Our Student Impact Stories give you a glimpse into the real experiences of student scholars with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who are part of inclusive college programs across California. In their own words, students share what college means to them—building friendships, exploring independence, gaining skills for future careers, and finding a true sense of belonging on campus. These stories celebrate student voices and remind us that inclusive higher education opens doors to opportunity, growth, and community.
College: San Francisco State
Program: Recreation, Parks and Tourism
What do you want your life to be like after college? In the future, after college, I hope to use all the knowledge I have learned in my course of study at SF State to get a nice job. I think it is doable because going to college opens all types of opportunities, and I hope some of these opportunities can lead me to my goal of getting a fulfilling job.
College: San Francisco State
Program: Early Elementary Education & Child Adolescent Development
What do you want your life to be like after college? I would like my life to be more balanced between work and personal responsibility. That being, having better management skills on learning how to adult and be present for my family and friends when possible.
College: San Francisco State
Program: Animation in Cinema
What do you like most about being in college? Animation is my favorite to study. It keeps me as an animator to create animated films, short films, and movies. One part of animation is moving a character and drawing, and coming up with a story idea to make a project. Making characters move in Adobe Animate is making the characters' mouths move and talking, and the background moves. When I started taking Animation 1 class in 2024 to fall semester, I was studying, and Animation 2 this spring, I learn about the sound effects and making sound what animated sounds are from. That is my favorite thing about being in college, my goal is to be an animator in my career.
College: San Francisco State
Program: Hospitality & Tourism Management
What do you want your life to be like after college? After college, I hope to keep working at the California Academy of Sciences. In the future, I want my life to include being independent, having a stable job, having my own family, and having my own house. I see myself being open-minded, trying new things, learning new languages, traveling to different places, and enjoying life! My goals after college include getting a driver's license, exercising, and reading books. I want to live in a place where I can call home, a place I feel I belong.
College: San Francisco State
Program: Art and Design
What advice do you have for future students? The advice for future students is: If you don't understand what to do in class, don't be afraid to ask questions. Sometimes it was hard for me to understand a question or how to answer a question. You can ask professors to repeat the question to make it clearer. I learned this from my peer mentors.
College: Pathway at UCLA Extension
Program: Specialization in Learning and Life skills; Early Childhood Education Certificate
What do you like most about being in college? I have really enjoyed having the college experience and meeting new friends. I have been able to challenge myself to pursuing my early childhood certificate while at Pathway and although it was hard at first I now feel good about it. I feel I am more confident in taking these classes, having my ed coaches help me review the assignments before I start on them has helped me be a stronger student.
College: Pathway at UCLA Extension
Program: Specialization in Learning and Life skills
What do you like most about being in college? I like spending more time in Los Angeles, this was my first experience in Los Angeles and living away from family. It was hard at first, but I made time to talk to family, when I felt I needed them. I learned how to divide and balance my time with friends, family and my responsibilities.
College: San Francisco State
Program: Comic Studies
What do you like most about being in college? A class I really liked was about Comics. I liked doing group activities, drawing comics, and making designs on the computer. I like learning how to use Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. In a Digital Design class, I enjoy looking at different parts of design pictures and what things stick out more. I also enjoy learning the different types of fonts of words and the different shapes of objects, like knowing there are a lot of different types of fonts and shapes. I really enjoy my Comic Studies and Digital Design classes.
College: Pathway at UCLA Extension
Program: Specialization in Learning and Life Skills
What do you like most about being in college? I like being able to have a glimpse of being a college student at UCLA. Prior to getting here I was curious and wanted to try college and be able to connect with other students, participate in school activities, and knowing I would get the opportunity to be in typical college classes was exciting. My internships allowed me to become a part of the university family and be in a supportive environment while I have new vocational opportunities.
College: Pathway at UCLA Extension
Program: Specialization in Learning and Life Skills
What do you like most about being in college? One of the best things about being in college is being independent and having friends. I also enjoy being able to have a busy social calendar. I have never really had that before so I appreciate having it. It's fun and interesting. It makes my day brighter.
College: Pathway UCLA Extension
Program: Learning and Life Skills
What was something that felt hard for you in college? What helped you? I like going to class on my own now. It was hard at first but it got easier each time I attended. When I did my first paper, it was also a challenge. I reached out to my ed coach and supports that I had avaiable to me for help. My advice for students who are interested in college is taking every challenge one step at a time. It gets easier the more you do it.