Inclusive Higher Education for Oklahoma and Texas

Red River Higher Education Alliance

MEMBER PROGRAMS

The programs listed below meet the criteria as designated by the Department of Education for a Comprehensive Transition and Post-Secondary Education (CTP) Program.

This designation is given to programs that meet criteria to ensure that students with intellectual disability are fully engaged with university life.

Programs include individualized support in the areas of residential life, social, academic, and employment readiness.

Data shows that students who complete programs such as those listed on our CTP/CTP-Eligible programs page greatly improve their employment outcomes as well as enhance their ability to be engaged in their communities.

Collage of pictures showing students from Red River Higher Education Alliance programs.
Logo for Northeastern State University's RiverHawks Scholar Program.
Students from Northeastern State University's RiverHawks Scholarship Program. One student is waving.

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, OK

RiverHawks Scholar Program

The RiverHawks Scholar Program was the first IPSE program in Oklahoma and founded in 2018. We are a four-year inclusive certificate program for students with mild/moderate intellectual disabilities. Students live in campus housing, join campus clubs & organizations, attend traditional classes with non-disabled peers and have work place internships each semester.

University of Oklahoma

Norman, OK

Sooner Works

The University of Oklahoma’s Sooner Works is a four-year comprehensive integrated program for students with an intellectual or developmental disability who desire a postsecondary experience on a college campus. Students in Sooner Works live on campus and take traditional university courses in conjunction with courses specific to Sooner Works. In addition, students participate in internships and social organizations on the beautiful University of Oklahoma campus. Students graduate from OU with a certificate in Integrated Community Studies Certificate. The purpose of Sooner Works is to prepare young adults with intellectual disabilities for successful adult outcomes, which includes obtaining integrated employment, developing essential skills necessary for independent living, enhancing academic skills, and becoming contributing members of their community.

University of Oklahoma's Sooner Works Logo.
Students from the University of Oklahoma Sooner Works Group. All students are wearing OU paraphernalia.
University of Oklahoma's Sooner Works' logo.
Students from the University of Oklahoma Sooner Works Group. All students are wearing OU paraphernalia.

University of Oklahoma

Norman, OK

Sooner Works

The University of Oklahoma’s Sooner Works is a four-year comprehensive integrated program for students with an intellectual or developmental disability who desire a postsecondary experience on a college campus. Students in Sooner Works live on campus and take traditional university courses in conjunction with courses specific to Sooner Works. In addition, students participate in internships and social organizations on the beautiful University of Oklahoma campus. Students graduate from OU with a certificate in Integrated Community Studies Certificate. The purpose of Sooner Works is to prepare young adults with intellectual disabilities for successful adult outcomes, which includes obtaining integrated employment, developing essential skills necessary for independent living, enhancing academic skills, and becoming contributing members of their community.

Oklahoma State's OPPORTUNITY ORANGE SCHOLARS' logo.
Group of students from OSU's OPPORTUNITY ORANGE SCHOLARS. Standing on stairs.

Oklahoma state university

Stillwater, OK

Opportunity Orange Scholars

Opportunity Orange Scholars is designed for young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 with intellectual disability who do not meet OSU’s degree-seeking admission criteria. Students admitted into the Opportunity Orange Scholars program can pursue a two-year, non-degree academic certificate in Career and Community Studies. Students will be fully immersed in the OSU experience, as they live and learn on campus. Opportunity Orange Scholars is designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a comprehensive transition and postsecondary education program.

Texas state university

San Marcos, TX

Bobcat RISE (Resilience, Independence, Self-Determination, Empowerment)

Bobcat RISE (Resilience, Independence, Self-Determination, Empowerment) is Texas State University’s four-year residential inclusive postsecondary education program serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Bobcat RISE students take traditional college courses with their peers for zero-credit, in-program seminar courses designed to support independent living and relationship-building skills. Forty percent of the program is employment-focused with in-program employment courses each semester and opportunities for job shadowing, paid and unpaid jobs, and internships. Bobcat RISE students participate in all campus activities open to any other Texas State student and all program components are designed to support students to develop self-awareness and a greater understanding of the world around them so they can design the life they want for themselves. Bobcat RISE operates on the philosophy that all people can grow and develop when given the opportunity and provided adequate support.

Texas State's Bobcat RISE program logo.
Three students from Bobcats RISE Program. They are sitting at a table with information on Texas State information.
Texas State's Bobcat RISE program logo.
Texas State Bobcats RISE Program

Texas state university

San Marcos, TX

Bobcat RISE (Resilience, Independence, Self-Determination, Empowerment)

Bobcat RISE (Resilience, Independence, Self-Determination, Empowerment) is Texas State University’s four-year residential inclusive postsecondary education program serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Bobcat RISE students take traditional college courses with their peers for zero-credit, in-program seminar courses designed to support independent living and relationship-building skills. Forty percent of the program is employment-focused with in-program employment courses each semester and opportunities for job shadowing, paid and unpaid jobs, and internships. Bobcat RISE students participate in all campus activities open to any other Texas State student and all program components are designed to support students to develop self-awareness and a greater understanding of the world around them so they can design the life they want for themselves. Bobcat RISE operates on the philosophy that all people can grow and develop when given the opportunity and provided adequate support.

University of North Texas' ELEVAR program's logo.
Students from UNT Elevar Program at a game. Cheering in the bleachers.

University of North Texas

Denton, TX

UNT ELEVAR (Empower, Learn, enVision, Advance, Rise)

UNT ELEVAR (Empower, Learn, Excel, enVision, Advance, Rise) is a four-year inclusive postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities (ID). Following the definition of the program’s name, ELEVAR [lift, soar, rise, in Spanish], the program’s vision is to empower young adults with ID who wish to continue postsecondary education (PSE) to become self-determined, independent, and healthy adults readied for integrated competitive employment. Most importantly, the UNT ELEVAR program welcomes young adults with ID to be part of the Mean Green family experience. UNT ELEVAR has been approved as a Comprehensive Transition Program through the U.S. Department of Education accreditation.

Texas A&M University

College Station, TX

Aggie ACHIEVE

Aggie ACHIEVE at Texas A&M University is a comprehensive transition program (CTP) for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have exited high school. Aggie ACHIEVE provides an immersive college education and equips students for employment in the community. Aggie ACHIEVE aligns coursework, internship opportunities, and extracurricular activities with each student’s academic interests and employment goals. Aggie ACHIEVE is designed to enroll students for up to four years. For the first two years, students reside in Texas A&M residence halls and have access to TAMU coursework and all campus-related activities. During the third and fourth years, students will select off-campus housing with their families. Aggie ACHIEVE staff will continue to provide support for independent living as needed. Students may attend Aggie ACHIEVE for up to four years. Students will be reviewed annually for continuation in the program. Each year, students will receive a micro-credential for successful completion of the respective year. Successful completion of these micro-credentials will include satisfactory performance in academics, independent living, employment, and social skills. Students who complete all four years of the Aggie ACHIEVE program will graduate with a Certificate in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University. Students in ACHIEVE will have access to campus and community life similar to that of their peers on campus.

Texas A&M's Aggie ACHIEVE program logo.
Two students from the Aggie ACHIEVE Program holding IPSED Day support papers.
Texas A&M's Aggie ACHIEVE program logo
Two students from the Aggie ACHIEVE Program holding IPSED Day support papers.

Texas A&M University

College Station, TX

Aggie ACHIEVE

Aggie ACHIEVE at Texas A&M University is a comprehensive transition program (CTP) for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have exited high school. Aggie ACHIEVE provides an immersive college education and equips students for employment in the community. Aggie ACHIEVE aligns coursework, internship opportunities, and extracurricular activities with each student’s academic interests and employment goals. Aggie ACHIEVE is designed to enroll students for up to four years. For the first two years, students reside in Texas A&M residence halls and have access to TAMU coursework and all campus-related activities. During the third and fourth years, students will select off-campus housing with their families. Aggie ACHIEVE staff will continue to provide support for independent living as needed. Students may attend Aggie ACHIEVE for up to four years. Students will be reviewed annually for continuation in the program. Each year, students will receive a micro-credential for successful completion of the respective year. Successful completion of these micro-credentials will include satisfactory performance in academics, independent living, employment, and social skills. Students who complete all four years of the Aggie ACHIEVE program will graduate with a Certificate in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University. Students in ACHIEVE will have access to campus and community life similar to that of their peers on campus.

Texas A&M San Antonio's Tu Casa program logo.
Graduating student from the TU CASA Program. Student is wearing a graduation gown and holding his cap.

Texas A&M University –  San Antonio

San Antonio, TX

TU CASA: Transition University for Career Advancement and Successful Adulthood

The TU CASA model is designed to allow students with intellectual disabilities to receive a true university experience while gaining the skills and knowledge needed to transition to independent adult lives. TU CASA addresses the critical needs in the community by establishing a sustainable program that: (a) provides 18 months of fully inclusive PSE opportunities with access to typical and specialized A&M-SA services and supports; (b) offers a meaningful credential upon completion that addresses academic, employment, and independent living domains; (c) utilizes a person-centered approach to meet unique student needs and enhance their quality of life; (d) employs comprehensive program evaluation; and (e) includes a plan for replication on regional and state levels.