With Disability Awareness Month approaching next month, the University is celebrating the programs and people who champion inclusion, access and meaningful opportunities for all students. Among these efforts is Path to Independence (P2I), a transformative program that empowers students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience college life, build independence and prepare for fulfilling futures.

Path to Independence (P2I) is an inclusive, two-year, non-degree certificate program housed within the College of Education and Human Development. The program offers a full college experience through a combination of inclusive university coursework, specialized seminars and hands-on career preparation to help students build meaningful futures.

P2I is the only program in Nevada to offer fully inclusive on-campus housing for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Students live alongside their peers in residence halls and receive support from trained residential coaches, fellow University students who provide guidance in daily living skills, social engagement and navigating campus life. This support helps students gain confidence as they take greater ownership of their independence.

Nicole Wadden, director of the Path to Independence, remarked, “The growth we see in our students in such a short amount of time living in the residence halls is remarkable. On-campus living gives students the opportunity to safely experience true independence, without parents reminding them what to do, and to learn through real, everyday experiences. From forgetting to set an alarm to navigating shared living expectations with roommates, students experience both the successes and the natural consequences of daily life. This process builds confidence, accountability and a deeper understanding of what independence truly means.”

Ellie, a second-year P2I student from Reno, is experiencing residential life for the first time. She lives in the Living Learning Community residential hall with her roommate and fellow P2I student, Faye, who is from Yerington.

For Ellie, living on campus has been a major step forward. She balances her coursework with her job at Aspen Animal Wellness and is working toward her goal of becoming a veterinary technician or veterinary assistant.

“Having support in college makes it more enjoyable,” Ellie said.

Faye is also building independence through on-campus living. She works at the Center for Student Engagement and has developed an interest in office work and criminal justice. Through her classes and work experiences, she is discovering new strengths.

“I didn’t realize how independent I could be until P2I,” Faye said.

Living together, Ellie and Faye support one another as they navigate residential hall life and their growing independence. From managing schedules and completing assignments to handling daily responsibilities, they encourage each other every step of the way. Their shared experience demonstrates how the right support system can make independence not only possible, but empowering.

Path to Independence was founded in 2013 by Mary Bryant, whose daughter has Down Syndrome. What began as a mother’s vision to create inclusive higher-education opportunities has grown into a vibrant and respected program serving students from across Nevada, including rural communities.

Some P2I students live on campus, while others commute, but all share a common goal of gaining academic skills, career readiness and greater independence. Students enroll in a combination of inclusive University courses and P2I independent living classes, such as relationships and sexuality, financial literacy, culinary and nutrition and self-advocacy. Peer mentors provide in-class support, and students access campus resources such as the library, tutoring centers and the Disability Resource Center.

Through pre-employment transition services and work-based learning experiences, students explore career pathways and gain hands-on experience. An employment coordinator and job coaches partner with local employers to create meaningful, integrated job opportunities that prepare students for competitive employment after graduation.

Of the more than 50 graduates, 31 have secured employment following program completion. Graduates have gone on to roles such as small business owner, prep chef, casino showroom usher, grocery store clerk and assistant preschool teacher, reflecting the program’s commitment to helping students gain confidence and independence. Several graduates have also continued their education toward earning a bachelor’s degree.

“Support from the University Residential Life, Housing, and Food Services has been instrumental in the growth of Path to Independence," Wadden explained. "This collaboration has allowed us to expand services to students from rural Nevada and surrounding states, ensuring greater access to inclusive higher education, independent living experiences and pathways to competitive, integrated employment.”