VCU honored for supporting employment opportunities for students with disabilities

By Lucian Friel

An international organization that promotes career development and transition services for youths with disabilities has honored Virginia Commonwealth University for its employment practices.

VCU recently received the Employer of the Year award from a unit of the Council for Exceptional Children, which helps shape policy and practices in the field. Its Division on Career Development and Transition presented the award at its international conference, held in Northern Virginia in October, in recognition of a business committed to promoting employment opportunities for students with disabilities.

"At VCU, we strive to cultivate and support a work environment that is welcoming and inclusive of all abilities and identities," said Alison Miller, chief human resources officer. "This award is a great indicator that we are moving in the right direction - and that the university's collective efforts to create and sustain this culture are having the desired impact."

VCU was nominated for the award by ACE-IT in College, a VCU School of Education program for students with intellectual disability. In the nomination letter, ACE-IT Director Jaclyn Camden highlighted VCU's commitment to hiring students with disabilities.

"VCU has hired ACE-IT in College student workers since the program's inception in 2011," Camden said. "Not only has VCU consistently hired students enrolled in the program as student workers, but they have also hired graduates as permanent employees and provided additional exploration opportunities like informational interviews, job tours and internships. Some departments have even created pathways that move students from student workers to interns to full-time employees."

ACE-IT in College, which is part of VCU's Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, is an inclusive postsecondary education certificate program for students with intellectual disability who do not meet traditional college entrance criteria. It offers them the opportunity to take career-aligned courses, hold paid campus jobs and participate in community internships to prepare for careers.

Camden said VCU has offered ACE-IT students a wide range of employment opportunities across various departments. The roles provide valuable job experience and contribute to the students' professional growth and independence.

"Over the last 13 years, students have worked with more than 31 campus partners across 17 departments," Camden said. "Half of those partners have worked with program staff to customize a variety of different positions to ensure that they were hiring students into positions that aligned with their strengths, interests and needs."

Among campus operations where ACE-IT in College students have worked are RecWell - 22 have been employed there, including one who was honored as employee of the month - as well as VCU Libraries, the Institute for Contemporary Art, the Police Department and the Child Development Center.

"VCU's HR and hiring managers consistently work with students to ensure the hiring process is inclusive and accessible, from providing modified interview strategies to welcoming job coaching support," Camden said.

Miller noted that VCU has enhanced recruitment and retention efforts through targeted initiatives such as Career Pathing@VCU and by leveraging relationships with internal partners, including ACE-IT.

"These efforts create pathways for career growth and ensure that all employees feel empowered to succeed," she said.

Camden said she values such commitment from HR and departments across campus for their ongoing support.

"As an employer, VCU has shown its commitment to hiring diverse talent," she said, "and together we can continue creating an inclusive workforce on campus that empowers every employee, including those with disabilities, to thrive."