Leadership & Career Studies (L&CS) is a four-year college certificate program for students with intellectual disability and autism. Based out of the Institute on Disabilities in the College of Education and Human Development at Temple University, L&CS began in 2008 as a two-year program, the Academy for Adult Learning (AAL). In 2017, AAL became L&CS, which offers a four-year/eight-semester program leading to a certificate of completion. The philosophy guiding L&CS and other similar inclusive postsecondary education initiatives is "Nothing about us without us." Each student drives their own education and works toward their future goals. Temple faculty, staff, and students support L&CS by promoting belonging for students from the program in classes, clubs and organizations, and daily campus life.
L&CS students engage with peer mentors for support with their classwork and involvement in student life. Each student audits or takes for credit two classes from Temple's course catalog per semester, and completes several semester-long internships over the course of their studies. Like other Temple students, L&CS students participate in clubs, campus events, and other activities outside the classroom. Current students engage in a range of activities from AdEL (Asociación de Estudiantes Latinos) to the Diamond Marching Band.
Shawn Moton, a rising sophomore in L&CS, says, " L&CS makes me excited to attend college." He adds enthusiastically, "I really enjoy meeting with my mentors. They help me out a lot while I'm at school. I like going to the gaming room at the SAC (Student Activities Center). I also like Gaming Club and Best Buddies Club."
Dr. Katey Burke serves as the faculty advisor for L&CS, and Dr. Cheryl Torsney is the program manager. The team includes Emily Trott (coordinator of student supports), Erin Metzinger (academic relations coordinator), and Jenna Doran (career development specialist), along with other contributing staff members at the Institute on Disabilities and in the College of Education and Human Development.
Doran, L&CS's newest team member, recently graduated from Temple with a bachelor's degree in both psychology and English. During her undergraduate years, she served as the logistics coordinator for Temple's Diamond Marching Band and as a lead peer mentor with L&CS. "To me, Leadership and Career Studies is an amazing program that allows students, mentors, and staff to build connections and create bonds that extend beyond Temple and Philadelphia" Doran says. "From serving as a mentor to now a full-time professional staff member in the program, I am so excited to see how L&CS will continue to evolve. I can't wait to continue working with L&CS staff to create a safe space for mentors and students to flourish!"
Well into its second decade, L&CS is poised to continue its growth as an enriching program for both students and mentors, and as a valuable asset for the CEHD and Temple University. Read more about L&CS, including how to apply to be a student or mentor, and other ways to support the program, on the Institute on Disabilities website.