Across October 29-30, the Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education—part of the Syracuse University School of Education’s Center on Disability and Inclusion—held the State of the Art (SOTA) Conference on Inclusive Postsecondary Education and Individuals with Intellectual Disability in Chapel Hill, NC.
SOTA is a national conference chaired by Taishoff Center Executive Director Beth Myers that convenes colleges, universities, researchers, program staff, parents, and students to discuss the current state of research and effective practices in the field of inclusive postsecondary and higher education. Nearly 400 people attended, including Rehabilitation Services Administration Commissioner Danté Allen, who delivered keynote remarks.
View the Photo AlbumThe conference intentionally moves to a new location each year, with the mission of increasing access to and awareness of inclusive higher education. In the past, it has been held in Reno, NV, and Colorado Springs, CO. The opening session this year featured students from three inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs in North Carolina, presenting a keynote panel titled, “What Does Inclusive Postsecondary Education Really Mean to Us?”
Kimberly Hernandez (Integrative Community Studies, UNC Greensboro), Jamaal Dion (University Participant Program, Western Carolina University), and Nick Curry (Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program at Appalachian State) all discussed their IPSE experiences at their respective institutions. The panel moderator, Kenneth Kelty, alumni from Western Carolina University and current employee at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, recorded the panel for his podcast, Exceeding Expectations with Kenneth Kelty.
The Student Leadership Conference (SLC), which runs parallel to SOTA, brought together more than 80 current and future college students to discuss useful tools for the transition to college life, to expand their skills as student advocates and leaders, and to meet peers from across the country. Student presenters covered session topics spanning academics, campus involvement, advocacy, wellness, and employment.
This year’s host sponsor was the University of North Carolina’s Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities in partnership with Work Together NC. Conference attendees and families from the region also were welcomed to UNC campus to attend the 6th Annual Inclusive College Fair. A highlight of the conference in recent years, the College Fair is completely free and open to the public. More than 40 colleges, universities, and inclusive organizations from around the country were present to answer questions from parents and prospective students.
Leadership Awards were presented to six deserving honorees whose outstanding achievements are advancing the work of inclusive postsecondary education in the areas of policy, research, advocacy, and practice. The recipients were:
- Martha Mock (University of Rochester)
Debra Hart Policy & Practice Award - Denise Rozell (Association of University Centers on Disabilities)
George Jesien National Leadership Award - Martha Haythorn (Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities)
Laura Lee Leadership Award - Rebecca Smith Hill (University of South Carolina Center for Transition Research and Leadership)
Megan Cartier Early Career Scholar Award - Julie Lackey (Lead Learn Live) and Mary Hauff (Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center)
State-Level Leadership Award
Shafreya Wilkins, a senior in the Taishoff Center’s InclusiveU program, has attended the conference for the past three years and has been a presenter for the past two. When asked what her favorite part of the conference was this year, she instantly replied that it was Laura Lee Leadership Award winner Martha Haythorn’s speech: “When Martha said ‘Who you are is how you lead’, I wrote this down, because I felt this in my soul.”
Another highlight this year was a conference-wide policy discussion led by Denise Rozell (Association of University Centers on Disabilities) and Stephanie Smith Lee (National Down Syndrome Congress), who gave insight into the impacts of recent congressional activity and important bill propositions relating to college students with intellectual disabilities and derivative topics such as financial assistance, jobs, and community supports.
Of this year’s conference, Beth Myers says, “With just around 300 inclusive postsecondary programs in the country, our conference brings together the field’s best minds to push for more access. I’m incredibly proud of how State of the Art continues to grow year over year and produce partnerships that create more opportunities for students with intellectual disability to go to college. We are truly lucky to have such a passionate community.”
Next year’s SOTA Conference is set for October 2025 in Syracuse, NY. For updates, subscribe to the conference mailing list and follow the State of the Art Conference Facebook page.
2024 Sponsors
Syracuse University School of Education’s Center on Disability and Inclusion; American Association of People with Disabilities; The Arc; Association of University Centers on Disabilities; Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities; Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts-Boston (Think College); Mason LIFE Program at George Mason University; National Down Syndrome Congress; National Down Syndrome Society; Ruby’s Rainbow; Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program at Appalachian State; Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools; Syracuse University Office of Diversity and Inclusion; Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network; UNC Greensboro Integrative Community Studies