Inspiring Futures College Mentorship Program

Applications for Spring 2025 are now closed. Please email elise@inclusivehighered.org to add yourself to the Fall 2025 notification list. Fall 2025 dates will be announced in September.

OVERVIEW

Students with intellectual disability (ID) are going to college in Colorado thanks to Inclusive Higher Education (IHE)! If you are a student with ID, you can go to college, too. By participating in our college mentorship program, you can learn about these college options directly from college students with ID to see if IHE is a good fit for you. 

In this program, students will participate in 6 virtual mentorship sessions facilitated by IN! staff and led by college mentors. Mentors are students and graduates from current IHEs at Arapahoe Community College, Colorado State University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Regis University, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, or University of Northern Colorado. Each week we will talk about a college topic in large and small groups. You will learn about what life is like in college and discuss what you want your next steps to look like. You will also get to interact with other students who are interested in college.

DETAILS 

The Inspiring Futures College Mentorship Program is Intended For:

  • Students with intellectual disability (ID) that are interested in exploring college.
  • Students in 11th grade or higher.
  • Colorado residents.
  • Note: Students do not need to be set on going to college in order to participate. They simply need to have an interest to learn more about it. 

Key Dates

  • Jan 26: Applications Due
  • Jan 27-31: Student "interviews" (a time for us to get to know each other and to assess if this program is right for students' needs and goals)
  • Feb 4: Weekly Mentorship Sessions Begin 

Mentorship Session Schedule: Held virtually via Zoom on Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30pm

  • Feb 4: Week 1 - Get to know you & general mentor/mentee connection
  • Feb 11: Week 2 - Campus & social life in college  
  • Feb 18: Week 3 - Academics in college 
  • Feb 25: Week 4 - Career exploration 
  • Mar 4: Week 5 - Independence & self-determination
  • Mar 11: Week 6 - Celebration & concluding Q&A (parents & educators welcome)  

Questions? Reach out to Elise Kramer, IN!'s Program Coordinator: elise@inclusivehighered.org, 720-675-9139