RISE Program

Road to Independent Living, Spiritual Formation and Employment

Program Overview

Faculty

Program Director: Alyssa Mitchel
Program Manager: Rachael Valentine

Cindy Crume, Gayle Gianopulos, Ryan Jenkins, Kathy Lambert, Walter Lopez, Sam Perez, Jennifer Waxman

Goals

The RISE Program provides students with intellectual disabilities an inclusive college life experience in a Christian community, culminating with the award of a Certificate of Completion in Liberal Arts within a subject area concentration. The program is designed to prepare students for independent living and customized employment. During the course of this two-year program, students will complete courses in four academic pillars:

• Independent Living Skills
• Person-Centered Planning
• Personal Fitness and Wellness
• Professional Skills

During three of their four semesters, RISE students take traditional undergraduate classes in their subject area concentrations. These courses may be audited or taken for credit. Subject area concentrations include:

• Business and Entrepreneurship
• Christian Ministries
• Education
• Health and Wellness
• Math and Technology
• Creative Arts - students choose one of three tracks
  • Vocal
  • Instrumental
  • Visual Arts - Photography, Videography and Editing

While in the program, RISE students will have the opportunity to:

• Take credit-bearing courses with students without disabilities
• Audit or otherwise participate in courses with students without disabilities for which the RISE student will not receive regular academic credit
• Participate in internships or work-based training in setting with individuals without disabilities

RISE UP

Students who successfully complete the 2-year RISE Program, and earn their Certificate of Completion are eligible to apply to the RISE UP Program, an additional 2-year program designed to continue preparing students with intellectual disabilities for independent living and gainful employment. Students will take classes on campus and complete a combination of on- and off-campus internships while living on campus to practice living on their own, being responsible for an apartment and taking care of daily tasks.

Academic Standing

Each student admitted to the RISE Program at Judson University is assumed to have the desire and ability to make satisfactory progress towards a Certificate of Completion in Liberal Arts. However, some students do not make the progress expected of them. Such students are notified, offered special assistance or accommodations, academic advising, and allowed time to improve their performance.

In addition, all students must maintain a minimum cumulative completion rate of 70% of all hours attempted within a maximum time frame (5 semesters) to remain in good standing.

These standings are provided as a standard; however, in individual cases, the university administration reserves the right to change a student’s standing based on the student’s academic performance and any extenuating circumstances. Academic standings will be run for all students at the end of each term.

The following tools are used by the RISE staff to assess each student's academic standing:

• RISE course grades, completed by RISE faculty
• Undergraduate course grade(s) provided by the undergraduate course instructor
• Chapel credits provided by Judson University IT department
• Supervisor Internship Evaluation

Good Standing

Each student, upon enrollment, is in Good Standing. Every semester, a student's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be determined by reviewing the four tools outlined above.

The minimum requirements to remain in "Good Standing" are:

• A "Pass" grade for all RISE classes
• A "Pass" or passing letter grade for undergraduate classes
• 22 Chapel Credits
• An overall rating of "Meets Expectations" or "Exceeds Expectations" on the Supervisor's Internship Evaluation (SIE).

Academic Warning

A student will be placed on Academic Warning if they receive:

• "No Credit" for one RISE or one traditional class
• An overall rating of "Does Not Meet Expectations" on the SIE

The student will continue to be eligible for financial aid the following semester and is required to meet with the RISE Program Director and Assistant Director to discuss specific issues and course selection for the following semester.

Restoration of Good Standing - A student may restore their academic status to "Good Standing" if, in the subsequent semester, they:

• Receive a "Pass" grade for all RISE courses
• Achieve a "Pass" or passing letter grade for all traditional undergraduate courses
• Receive an overall rating of "Meets Expectations" or "Exceeds Expectations" on the SIE
• Earn 22+ Chapel Credits

Academic Probation

A student will be placed on Academic Probation if they:

• Receive "No Credit" for two or more courses in a single semester
• Receive "No Credit" in two courses within the program to date
• Achieve an overall rating of "Does Not Meet Expectations" on the SIE for two consecutive semesters
• Do not complete the requirements for a RISE Certificate of Completion within four semesters

The student loses eligibility for financial aid in subsequent semesters and is required to meet with the RISE Program Director and Assistant Director to discuss specific issues and course selection for the following semesters. If the student receives a grade of "No Credit" and/or is rated "Does Not Meet Expectations" on the SIE in a subsequent semester, the RISE student may be academically dismissed from the program.

Restoration of Good Standing - A student may restore their academic status to "Good Standing" if, in two consecutive, subsequent semesters, they:

• Receive a "Pass" grade for all RISE courses
• Achieve a "Pass" or passing letter grade for all traditional undergraduate courses
• Receive an overall rating of "Meets Expectations" or "Exceeds Expectations" on the SIE
• Earn 22+ Chapel Credits

Student Academic Appeals

As a Christian community, all Judson University personnel live under the authority of Biblical standards and the direction of the Holy Spirit, sharing mutual accountability for ethical and just behavior. And as a human community, we will make mistakes.

Students at Judson University have the right to appeal of academic decisions. If a student believes that a faculty or administrative decision on her/his work has not been entirely fair, that student has, without fear of penalty or reprisal, the right of pursuing one or more of the following appeal steps:

• Direct appeal to the faculty member or administrator involved for review and possible revision of the original decision
• If Step 1 does not resolve the student's concern, then they may appeal to the faculty member's Department Chair and/or Vice President responsible for the RISE Program
• If Step 2 does not resolve the concern, then appeal to the Provost

For reasons of both efficiency and clarity, any appeal should be pursued as close in time to the alleged unfair event as possible. Any Appeal pursued beyond Step 1 must be documented by all involved parties. Any such appeal initiated more than sixty days after the alleged unfair event may possibly (but not necessarily) be itself reviewed for any evidence of capricious or mischievous intent. Standard rules of evidence and strict confidentiality will be observed through and and all appeal steps.