UK College and Career Studies Program

In this episode, Brooklynn interviews Pam Dorrel, the Community Manager of the Lexington Writer’s Room, a coworking space for active writers in the Lexington area. Transcript [Narrator] Hello and welcome to the Community Spotlight Podcast. Each episode highlights something interesting in the community of Lexington or surrounding areas of Kentucky. The podcast was started by students in the College and Career Studies program at the University of Kentucky. Thanks for listening. [Brooklynn] My name is Brooklynn and I am going to interview Pam Dorrel, the community manager for the Lexington Writer’s Room. Hi, Pam, how are you doing today? [Pam] Hi. I’m doing great. [Brooklynn] All right. So my first question is going to be: So, I got to visit the Lexington Writer’s Room recently. And it is a really cool space. Can you talk a little bit about what the organization is and how it got started? [Pam] Well,

The College and Career Studies (CCS) program would like to spotlight Xin Ni this month. Xin is in her second year in the CCS program. Xin’s main passion is drawing comics. She creates her own comic called DinoFriends, which she posts regularly on Instagram. With this comic, she has made a whole world of colorful characters who explore various aspects of life together. Xin is taking three classes this semester: Writing Comics, First Aid and Emergency Care, and Practicum in Universal Design. In all of these classes, she is using her art skills to learn and share more about those topics. For Xin’s practicum project this semester, she is working with the Graphic Medicine Resource Lab to explore how comics can make healthcare topics more accessible to a wider audience. Graphic medicine is also a field that examines people’s lived experiences to understand health issues better and help improve outcomes

On May 7th, an intimate ceremony was held on UK’s campus to recognize the achievements of the five students completing the College and Career Studies (CCS) program this year. The event began with opening remarks from HDI’s Deputy Director, Johnny Collett, and CTP Coordinator Erin Fitzgerald. Ann, a peer mentor and media specialist who is also an alum of the program, then shared some of the accomplishments and highlights of each student and presented them with their certificates of achievement. All five students who completed the CCS program this year have also earned their Undergraduate Certificate in Universal Design. The students had a chance to share their thoughts about their experiences with family, friends, and other attendees from UK and the greater community. Thanks to everyone who showed support, and congratulations to all the program graduates: Callie, Kate, Gabby, Jacob, and Boris!

As students with disabilities approach the end of high school, families often face a critical question: What comes next? For many, the path to independence, employment, and further education can seem uncertain. That’s where Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs (CTPs) come in—offering a bridge to brighter futures. What Are CTPs? CTPs are higher education programs specifically designed for students with intellectual disabilities. These programs, hosted by six Kentucky colleges and universities, provide students with the opportunity to continue their education while gaining essential life and job skills. CTPs are approved by the U.S. Department of Education: Students enrolled in these programs may be eligible for federal financial aid, even if they are not pursuing a traditional degree. Students with ID enrolled in an approved CTP can access federal financial aid for which they qualify and state financial aid from the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES), Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship, and