Indian Hills Insight: Rise Program
Indian Hills Community College is proud of the impact of the RISE program on campus since its introduction at IHCC in 2012, and the college is excited about seeing continued growth and numerous success stories in the years to come.
RISE stands for Raise Individual Student Expectations. Its goal is to help students in special education transition from high school to post-secondary life.
Madison Rushing is the program coordinator and has been with RISE since it started at Indian Hills seven years ago. “Students in RISE are high school students that have met their high school graduation requirements, but have unmet needs, resulting from a disability,” Rushing explains. “The high school holds their high school diploma and continues to count them as a student while they receive services at Indian Hills. We are currently serving students on both our Ottumwa and Centerville campuses.”
Rushing says the program at IHCC has two licensed special education teachers and various professional tutors working with the students, who enroll in an academic program at the college and receive specially designed instruction. She adds they spend a minimum of four hours per week in the RISE classroom. The instruction they receive is tailored to meet their needs. For example, these students might get additional instruction in math or reading. The students qualify for these services until they reach the age of 21, or fulfill their unmet needs.
“We hope students go into the workforce or continue their education,” Rushing says. “We connect them with resources to help them be successful after they leave us. This may include disability services, if they are continuing at Indian Hills, the Ottumwa Job Corps Center, the military or Vocational Rehabilitation Services.”
“Last year we had a student graduate from the Early Childhood Program and is now a three-year-old preschool teacher for SIEDA at a local school district,” Rushing proudly points out. “This year, a student is completing her internship for the Business Specialist Office Management program in a county courthouse. The internship has been a success so far and looks like it may lead to fulltime employment.” Rushing adds it has been amazing seeing the students grow into productive young adults.
To apply for the RISE program, a student’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan) team must identify them as a candidate. They assess if the student has an unmet need and if RISE may be the best location for them to meet that need.
Rushing says she has helped develop College Transition Days, where students, parents and educators get the opportunity to explore Indian Hills and learn more about the beneficial services offered at IHCC. The dates for this academic year have passed although Rushing says she is always happy to make a connection with a local agency or program and discuss any of the services they offer.
All steps needed to apply for the RISE program are included in a simple packet that can be found at www.indianhills.edu/rise. Rushing may be contacted at [email protected].
