CrossingPoints College Prep Summit Hits 5-Year Milestone

The CrossingPoints Program at The University of Alabama held its fifth annual College Prep Summit on the UA campus hosting several schools and colleges from around the Southeast that offer programs for students with intellectual disabilities.

The spring semester summit was started in 2018 to fulfill what many felt was an unmet need.

“This was an opportunity for students to be in a space where they are able to talk to several representatives of college programs, ask questions and, in essence, have a college tour,” said Dr. Kagendo Mutua, director of the CrossingPoints program.

The free event, currently held each year on UA’s campus, featured guest speakers and panelists including Dr. Peter Hlebowitsh, dean of UA’s College of Education, and Cathryn Weir, director for Think College’s National Coordinating Center, which assists and evaluates transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities.

Participants could also hear from current students, peer mentors and parents of students with intellectual disabilities about their experiences in postsecondary education.

“My favorite part is talking to my friends,” CrossingPoints alumni and current employee Davis Spain said.

CPP hosts the college prep summit in hopes that students with intellectual needs know that they have options when it comes to continuing their education.

“They have an opportunity to go to college and participate in the life of an institution whether that be social activities, academic classes or career exploration. All of those things are available to those students,” said CPP Outreach Coordinator Jeremy Reid.

“Looking at the students that came to the summit, you could see all kinds of emotions — kind of nervousness on being on a college campus for the first time and excitement at the same time. But also the realization this could be for them.”

In addition to The University of Alabama, participants had the chance to meet with representatives from several colleges including Auburn University, Alabama A&M University, the University of South Alabama, the University of Montevallo, Mississippi State University, Vanderbilt University, Clemson University and more.

Learn more about the CrossingPoints College Prep Summit.