Spartan Study is back! Join Tower Guard for study sessions both in-person and via Zoom. In-person sessions will be in the Main Library room E118. Please see the below schedule for more information:
The Fall 2022 semester brought cooler temperatures, lovely colors across campus, football games (Go Green!) and, to the RCPD specifically, four practicum students: Andrew Harsh, Yusi Hu, Milan Monardes and Ken Tribley.
Spartan Ties is a fun, interactive weekly meet-up hosted by MSU’s Tower Guard student volunteers in partnership with the RCPD, providing an opportunity for students registered with the RCPD to meet new friends and try new things. No specialists, no advisors, just students! Events will cover a range of topics and locations, such as meals, casual conversation, and stress reduction.
At MSU there is a focus on maximizing the abilities and opportunities of all students. Tyler Mazone is a deaf graduate student who joined MSU to further his music career. We had an opportunity to ask him some questions about his experience at MSU and why he chose us for his education.
The 5th Annual RCPD BOND Friendsgiving event took place on November 18, 2022, bringing together a tasty Thanksgiving meal, fun, friendship, and connection.
On October 28th MSU opened the STRIDE (Services, Training, and Research for Independence and Desired Employment) center. A wonderful new center aimed at improving employment, independent living, and quality of life for persons with disabilities. Their two current projects are SEARCH, ASSET (Assistive Soft Skills & Employment Training), and EPASS (Employment Preparation and Skills. Any individual with a disability can participate in these programs. You can find more information on their work here by visiting the MSU Education Department.
RCPD recently had the opportunity to co-host a film screening and panel discussion with WKAR Public Media. Following the hour-long screening, panelists Colleen Floyd (Ability Access Specialist, RCPD), Emily Abrams (Academic Advisor, TRIO Student Support Services), and Tyler Smeltekop (Assistant Director, RCPD) led a discussion around various themes and concepts that arose in the documentary. Audience members also participated and shared their own experiences with navigating identity after acquiring a disability.
October is a special month for working towards connecting the value of higher education to success in our community. We are thankful to these outside sources that worked to highlight RCPD’s efforts of maximizing ability and opportunity at MSU.
Announcing Spartan Study sessions for Fall 2022 This is an opportunity for RCPD students to find tutoring and study assistance with their classes from other MSU students in a peer-educator/study group format. Hosted by members of MSU's Tower Guard honor society, these weekly study sessions will cover various commonly requested subjects, outlined below.
The President of the Council of Students with Disabilities, Caroline Downes, worked to get these containers implemented on campus for the past few semesters. We did an interview with her to gather more information on this process.
Tower Guard held its May’s Morning Sing induction ceremony on April 8, 2022, at the MSU Union. Anna Lehr, 2021-2022 Tower Guard Vice President, coordinated the event under the guidance of Liz Fuller, Former RCPD Leadership Development Ability Access Specialist and previous lead Tower Guard advisor.
From a carefully selected group of candidates 3 MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities affiliated seniors were chosen – Madeleine Russel, Marissa Burk, and Ishaan Modi.
The MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities is proud to welcome Kiersten Manos as an Ability Access Specialist for Chronic Health students and staff.
Tanya Adams, a vocational rehabilitation counselor from Michigan Rehabilitation Services, gave students a bunch of bite-sized suggestions for career exploration and preparation at a meet & greet event Ice Cream Sundae Event.
The MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities welcomed Hannah Huey-Jones, in the Fall of 2022, to our team as an ability access specialist serving people with chronic health disabilities
The MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities welcomed Tyler Smeltekop to our team as the Assistant Director of Assistive Technology Innovation in September 2022
The MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities welcomed Ellie Brigger to our team as an Ability Access Specialist in September 2022. She will work with neurodivergent students and employees.