Hello all, my name is Justin Chase and I have the privilege of being the Director of the RiverHawks Scholar Program at Northeastern State University in beautiful Tahlequah, OK. I was told I could write about anything I wanted; so it occurred to me that with the holiday season upon us it would be an appropriate time to talk about gratitude. Google defines gratitude as “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.”
I am a career educator and was fortunate to help start the RiverHawks Scholar Program in 2018 and to be a part of pioneering inclusive post secondary education in Oklahoma. In 2018 I would have told you I was grateful for my educational career up to that point and the time I spent with students & faculty. Lots of memories, experiences and opportunities to invest in young people’s lives. However, without a doubt, the past 8 years at NSU have been the most rewarding of my professional career. I am so grateful for all of the wonderful relationships built with the many RSP students that have been in our program. As well as all of the peer mentors & tutors we work with on campus, and the many on campus & off campus partners we work with on a daily basis.
Within our program we like to use the word “family” to describe our program and the close community we’ve developed on campus. When a student enrolls in the RiverHawks program they are joining our on campus family. What I couldn’t have predicted in 2018 was that I would be joining their families as well. It has been such a pleasure to work closely with the family members of our students. Truly a joy to be so warmly embraced by all of my “extended family” members. This morning I received an email from the mom of one of my students and one of her lines really sums this up “big thanks for you all being such an amazing presence in our lives”.
Another thing I could not have predicted in 2018 as we were starting this program, was the frequent communication I would maintain with students after they leave our program. Most weeks I hear from one or two of our former students that are staying in touch and want to update me on their lives. I’m very grateful for all of the texts, phone calls and emails from my RSP family.
I’ve said many times during the past 8 years that I benefit from this program more than my students. I’ve learned that as you invest your life into the lives of others, that you ultimately benefit the most. Seeing this idea multiply on campus with our tutors, peer mentors & residential student assistants has been extremely gratifying. Watching college students give of their time & energies to spend time with my students is one of my favorite things. I’m so thankful for the hundreds of college students at NSU that have selflessly invested their lives into the lives of RSP students. In our program we have a 3 to 1 ratio; example… for every 1 RSP student there are 3 non-disabled college students supporting them. Watching neurotypical peers return kindness is awesome & encourages me for the future. I’m grateful for the impact that the RiverHawks Scholar Program has made in the lives of so many others on campus.
I’m also grateful and encouraged by the next generation of IPSE leaders that have taken their place in this profession and have begun to “carry the torch” forward. I have no doubt that with their leadership, IPSE will grow to places in our country that would have been hard to imagine
10 short years ago. Their professionalism, passion and energy they bring to the table encourages me daily. There are many young IPSE professionals in Oklahoma & Texas, so apologies in advance if I don’t mention your name. I’m grateful for young leaders like Jaycee Ardrey, Emily Tucker, Anna Barritt, Dom Vera, Kayla Canis, and so many others.
As I wrap up this post, I want to encourage you to take a little time this holiday season to think about what you are grateful for. My hope for each of you is that this holiday season reminds you of God’s goodness in your life and may your heart overflow with gratitude for the gift of Jesus.