UNIVERSITY
Opportunity Orange Scholars
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This past August , Oklahoma State University welcomed its first cohort of Opportunity Orange Scholars to the Stillwater campus .
Opportunity Orange Scholars is an inclusive post-secondary education program designed for students between the ages of 18 and 26 who have intellectual disability and do not meet the admissions criteria to be degree seeking students at OSU .
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The goal of this program is to help our students become independent and help them live a life that is enviable ,” said Dr . Emily Tucker , Opportunity Orange Scholars program director .
The program is designed to foster academics , career exploration and preparation , interdependent living , and community engagement and belonging , Tucker said . Specifically , OOS works to provide each student with an individual study plan that aligns with the program cornerstones .
“ This fall , all five scholars are enrolled in the Human Development and Family Sciences freshman seminar class , a Relationships 101 class , and program specific courses ,” said Dr . Kami Gallus Opportunity Orange Scholars faculty co-founder .
In the spring , the idea is for students to find a class in the course catalog that fits their personal goals , Gallus said . Once a student finds a class they want to take , OOS faculty work with the academic college and create an education plan for the student .
“ The idea is that they ’ re not just taking classes for classes sake ,” Gallus said . “ It ’ s not a cookie cutter approach , it is very individualized to assist students in finding meaningful work and careers .”
To be accepted into the OOS program , prospective students must submit an application and participate in an interview process , Tucker said .
When we do interviews , we ask , ‘ How does your life look right now and what would you like for it to look like ?’ — DR . EMILY TUCKER