Published August 14, 2024
CAPTION: The first group of students to participate in the ULM ACES program pose with Ace the Warhawk at a reception on August 8, 2024.
Pictured L-R: Hayden Spillers, Garrett Drake, Claire Clay, Otha McDaniel, Travis Wooten, Thomas Landry
MONROE, LA – The University of Louisiana Monroe held a reception to honor the launch of the new
ACES program on August 8, 2024. The Academics, Career, Engagement, and Support (ACES)
Transition and Postsecondary Program is a comprehensive transition and postsecondary
education experience for young adults with intellectual disabilities. ACES provides
its students with an inclusive college experience, including courses designed to prepare
participants for the workforce.
“This might be the most exciting, impactful event we’ve had in my time as president,”
said ULM President Dr. Ron Berry. “When we first became part of the leadership at
ULM, we made it a goal of ours to meet every student where they are. Every student
that chooses ULM can become the best version of themselves and accomplish anything
they want to accomplish,” added Berry.
The first group of ACES program participants includes six students: Claire Clay, Sterlington
High School; Garrett Drake, Sterlington High School; Thomas Landry, Neville High School;
Otha McDaniel, Neville High School; Hayden Spillers, Mangham High School; Travis Wooten,
Neville High School.
“These students are untapped potential in our community. Before today, there was not
a pathway for them from high school to college,” said Dr. Shalanda Stanley, Associate
Director of the ULM School of Education.
According to ACES Program Coordinator Dr. Jeremy Bell, the program will include career
exploration, employability skills, soft skills, communication skills, and job placement.
The ACES program will work closely with ARCO, a Monroe-based non-profit whose mission
is to empower persons with developmental disabilities and their families to have quality
lives. Bell credited ARCO Executive Director Roma Kidd with being instrumental in
the planning process for the ACES program over the last two years.
Jana Spillers, mother of ACES student Hayden Spillers, is appreciative of this opportunity
for her son. “College would not have been available for Hayden. For this program to
come along at this time, the year he graduated, it was amazing,” said Spillers.
ULM ACES is managed by the ULM School of Education and supported by the Louisiana
Alliance of Post-secondary Inclusive Education (LAPIE). The Higher Education Opportunity
Act identified a set of required components necessary for institutions of higher education
to develop Comprehensive Transition and Post-secondary programs for students with
intellectual disabilities. These components include academics, career development,
self-determined life skills, and social engagement.
The application for the ULM ACES program is a multi-step process. The first step is
completing a pre-application interest form. While applications for the 2024-2025 academic
year are closed, the program plans to accept more students for the 2025-2026 academic
year, with applications becoming available in spring 2025. For more information about
the program and the application process, visit www.ulm.edu/aces.
The hope of Dr. Bell and the ULM School of Education is that the program will continue
to grow each year and provide more opportunities for local students. “I hope this
program will make a difference in many students’ lives for the foreseeable future,”
said Bell.
As the program grows, additional grants and funding sources will be sought. Individuals
can also make a tax-deductible contribution to the ULM ACES program through the ULM
Foundation. To give to the ACES program, click here.
