CREST Program Prepares Students with Disabilities for College and Life Success
CREST Program Prepares Students with Disabilities for College and Life Success
Aug 30, 2021
![CREST Program Prepares Students with Disabilities for College and Life Success](/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CREST-Brochure-4-copy_Page_1.jpg)
CREST Program Prepares Students with Disabilities for College and Life Success
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Students in һФһÂëÖгÖs Summer Crest program toured a CGI facilities in August.
In the weeks leading up to the start of fall semester at һФһÂëÖгÖ, students
were already learning about future employment possibilities from some of Northern
Nevadas most recognized and important employers.
Tesla, CGI and Starbucks were providing either virtual or in-person tours for students
in һФһÂëÖгÖs Disability and Support Services three-week Summer CREST program. CREST is
a grant-funded educational program paid for with funds from the Nevada Department
of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.
The focus of the program is to prepare students with disabilities for success in college
and beyond. Thirteen students are enrolled to continue with the CREST program throughout
the school year as they work toward an associate degree or industry certification.
Our philosophy is to empower students to be successful in obtaining their educational
goals, said һФһÂëÖÐ³Ö DSS Director Susan Trist. By providing necessary support, we help
students to attain their academic, vocational and personal goals at һФһÂëÖгÖ. Disability
Support Services (DSS) provides qualified students with disabilities equal access
to higher education through academic support services, technology and advocacy in
order to promote their independence, retention and graduation.
DSSs College Readiness Education for Students in Transition program is for transition-age
students 16 to 22 with disabilities. It is a free program that introduces students
to the college experience, giving them practical skills to succeed. The program provides
students with personalized academic coaching, peer support systems, topic-based workshops,
field trips, inspirational events and alumni gatherings.
CRESTS program goals for each of its students are life-changing, educational and career-oriented.
In addition to providing the skills that encourage success in college and beyond,
the program creates peer support, provides access to services and accommodations that
help students with disabilities access their education.
Some of the accommodations that Trist considers for her students are extended time
for testing, note-taking assistance, a distraction-reduced testing room, assistive
technology, academic coaching, auxiliary aides and American Sign Language interpreters
and captioning.
Besides learning more about important businesses such as Tesla, CGI and Starbucks,
students in the summer program were able to become more comfortable attending һФһÂëÖгÖ
through Introduction to the College Experience, an accelerated class that was presented
on Zoom this year and was led by Dr. Jennifer Verive.
This course provides students with essential academic basics as they transition to
college for the first time, Trist said.
Ultimately, Trist said students in the CREST program will learn the skills that encourage
college success and serve them in their future endeavors.
For more information about the CREST program, email susan.trist@wnc.edu or phone 775-445-4459.