Building Bridges

Building

Bridges

by Dr. Michele Marjason

“In the state of Texas, there are more than 4,000 universities, and there are only 8 programs like this in the whole state.

And, we are one of the two that provides individual specialized support.”

Dr. Michele Marjason (’04) joined LeTourneau University seven years ago as adjunct faculty for the School of Education. In 2021, she became a full-time staff member when she was named Director of The Bridges College Success Program, strategically supporting and engaging students with autism spectrum disorder. She received her Doctorate in Organizational Educational Leadership with an Emphasis in Special Education from Grand Canyon University, a master’s in Special Education from Grand Canyon University, and a Bachelor of Education from LeTourneau University. She also has an Educational Diagnostician Certification from The University of Texas and Region 11 ESC.

Dr. Marjason introduces the latest way LETU is honoring our longstanding commitment to provide a welcoming and comfortable home to all of our students, no matter where they are in their educational journey, how they're wired, or what their learning styles are.

Autism—The Landscape

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. ASD is characterized by ongoing social problems that include difficulty communicating and interacting with others, repetitive behaviors as well as limited interests or activities, and symptoms that impact the individual’s ability to function socially, at school or work, or other areas of life. Abilities vary significantly, meaning custom support is critical.

About 1 in 54 children has been identified with ASD according to estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, and is more than four times more common among boys than among girls.

As diagnosis and awareness of autism has increased, the number of students with autism attending college has also increased. While many students with autism do well in the college environment, many struggle with unknown social norms, executive functioning, living among peers, and the increased life skills required of college life. This can be

Longview World of Wonders

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, our Bridges College Success Program partnered with the Longview World of Wonders (WOW) for a Sensory Friendly Playtime—a low-sensory event designed for students with autism spectrum or sensory processing disorder to explore the museum without the noise, crowds, and stimulation of a typical day. For autistic children, engaging in sensory play can retrain the brain's response to sensory information and help to cope better when dealing with different sounds, textures, lights, scents, and taste. The WOW space was reserved for these students and their families and configured with lower light, no sound, and play centers filled with tactile, engaging activities to support motor and social skill development. LETU Bridges and other student volunteers facilitated 1:1 guided play and shared information about autism support.

Amari Wright

Major: Psychology Hometown: Houston, Texas

“The Bridges program is unique in that it provides a community and support system for students with autism. As a peer mentor, I get to be a part of this social support system. Often, I have the opportunity to hang out with Bridges students, tutor them, or go to club meetings with them. I am also here for them if they want to talk, vent, or if they have questions about social situations.

One Bridges resource that is especially helpful is the weekly skills group. In these sessions we learn about social, academic, and life skills. I have found these to be majorly useful. I would also encourage anyone to participate in our community outings. They have helped the other students, and myself, step out of our comfort zones in ways that are keyed into our interests and abilities.

Dr. Marjason has created an environment where students feel accepted and seen, and I think those components are missing from a lot of other spaces. Through my education in psychology, I have learned the importance of such an environment. Everyone deserves to have a place where they are genuinely accepted. I can truly say God is what brought me to LeTourneau University. My experience at this school has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

Allison Cook

Major: Mechanical Engineering, with a Computer Science minor

attributed to a lack of self-management and self-advocacy abilities, which are required to organize and negotiate life away from home. The regular difficulties and stressors of transitioning from high school, as well as not always understanding who, how, or when to ask for support, intensify the situation.

The Response

The LeTourneau University Bridges College Success program partners with families to create a college environment in which social and life skills, as well as community living and learning, are thoughtfully fostered for this population of students.

College is hard! My students have even more difficulty with their social issues, with their community. So, one of the things here that is so important is to get these students into our program; to get them involved, to get them engaged in a meaningful career and connected with employers who hire students with autism as one of their corporate initiatives.

Bridges is an innovative, individualized, college transition program that supports students with autism to successfully integrate into college. Through Bridges, students gain the necessary skills to pursue an academic degree in a field of their choice. Bridges staff serve as the liaison between the enrolled students and the university system, assisting the student in navigating the academic and social nuances that are fundamental to college life.

Someone in your life likely has autism. Research has found that 85% of students who graduate from college who have autism are either underemployed, which means they may work at Wal-Mart even though they have an engineering degree, or they aren’t employed at all, which means they’re likely sitting at home playing video games. (Recent studies published in the Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders indicate children with autism may be especially prone to screen addiction.)

The Mission

The Bridges College Success Program strives to provide students an authentic college experience while offering a supportive environment that cultivates interpersonal, intrapersonal, and professional growth.

Our purpose is to encourage independence and community development with the ultimate goal of gaining meaningful employment in the students' chosen profession.

The mission of LETU is confirmed and celebrated when students with ASD have equal access to a college education, can successfully participate in the academic, residential, and social realms of LETU, and can fulfill the mission of LETU.

The Process

Bridges utilizes person-centered planning and a ‘wraparound’ planning process to build individualized support, surrounding each student from all angles with the high-touch resources they need to thrive. These include academic coaches, tutors, and advisors, peer mentors, counseling services, family, and career services.

Practically, this looks like: a pre-fall semester orientation; individual coaching (weekly during the student’s first semester and as needed beyond); weekly skills groups focusing on academic, social, daily life skills, and cultural supports; a weekly support group focusing on the perceptions of college life and being a college student; liaison support with faculty, staff, and university departments, and supported community outings. Undergraduate peer mentors provide support with academics, social life, and navigating the campus and its culture, and supervised study hall is offered for program participants.

We do monthly outings as a group, to get out into the community. I teach a social skills support group—how to chit chat, what a friend is, how to make a friend, how to keep a friend, how to deal with conflicts. I also support them in talking to faculty—how to write emails, how to interact with them, and promote self-advocacy. We also support them in the dorms—getting them out of playing video games and into community.

The Point

LETU has a long heritage of feeling like a supportive home for a varied population of students, and Bridges participants are no exception.

It’s so important these students are here. They do have questions. They are just like our other students who are searching for a career path, and for meaning in life.

Sarah Kushner

Major: Biology, Computer Science and Engineering Technology (CST), with a Chemistry Minor Hometown: Carthage, Texas

“I heard about LETU from several people in my hometown, but did not really consider applying until I talked with a recruiter at the community college I was taking dual credit at. I applied while in the process of applying to several other schools, but after I toured campus and met with several professors, I knew this was where God wanted me. Since becoming a student at LETU I have been blessed more than I could have ever imagined, and I know without a doubt that this was what God had always planned for me.

I really value the support I get from everyone in the Bridges program. Dr. Marjason has been so helpful and kind in helping me navigate some stressful situations, and I have made several great friends as well. It enriches my experience because I know I have a support system of people who understand how my brain works and are willing to help and listen when I need advice.

I have discovered multiple resources at LETU through Bridges and through personal inquiries. I would really encourage students to take advantage of the Achievement Center's resources, such as the testing rooms and math tutoring sessions. I also have had several appointments with tutors and try to attend SI sessions as frequently as possible. I would say one of the most useful things I have learned this year has been branching out and connecting with new people. I have gotten to know several of my professors, and they have become great mentors for me. I would suggest to incoming and current college students to be social and try as many new things as possible. Students should never isolate themselves and should meet as many people and utilize as many resources and learning experiences they can.”