By Julie Rossman
Correspondent
After just three years in existence, Shepherds College, Union Grove, is now one step closer to being fully accredited as a post-secondary school for young adults with intellectual disabilities.
The college hosted a review team from the North Central Association – Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), in late October. A review team also visited the College in the fall of 2010, after which Shepherds College received accreditation candidacy status.
This time, the review team took a much more in-depth look at the college during the three-day visit.
Shepherd’s College Director Tracy Terrill said the team’s exit report was very positive. Next, the review team will present their findings to the NCA CASI Board of Directors for approval, something Terrill feels will be a “formality.”
Moving forward, Terrill says accreditation will mean two major things for the college.
First, it will lend credibility and verify that Shepherds College is a quality, post-secondary school. “As far as we know, we are the first of its kind to be accredited as a post-secondary school,” Terrill said.
Second, it will allow for participation in Federal grant and loan programs, which will be helpful for students and their families.
Shepherds College is part of Shepherds Ministries, which was established 50 years ago as a boarding school for children. As those children grew into adults, the boarding school transitioned into a home for adults.
Shepherds College came about when a group of staff recognized a need for better transition from high school to work and from the home to the community. The group identified a desire to empower and give life skills beyond the high school level.
Shepherds College was created from the ground up. Curricula for each of the two major programs of study – horticulture and culinary arts – was created by the staff specifically for Shepherds students.
“There was no prototype to follow,” Terrill said. “We have an extremely talented team that made this happen,” he added.
The start of the fall semester saw 16 new students, for a total of 34 students currently enrolled. The new first year dormitories are now open as well, something Terrill sees as a great asset to Shepherds.
He explains that for each of the three years of the program, students progress from a dormitory setting the first year to a group home setting the second year and to an apartment for the third year.
Each progression allows students to take on more responsibilities in meal planning and preparation.
Terrill feels the housing progression is very helpful for the students, and is another aspect of Shepherds College that sets them apart from the competition.
“We are the premier post-secondary school for young adults with intellectual disabilities in the nation,” Terrill said.
The first graduating class of five graduated in May. Four of the five students are currently employed.
“An 80 per cent placement rate – that’s wonderful!” Terrill said.
Involvement in students’ lives doesn’t stop when they graduate. Each of the graduates works with a volunteer transition coach, who has regular contact with the young adults.
“If there’s a problem, they’ll let us know and Shepherds will intervene,” Terrill said.
Students come from across the country, with half coming from Wisconsin and Illinois. Terrill says they have connected with local teachers and other professionals. “They’re great referral partners,” he said.
Terrill anticipates the college will continue to grow, with the accreditation being a big factor in that growth. “It’s fulfilling, but at the same time, we’re not done.”
After the review team presented their exit report, Terrill said there were “high fives” all around, but attention quickly turned to what needs to get done next.
Looking forward, one major goal will be the addition of one or two more major areas of study by the 2013-2014 school year.
Terrill said 30 different staff members had a role in preparing for the accreditation process. “It’s a pretty big accomplishment,” he said.
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