ST. DAVIDS, PA: Eastern University has been ranked among the 25 Best Colleges for Students with Autism. The ranking from College Choice, a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources, put Eastern University at #21 for the Best Colleges for Students with Autism.
In its description of Eastern University, College Choice noted, “The cornerstone of Eastern’s disability services, the College Success Program (CSP), was solely designed with the needs of students with ASD in mind. Partnered closely with the Cushing Center for Counseling and Academic Support, the CSP ensures its programs address the academic well being of its students, but also their social, mental and physical health as well.”
Eastern University’s College Success Program (CSP) seeks to come alongside students living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as they face the significant life change of attending college. The program is designed to maximize the potential of the student in academic, residential and social realms. Support services are tailor-made to fit each individual while keeping in mind common challenges and strengths of students on the spectrum. CSP coordinates undergraduate mentors to assist students in navigating campus and social life, offers a Weekly Skills Group that provides academic and social strategies, and arranges evening study sessions 5 nights per week with program mentors. Additional community wide support is achieved through ASD-specific training and consultations administered to Eastern faculty and staff.
CSP partners with the Cushing Center for Counseling and Academic Support (CCAS) to provide disability services, academic tutoring, and assistance in the Writing Center. CSP Director Dr. Thompson and CCAS Director Dr. Hemlick shared their enthusiasm over the award, "We are pleased to be named one of the top 25 colleges for students with autism. We are very proud of the work of the CSP and of the progress and successes of the students who participate in the program. Since the inception of the program six years ago, Eastern has been recognized for best practices in the field, and we look forward to continuing to build the program which resonates so well with the mission of the university."
According to College Choice, the ranking is based on support given by the Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities, retention rates, a reflection of student satisfaction, reputation, and tuition cost. The data for their ranking comes from university websites, PayScale, U.S. News & World Report, The National Center for Education Statistics, the U.S. Department of Education and Autism Speaks. The full ranking is available here.
For more information on the College Success Program please contact Dr. Sharon Thompson at sthomp13@eastern.edu. For more information on the Cushing Center for Counseling and Academic Support contact Dr. Lisa Hemlick at lhemlick@eastern.edu.