Edith Moore Squires was a lifetime Spartan, special education teacher and fierce advocate for students with disabilities. She strived to create accessibility that would allow students to build capacity and she embraced, celebrated and promoted human adaptability.
The Edith Moore Squires Endowment provides funding to expand and promote ability and help students envision their highest potential. Funding from the program and new staffing from the Gilbert family are leading new programming in the areas of health, wellness and resiliency including a new 1-credit course for first year students, intent on starting strong at MSU and a first-year wellness mentoring program.
Programming
RCPD Community Groups
Inspired by Edith's passion for student success and wellness, and in response to students' requests for increased connectivity within the RCPD community, RCPD's Access Specialists began facilitating Community Groups throughout the 2020-21 academic year. Groups for undergraduate and graduate students meet once per week, facilitated by RCPD specialists and student peers. Conversations are student-led and have included navigating disability impacts, online learning, dealing with challenging family/relationship situations, social isolation and other topics. So far, students have said:
- "It helps to replicate the on campus experience"
- “It’s a form of self-care and a sense of normalcy throughout COVID”
After seeing wonderful responses to the fall 2020 pilot, RCPD continues the groups to foster community building, cooperation, and peer support for students with disabilities. During fall 2021, we will pilot disability and identity-specific groups to bolster the level of support for students.
UGS 110
Beginning fall 2018, a first-year seminar entitled Maximize Ability and Resiliency at MSU is offered by Team RCPD as a special 11-week UGS110 course. The course begins a couple weeks into the semester to facilitate enrollment even after arrival at MSU. Search for UGS110 in MSU's Student Information System to add section 316 to your schedule.
In this first-year seminar, students explore ways to build resiliency, establish and maintain healthy habits, expand their connections to the MSU community, and identify resources and support systems they will use to succeed at MSU and beyond.