Shippensburg University receives ELO grant and renewed funding from Big Spring

Shippensburg University is increasing its efforts to support students with disabilities and assist future educators. Ship has been awarded a $20,000 Developing Future Special Educators Grant from the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) and renewed $72,934 in funding from the Big Spring School District for the William Gillette Postsecondary Inclusive Education Center Program. Both projects are directed by Jacquelyn Chovanes, associate professor of educational leadership and special education and the graduate program coordinator for special education.

The Developing Future Special Educators Grant will be used to expand upon experiential learning opportunities (ELO), allowing secondary and postsecondary students to learn how to work with students who have disabilities and gain hands-on experience. 

“I very much appreciate the opportunity provided by PaTTAN to use this grant funding to help Shippensburg University students discover the benefits of pursuing a career in special education,” Chovanes said. “The fact that we can partner with Big Spring School District to offer this ELO makes this project uniquely rewarding because it allows our students to work closely with students with disabilities and gives them a head start in the development of their teaching skills.”

The renewed funding for the William Gillette Postsecondary Inclusive Education Center Program remains a longstanding partnership between Ship and the Big Spring School District. The program provides job readiness training for high school students with disabilities and allows them to work in positions across the university. Through these opportunities, students are able to build skills that will help them achieve success upon graduating. 

Ashley Gleeson, the transition coordinator for Big Spring School District, believes this collaboration will help her students have more authentic learning experiences. 

“My greatest passion has always been breaking down barriers for individuals with disabilities to access opportunities that will increase their independence and overall happiness,” Gleeson said. “The Ship SAILS, ANCHORED, and HIRE ME programs allow students with disabilities to participate in work experiences across Shippensburg University’s campus and develop skills that will continue to benefit them long after they graduate.”

Gleeson highlighted how the ELO grant funding will address the need for job coaches, which will expand the number of job sites available to students.“This grant will allow our programs to increase the number of job coaches we can utilize, and in turn, will allow for even more worksites to run simultaneously,” she said. “Thanks to Dr. Chovanes and her work with the ELO grant, more Shippensburg University students will have the ability to experience the joy of helping students with disabilities develop work readiness skills and pursue their transition goals.”

A Ship graduate assistant and master’s student in school counseling also emphasized the impact that these initiatives will have. 

“The ELO funding will allow for more individuals to be involved with the programs and create more opportunities for our students to experience a sense of belonging on a college campus,” Wooster said. “I cannot begin to explain the inclusivity that has been created among our job coaches, peer mentors, Big Spring School District students, and Shippensburg University job site supervisors. With the ELO funding supporting the addition of more individuals, I am excited to see the many things that we will be able to accomplish.”

Wooster also discussed how working with these programs has prepared her for her future career. Working with these programs has not only added to my experience in working with individuals with disabilities but has also increased my confidence and competence in this area,” she said. “As a future school counselor, my role will be to serve and advocate for all students, regardless of ability, and these programs have provided me with opportunities that have prepared me for just that.”

The programs have also introduced events like the William Gillette All-Inclusive Gala, launched in 2023, which celebrates the achievements of students and builds stronger connections within 

The ELO grant and the renewed funding from Big Spring School District will be used to continue creating learning opportunities that will benefit students with disabilities and support future educators. Shippensburg University is proud to honor this commitment.