. Lastly, I enjoy music. I am a percussionist, and also have been part of St. Gabriel ‘s choir for about all my life. Ultimately, I would love to go into basic Health Care or into technology. I can't see very well, and have been diagnosed with autism, this has largely impacted my academic and career options. With that being said, I am ambitious and know I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. Julliannea Plummer Hello, my name is Julliannea Plummer . I graduated with Achieve Comprehensive Certificate in 2018 and Visual communications AAS Degree in 2019. Also, I am still attending Highline College for a new Program called Integrated Design Bachelor Degree. In addition to that, I work as a Peer Navigator in the Achieve program and help students with disabilities to get involved in campus activities and support them in class. On my free time, I like to read manga books and watch some good anime. Also, I love taking pictures of landscapes and events. Elise McDaniel Elise McDaniel is from Knoxville TN. I am a second year in the FUTURE program at the University of Tennessee. I have worked at UT system president Randy Boyd’s office and at Young Life. This is my first year living on campus this year. Rachel Smith Rachel Smith is a second year FUTURE student at the University of Tennessee. She has worked at Mobile Meals and for the women's soccer team. She likes college because it is fun. Ian Zehner Ian Zehner graduated from Path to Independence in 2017. Ian loves to dance and is Michael Jackson’s #1 fan! He is working as an usher in the showroom of the Grand Sierra Resort. He participates in tennis and softball. Ian is currently making plans to move out and live independently. Steven Brief My name is Steven Brief and I have autism. I’ve had a lot of bumps in the road in my life. Throughout it I’ve been told by others, what my limitations are, and what I’ll never be able to achieve. I became non-verbal and went into an autistic coma at a young age. I was never supposed to lead a normal life. I wasn’t supposed to speak or graduate. These were doctors with high level college degrees told my family what I’ll never be able to do. With the help of my family and with hard work and dedication. I managed to prove the doctors wrong graduating at the top of my class. I want to help many people like me know that no matter what bars, and walls are set against you. With hard work and dedication anything is possible. Connor Fogal HI! My name is Connor, I am 24 and although born with cerebral palsy it hasn’t stopped me from doing what I love to do. I love to paint, snow ski, run marathons. My goal is to bring awareness to the world about all types of disabilities. I want people to know that disabled people want & deserve to be treated just like you. When I was brought home to my family as a baby, my parents were told I would never function and that my life would revolve around acute fulltime care due to my Cerebral Palsy. When I was brought home to my family as a baby, my parents were told I would never function and that my life would revolve around acute fulltime care due to my Cerebral Palsy. In the years following, I became an avid skier, using a modified device that would allow me to not just ski, but to show off a little. Jesse Rojas Jesse Rojas lives in Dayton, NV, about 40 miles from Reno. He graduated from Path to Independence last spring. While attending UNR, he would get a ride to Carson City and take the inter-city bus to Reno, and transfer again to get to UNR each day. He is currently a full-time VISTA member, a Volunteer In Service To America, with the Path to Independence program, where he works with social media and other assignments. He hopes to start real estate school at the end of his VISTA service. George McKinlay George McKinlay is the Data Systems Manager for the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities and Project Director for the Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center. George has an extensive background in Data Management, Web Development and Accessibility, Universal Design and Assistive Technology for people with disabilities. He also teaches a Disabilities Issues class in Community Health Sciences at UNR and engages his students in several projects regarding assistive technology and community accessibility each semester. Kenneth Kelty Kenneth Kelty is a graduate of The Western Carolina University Participants UP Program and graduated in 2014. He has been a part of two graduate level leadership cohorts representing disability advocacy. Kenneth has been a part time administrative assistant with The Arc of The Triangle in Raleigh NC for 5 years. Kenneth was the 2017 recipient of The Laura Lee Self-Advocate Leadership Award and The UNC CIDD Impact Award recipient of 2018; his name is on the plaque there. He has spoken at many local and national conferences sharing his story about Exceeding Expectations and going to college. Kenneth is currently the VP of Public Relations at The Tarheel Toastmasters Club in Raleigh and hopes to become a professional speaker. Kenneth has a public Facebook page Kenneth Kelty, Public Speaker and Author. He loves traveling and photography. Kenneth has two dogs Zeus and Bowie. Kailin Kelderman Kailin Kelderman graduated from Path to Independence in 2016. She works as a prep cook at the Laughing Planet Cafe. She takes yoga class and participates in Tennis and softball. Kailin lives on her own in a small house near the university and the Laughing Planet. Sydney Uitz Sydney is a Junior in the Mason LIFE Program at George Mason University. She is working on her concentration in child development. After graduation, she looks forward to working with young children in a school setting. Micah Fialka-Feldman Micah Fialka-Feldman is a self-advocate, teaching assistant, outreach coordinator, national speaker, and pioneer who fights for disability-pride, justice, and inclusion. He is part of the first wave of adults with intellectual disabilities who have attended college and has been fully included in school and community. Micah’s disability advocacy has a foundation in the creation of the “Beloved Community” and the notion that “A community that excludes even one of its members is not a community at all.” Micah earned a certificate in Disability Studies from the Syracuse University School of Education in 2015. Micah currently lives in Syracuse N.Y. where he co-teaches classes in inclusive education and disability studies. He is an outreach coordinator at the Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education. In May of 2014, Micah was appointed by President Obama to President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. He is featured in the upcoming documentary by Dan Habib, Intelligent Lives. In 2009, Micah won a landmark federal lawsuit, Fialka-Feldman v. Oakland University Board of Trustees, to live in the dorms at Oakland University. After Micah had been accepted to live in the dorms in 2007, he received notification from the university that he could not live in the dorm because of “university policy.” The administration argued that he was not considered a “degree-seeking” student. Micah sued Oakland University for violating his rights. After over two years of advocacy court proceedings, the Honorable Judge Duggan of the U.S. 6th District Court ruled that Oakland University had denied Micah housing based on “prejudice, stereotypes and/or unfounded fear of persons with disabilities.” Micah moved into the dorms in January of 2010. Antonio Contretas Antonio E. Contreras is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and is now a freshman at Georgia Tech. He is active in the public speaking club and Campus Christian Fellowship. Antonio loves working out at the gym, playing video games, and playing basketball. His work experience includes a congressional internship for Congressman Ro Khanna, a Fulfillment Associate at Amazon, and a Ministry Intern at Echo Church. Jean Hauff Jean M. Hauff is from Minnetonka, Minnesota. She is in her second year of transition at Orono Public Schools. She is taking some college classes and gaining work experience. She has helped Orono educate local businesses about employing students with disabilities. She has had several internships and started her first job. She is working for A Backyard Farm. She also is a Social Media Intern with INclusive Networking. Jean is currently researching and applying to a number of college programs. She would like to go to college. Jean enjoys animals, downhill skiing, music and camping. Sadie Anderson Sadie Anderson is a 21-year-old student from Tremonton, Utah, who is enrolled in the Aggies Elevated program at Utah State University. She will graduate in May 2020 with a Certificate in Integrated College and Community Studies. Her internship is at the Aggie Recreation Center, where she works at the equipment desk and the front desk. After Aggies Elevated, she wants to serve a humanitarian mission for her church, and then attend Snow College in Ephraim, Utah to major in outdoor recreation leadership. In her spare time, she enjoys dirt bike racing, any kind of sports, music, and her playing with her new niece. Alex Zarabi My name is Alex Zarabi and I am a senior at Vanderbilt University. I am in the Next Steps Class of 2020. My future career goal is to work in the sports field and also work in a hospital environment like the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. I am friendly, nice, funny, and caring. I enjoy playing sports and helping others. Daniel Brawner My name is Daniel Brawner. I am a senior at Vanderbilt University’s Next Steps Class of 2020. I am also an accomplished deer hunter, fisherman and an Eagle Scout. I am currently employed part time at Home Depot in their lumber department. My future career goal is to continue to work at The Home Depot and be able to work in other departments. |
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2019 Cost
The cost for students SLC attendees is $70 for the entire conference. Support staff/family members who will provide support/accommodations for attendees will be charged a rate of $35 per day. The cost includes:
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Accommodations
We have arranged for a room block at the Sheraton Hotel. Link will be provided when registration opens in April/
We have arranged for a room block at the Sheraton Hotel. Link will be provided when registration opens in April/
***Note:
There will still be a family support track at the State of the Art Conference as in past years. Family members and students who wish to attend the main SOTA conference for those sessions and resources should still do so.
There will still be a family support track at the State of the Art Conference as in past years. Family members and students who wish to attend the main SOTA conference for those sessions and resources should still do so.
