Meet Elevate Program Director Tamira White: ‘Elevate Is Going To Be a Transformational Experience’

Tamira White joined the NC State College of Education this past spring as the program director for Elevate, NC State’s new Inclusive Postsecondary Education Program. Administratively housed in the College of Education, Elevate is a university-wide initiative designed for North Carolina residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and will offer educational credentials, such as certificates. The program opened its admissions application this August and will enroll its first students in spring 2025.

In this Q&A, White shares more about the program and her background:

Tell us about Elevate and what makes it different.

Elevate is a brand new opportunity for students with IDD in North Carolina. With Elevate being at NC State, students will have the opportunity to explore careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics). They will have access to the rich resources on campus and in the surrounding communities. We will use cutting-edge technology to provide each Elevate student an opportunity to grow academically and socially, and prepare them to launch their successful careers.

Tell us about the type of students who would be good candidates to apply for Elevate.

A great candidate for Elevate is a young person who is motivated to come to college to learn and grow and who is highly motivated to work.

What should prospective students and their families know about Elevate?

I want others to know that enrolling in Elevate is going to be a transformational experience related to academics, employment and connections to the community.

What most excites you about Elevate? 

This program excites me because these are new opportunities for young adults to come to college, continue to grow intellectually and explore and find careers that align with their passions.

Why did you want to be the program manager for Elevate? 

I wanted to be the program manager because this has been a dream for me for almost 10 years. I am from Durham and am excited for new opportunities to improve adulthood for North Carolina students in the Triangle and surrounding communities.

Why did you choose a career in this field?

I chose a career in transition. I want to help support young adults with developmental disabilities transition from high school to adulthood. I love helping improve the adulthood outcomes for young people.

Why should others choose Elevate?

Others should choose Elevate to experience top tier education and vocational training. There will be many opportunities to explore different careers and learn the skills necessary to be successful on campus, at work, at home and beyond.