SCENES FROM THE UNIVERSITY
P.A.C.E. 30 YEARS LATER
P.A.C.E students from 1998-1999 lounging around at a beach in Evanston, Ill.
77% of P.A.C.E. grads report spending time with friends at least once every other week. 74% of P.A.C.E. grads are working in paid positions and living independently. 500 students served by P.A.C.E at NLU since its start in 1986.
“[Our students] learn the beauty of overcoming situations, overcoming stigma, overcoming barriers and challenges in life in a way that makes them feel confident, self-sufficient, builds their self-esteem — I mean, the list goes on and on!” P.A.C.E. has changed locations (originally located in Evanston, Ill.) and instructional methods over 30 years, but the core belief that students have the ability to succeed remains the same. “We really define [student] success as the ‘ability to be independent and take care of yourself, emotionally, physically and financially,’” said Pratt. P.A.C.E. at National Louis University was one of the first key players in providing access to a college-like experience for young adults with multiple intellectual, learning and developmental disabilities. Now marking its 30th year, the P.A.C.E. program is considered one of the leading models of its kind. Originally founded as a solution for special education teachers who needed postsecondary options for their students, P.A.C.E. teaches employment preparation, skills for independent living and social development for individuals with multiple disabilities. The program’s academic courses and community-based instruction currently take place in the city of Chicago. The social opportunities and freedoms provided by the robust public transportation system are an added bonus. “The world is our lab,” explained the program’s outreach development specialist, Mallory Pratt.
IVA KOLAROV, Ph.D., EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF P.A.C.E. AT NLU
P.A.C.E students celebrate at their Annual Spring Formal in 2015.
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National Louis University VIEW | Spring 2017
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