In January 2025, NC State enrolled its first cohort of seven students into Elevate, an inclusive postsecondary education program for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). On March 20, 2025, the university held a special event in the Park Alumni Center to formally celebrate the launch of the program and welcome the students.
Many of the people who played a role in making Elevate possible were acknowledged and celebrated during the event, and others shared their stories of how they have since become involved with the program.
Here is a look at the Elevate Launch Celebration—and how the program came to be and is already making an impact—through quotes, photos and videos.
“A program where every student … can find their talents and their gifts.”
When Paola Sztajn became dean of the NC State College of Education, one of the first meetings she had in her new role was with then-Vice Chancellor for External Relations, Partnerships, and Economic Development and now-Chancellor-Elect Kevin Howell; NC State trustee and College of Education alumnus Wendell Murphy ’60; and former NC State women’s basketball player Debbie Antonelli. They shared with Sztajn the idea to bring an inclusive postsecondary education program to NC State.
Sztajn did some research and learned that special education faculty in the college had also been thinking of similar initiatives long before she became dean. She shared with NC State Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Warwick Arden what she learned about such programs and delivered a presentation before other deans across the university. All supported bringing such a program to NC State.
“They said these are North Carolina learners, and as a land-grant institution, we serve all North Carolinians; so if we have an opportunity to serve individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, we should,” said Sztajn in her opening remarks at the Elevate Launch Celebration.
As Provost Arden initiated a feasibility study of operating such a program at NC State, the university’s Office of External Affairs began engaging with members of the North Carolina General Assembly, who generously provided funding for NC State to start an inclusive postsecondary program for IDD students that became Elevate.
“I’d like to express our deep appreciation and gratitude for the North Carolina General Assembly for the funding to start this program, especially N.C. Representative Dean Arp,” Sztajn said. “We are creating a program where every student in Elevate, like any NC State student, can find their talents and their gifts.”
“Filling this gap is a priority”
While thanking those who helped launch Elevate—including Arp, the planning team and College of Education faculty and staff—Chancellor Randy Woodson shared how Elevate is expanding the university’s land-grant mission by meeting North Carolina’s demonstrated need for opportunities for students with IDD after high school.
“Filling this gap is a priority, and we could not be more proud of the faculty, staff and students who have made it their passion,” Woodson said. “Through programs like Elevate, we have the ability to provide a new group of students opportunities to earn academic credentials and develop workforce skills. We are excited to see all that [they] will accomplish as members of the Pack.”
“I was 1,000% committed to seeing a program happen here at NC State.”
One of the biggest supporters for a program like Elevate has been Arp. He said he hopes that Elevate is the first in a series of scalable opportunities for students with IDD at universities across North Carolina. He added that his support for the program began through a series of encounters with parents of special needs children, including Antonelli. She had shared with him that her son found success in an inclusive postsecondary education program at Clemson University, inspiring her to pitch an idea of a similar program in North Carolina.
“I was 1,000% committed to seeing a program happen here at NC State,” Arp said. “We as a state recognized the intrinsic value of every single person, the infinite worth of every single person we are putting into action. I believe that every single person has a vital place in our society, and we are a much better society when we all help them achieve their maximum potential.”
“Our inaugural cohort represents a group of courageous pioneers.”
Since welcoming its first cohort of students in January, Elevate Program Manager and Interim Program Director Tamira White said faculty, staff, graduate assistants and student peer mentors have focused on the program’s five pillars of success: academics, employment, independent living, personal development and social development.
She shared how Elevate students have experiences that include taking courses designed to meet their specific needs alongside other NC State courses. Elevate students are also exploring career opportunities and gaining employment skills, developing independent living skills through a living and learning lab, identifying personal goals and strengthening social skills.
“Each student, along with their families, impressed us with their enthusiasm, ambition and commitment to their academic and career goals,” White said. “Our inaugural cohort represents a group of courageous pioneers, embarking on this journey alongside us. They have demonstrated a strong dedication to learning, growth and upholding NC State’s mindset to ‘Think and Do.’”
“It makes us better teachers and better people.”
Among those supporting Elevate are student peer mentors who have been recruited and trained to work directly with Elevate students. Luke Shelton, a Teaching Fellow and a sophomore in middle grades mathematics education, knew he wanted to apply to become an Elevate peer mentor when he received an email that he described as the “the best job description I ever read.” That email said it was looking for students who would support other students part of Elevate and support them in getting the total NC State experience while helping them develop greater independence.
As a peer mentor, Shelton supports students in Elevate academically and socially. He eats lunch with them, walks around campus with them, exercises at the gym with them, provides support in classes and occasionally holds study sessions, for example.
“One thing I can say for sure is that the students in Elevate are my friends,” Shelton said. “The discussions we have, the jokes we have, are discussions and jokes that friends have.” Through these interactions, Shelton said, he is learning every day how to be more patient and understanding. “It makes us better teachers and better people.”
“I love NC State”
Near the end of his closing remarks, Shelton was joined by two of his mentees who are part of Elevate: Sarah Gatewood and Dimas Lopez de Jesus. Lopez de Jesus said he liked being part of Elevate because “I wanted to go to college, and I like NC State.” Gatewood said her favorite part of being at NC State is the people. “I like the people from the Elevate staff; my friends and my mentors support me,” she said.
It is this type of interaction that Sztjan said she envisioned when they first began planning Elevate—the opportunity to support students in the program to develop their talents while providing future teachers like Shelton with even deeper learning experiences that will prepare them to be extraordinary educators.
“We will do everything we can to help you achieve”
Looking ahead, the goal is to see these types of interactions play out all across campus — and to see the integration of our Elevate students into every NC State experience and to see students from all majors engaged with Elevate, she added.
In a few years, Sztajn envisions celebrating the first Elevate students completing their academic credentials and working in their field of their choice; and within five years, Elevate being fully realized with about 50 students.
To those who make up the inaugural cohort, Sztajn said: “Thank you for choosing us, and thank you partnering with us and helping us make sure that Elevate will be successful. Having you here as part of our pack makes us a better College of Education and a better university. I want you to know that we will do everything we can to help you achieve your goals.”
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