Nicole Martin couldn’t wait to begin her college experience at the University of Mary Washington. Yet, as an incoming first-year student, she felt overwhelmed by the thought of a packed schedule of activities, unfamiliar faces, and new situations.
“Thankfully, I learned about ‘Soft Landings,’ which provided support that I didn’t even know I needed,” Nicole said of UMW’s new pre-arrival program that helps students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) acclimate to Mary Washington. “It’s made a huge difference in how I’m adjusting to college life.”
As UMW observes Disability Awareness Month in October, Nicole is one of 11 students enrolled this fall in the first cohort of ‘Soft Landings,’ which provides activities and campus tours, as well as personal introductions to key staff members, to help ease the transition to UMW before other students arrive on campus. The program also helps neurodivergent students hone critical skills for college success, such as learning how to solve problems and adapt to new situations, practicing self-care, preparing for academic courses, socializing, and learning to self-advocate.
“UMW has a sizeable population of students with ASD, in part because of our emphasis on small class sizes and individualized attention,” said Assistant Dean of Students Chris “CJ” Porter, who oversees the program. More than 100 current students have disclosed an ASD diagnosis, with 85 seeking accommodations, said Director of Disability Resources Alex Ecklund.
A staff member since 1999, CJ was already familiar with the kinds of challenges that neurodivergent students can face in college, like knowing when to speak up in class, staying on top of assignments, and engaging in social interactions with peers and professors.
“This is the first time many of these students are navigating life on their own,” said CJ, who spent a year researching how to get the program off the ground. “But it’s very expensive to raise a child with special needs, so we needed to find a way to make it affordable for parents.”
Last spring, CJ secured a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant through a new program piloted by UMW’s Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement that awarded $25,000 in donor-funded grants to eight projects and initiatives sponsored by students, faculty, and staff.
The $3,500 grant she received covered the cost of purchasing a textbook, Going to College with Autism, for each student, as well as stipends for five UMW student mentors, all of whom identify as having ASD. Families whose students participate in the program are charged a small fee for meals.
“CJ had seen my work as an orientation leader and thought I’d be a great fit,” said sophomore theatre major Oleander Neleski, who is currently serving as a mentor. “Being neurodivergent, I was able not only to answer questions, but also be an example of someone who’s making it work as a college student.”
Nicole said that participating in the program influenced her decision to become a future mentor – and to major in psychology so she can help others with ASD. “I’m also working on creating a campus organization to help neurodivergent students at UMW connect with each other.”
First-year student Lauren Tant appreciated all aspects of the program, from getting a chance to move into her residence hall early to exploring Simpson Library, the Cedric Rucker University Center, and other campus hubs through a UMW-themed scavenger hunt.
“With so many activities and so much information, it could be easy to get overwhelmed or overstimulated, but we had sensory breaks, mentor check-ins, and ample time for relaxation,” Lauren said. “The entire program was incredibly accommodating to our individual needs.”
UMW’s Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants program is made possible through donors’ gifts to the Fund for Mary Washington. These gifts are vital to the University’s ability to improve the student experience and support faculty, providing crucial flexibility to respond to emerging challenges and seize opportunities as they arise.
When alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and staff give to the Fund for Mary Washington, they are choosing to be part of a community that is committed to giving back and making the world a better place – enabling students to make positive change through programs like the Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants.
-Article written by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04
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