Brandi Hurd Photography
Berry’s Inclusive Postsecondary Education Program marked a milestone at spring commencement as its first three graduates – Will Agan, Kate Jarrett and Griffin Mashburn – received certificates of completion from President Sandeep Mazumder.
Led by Gund Professor of Psychology Michelle Haney, the nationally recognized program is one of 10 in Georgia serving young adults with intellectual disabilities and the first offered by a private college in the state.
With support from donor-funded endowments, IPSE delivers an education mirroring that of traditional Berry undergrads, emphasizing mentored professional development, on-campus work experience and peer-supported coursework. Complementary activities such as workshops in financial planning and a multi-day etiquette event hosted by The Spires retirement community further cultivate social skills, independence and self-advocacy.
Graduates in the inaugural class are wasting no time putting Berry-learned lessons into action: Agan works at Chick-fil-A while helping launch a family business using skills honed in a student enterprise; Jarrett volunteers in labor and delivery at a local hospital; and Mashburn is pursuing an associate’s degree in computer support.
“Will, Kate and Griffin worked incredibly hard and grew so much over the past two years,” Haney exclaimed. “We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.”
