Bemidji State Receives Grant To Expand Inclusive Higher Education Access | Lakeland News

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Bemidji State University has recently secured a significant grant from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to expand its inclusive higher education initiatives, specifically designed to assist students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in attending college. This funding marks a pivotal moment for the institution, as Bemidji State becomes the first four-year university in Minnesota to implement such a comprehensive program. The primary goal of this initiative is to address the current low participation rate, which stands at approximately 4% in the state, by providing these students with the opportunity to utilize their skills, pursue careers, and achieve success that was historically unavailable to them. The $1 million grant, allocated over a ten-year period, focuses on three main pillars: academic success for all students, self-determination and life skills development, and meaningful employment exploration and career development. The program will begin with two trial students in the spring before expanding its inclusivity by the following fall. Key components of the support system include allowing students to register for all campus classes, providing peer mentorship, and facilitating student-centered planning sessions where faculty and advisors collaborate with students to create personalized plans for their success across various courses. Beyond academics, the university aims to foster independence and social integration by helping students navigate essential aspects of college life, such as registering for classes, understanding financial aid, managing textbooks, and living in dormitory settings with peers. The program also intends to develop pathways for unified and adaptive sports and club programs on campus, ensuring that students can learn from others regardless of their abilities. By creating these structured environments, Bemidji State is committed to serving all students who wish to further their education, thereby opening doors for a population that previously lacked clear pathways at the university.

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Well, Bemidji State University has been working to expand inclusive higher education opportunities at the school. And the school recently announced that they have received a grant from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to help students with intellectual and developmental disabilities attend college. Our reporter Sydney Dick spoke to those involved in getting the grant about how this will add to inclusive education in the area. >> The number of students who leave high school and go on to inclusive higher ed is about 4% in the state of Minnesota. And that means that they are not using the skills that they have. Um they don't have the opportunity to to develop those skills like other students and they don't have the opportunity to get jobs and have careers, which they may be very successful at. >> I think that especially as a regional public university, we are committed to serving all students who would like to further their education. And so I see BSU being able to open our doors and continue that access to a population that maybe did not have pathways historically here at BSU. >> Bemidji State is now the first four-year institution in the state of Minnesota to be implementing this program. The plan is to start off with two trial students in the spring and then by next fall they will be expanding the inclusivity. >> One of the guidelines is that students are able to register for all classes on campus. They will have support through peer mentorship and also through student-centered planning, which means that they would meet with at least one, we're looking at probably three advisors, and the student and the faculty to create a plan for that student to be successful in all the classes. >> The grant will allocate $1 million over the course of 10 years to BSU to go towards the new inclusive higher ed. And the grant has three main pillars, academic success for all students, self-determination and life skills, and meaningful employment exploration and career development. >> Stepping into the college world, we are fostering independence through learning how to register for classes, understanding financial aid, understanding how to get your books, how to live in a dorm setting on campus with peers. It's just a great setting when you get to learn from others, no matter what your ability. So, we're really looking forward to that social piece. So, we really kind of get to develop a pathway to be able to do that in a meaningful way. >> Reporting from Bemidji, I'm Sydney Dick. >> Lakeland News. >> Along with the campus life and education, the grant will also create pathways to expand unified and adaptive sport and club programs on campus. >> Lakeland News is a nonprofit news organization. Donate to Lakeland PBS today to support your local news team.