RISE Summer College Readiness Program Featured on WDAM

Executive Coordinator Danielle Mullins was featured on WDAM midday Thursday, July 3, 2025 to discuss RISE and the upcoming first EVER RISE Summer College Readiness Program!

Watch the interview embedded below:

Attending college is a dream for many young people, including those with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. The Reaching, Including, Supporting and Educating To The Top! (RISE TTT!) Southern Miss inclusive postsecondary education program provides these potential students the opportunity to reach that dream. These Eagles can soar like all Southern Miss students in order to succeed, thrive, and reach their full potential while being a student.

The RISE TTT! Southern Miss program, fully established in 2024 with a pilot program since 2015, is a four-year, eight-semester inclusive college program incorporating academics and employment preparation, leading to a certificate upon completion. The program is focused on four major areas including academics, community engagement, employment and student life.

This program is a partnership between the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) and the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development.

To learn more about RISE To The Top! at USM, call 601.266.4676 or email rise@groups.usm.edu.