Another school year means welcoming new students onto KU’s campus. Joining the freshmen class is a group of students with KU’s Transition to Postsecondary Education for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities Program, and they’re getting their shot at the college experience.

TPE student Jacki Simpson said the program has changed her life for the better.

“It has helped me a lot because it helped me think ‘oh, I can achieve something and just because I have a certain disability doesn’t mean I can’t be like everybody else and graduate from a four-year program later on,” Simpson said.

Program coordinator Dr. Mary Morningstar said those in the program are just like any other college student.

“Students are highly enthusiastic, they’re loving the courses they’re taking, they’re also struggling with some of the levels of independence,” Morningstar said.

Currently, there are four students enrolled in the program, and Morningstar said they predict 10 will be enrolled in the program by Fall of 2017.