Howdy! My name is Anita Lang and I am the program director of the Aggie ACHIEVE program
at Texas A&M University (College Station, TX). I have the pleasure of partnering with an
awesome group of young adults who thrive on supporting their peers with intellectual
disabilities. Their interactions inspire growth in both the students and our Aggie ACHIEVE team.
Aggie ACHIEVEMates are undergraduate and graduate student volunteers (peer mentors)
from across the Texas A&M University campus who provide one-on-one support, mentorship,
and friendship to Aggie ACHIEVE students. Through these relationships, ACHIEVEMates help
students thrive socially, academically, and in daily life activities.
The goal of Aggie ACHIEVEMates is to promote natural inclusion within the university
community and support a fully inclusive college experience. ACHIEVEMates play a vital role in
turning access into genuine belonging by facilitating meaningful participation in campus life. At
the same time, the program offers valuable leadership and service opportunities for the
ACHIEVEMates themselves.
For students with disabilities, especially those in inclusive college programs like Aggie
ACHIEVE, being on campus does not automatically mean feeling included. ACHIEVEMates
help bridge the gap between simply being enrolled and fully experiencing college life.
They reduce social isolation. College can be overwhelming, and students with intellectual or
developmental disabilities are at a higher risk of feeling excluded. ACHIEVEMates provide
consistent social connection: someone to eat with, talk to, and navigate campus life alongside,
so students are not doing it alone.
They support independence rather than dependence. ACHIEVEMates do not complete tasks
for students. Instead, they help students develop skills such as self-advocacy, organization, time
management, and problem-solving, which builds confidence and autonomy.
They contribute to academic and personal success. Through tutoring, planning support, and
wellness activities, ACHIEVEMates help students work toward goals that are meaningful to
them, whether academic, social, or personal.
They promote real inclusion. Inclusion is more than accommodations; it is participation and
relationships. ACHIEVEMates help students with disabilities engage in everyday campus
experiences, including student organizations, events, and friendships.
They positively influence campus culture. These relationships benefit everyone involved by
challenging stereotypes, increasing disability awareness, and fostering empathy and
understanding across the Texas A&M University community.
ACHIEVEMates play a key role in helping students with disabilities feel supported, capable, and
valued as full members of the campus community. ACHIEVEMates and the Aggie ACHIEVE
students build organic relationships that last a lifetime! Join Aggie ACHIEVEMates and be
part of something transformative!