Transition Impact Award: Most Transformative Provider
Service Categories: Job Exploration Counseling, Instruction in Self-Advocacy, Workplace Readiness
Earlier this year, Southern Utah University’s Disability Resource Center received a 2025 Transition Impact Award for their outstanding Pre-ETS services. This recognition celebrates their commitment to empowering students with disabilities and the measurable growth they’ve achieved through the Transition Readiness Toolkit.
Following the announcement, we invited the SUU DRC team to share more about what makes their program successful. Carisa Wood shared a powerful glimpse into how student-centered support creates long-term impact.
At SUU, the Disability Resource Center doesn’t just provide accommodations, it creates an environment where students with disabilities are seen, supported, and encouraged. They described their approach this way:
“The support, resources, and training provided to our peer mentors and students increases the retention and the successes. We work collaboratively to help students access their accommodations and campus resources to increase their academic success. We also have tools in place for them to increase their professional development skills and workplace readiness to gain employment either here on campus or in the community. We have many tools that help them focus on what skills to prioritize during their structured mentoring meetings. Consistency is key!”
From intake appointments to campus-wide partnerships, every step of the process is designed to reinforce student confidence and autonomy. The DRC also ensures that reasonable accommodations are both appropriate and empowering, minimizing barriers without compromising expectations.
The team shared a small but powerful moment that demonstrate just how impactful this approach can be.
“This student through working with their mentor over the last few semesters has vastly improved academically, socially and gained full time employment for the summer. Their mentor worked hard earning rapport with them at first, then academically and as they were successful they started working on social goals. Due to the level of trust the mentor and mentee have developed this student is exceeding every goal they set. They went from being a withdrawn student barely passing, to A’s and B’s, being socially engaged, their physical appearance has changed to a more professional look and they walk with their head up versus looking at the ground. They have now obtained a full time job for the summer in their respective field of study and are planning for graduation next year. They credit their mentor and the peer mentor program for helping them gain the skills to create so much success.”
This spotlight is just one example of the transformative work happening across the Pre-ETS community. Congratulations again to the team at Southern Utah University’s DRC—we’re so proud to highlight your success.