Gear Up for College: Showcasing Accessibility in Higher Education to High School Students
On March 27, 2025, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) proudly hosted the “Gear Up for College” event. This collaborative, day-long initiative brought together VCU Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity (SAEO), Level Up Virginia, and ACE-IT, with vital support from various campus partners, including the Division of Student Affairs, Orientation, the School of Education Admissions, VCU Admissions, Police, and Parking. The event welcomed over 70 high school students from across the Commonwealth, with a primary goal of demystifying the college transition, especially for students with disabilities, by highlighting VCU’s commitment to accessibility.
The initiative was spearheaded by Sarabeth Dreis of Gear Up Virginia, a program under the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) dedicated to promoting postsecondary readiness and success. Dreis collaborated closely with VCU’s ACE-IT team, with program coordinator Jan Shea leading the event’s execution at VCU. ACE-IT is specifically designed to assist students with disabilities in their transition to college. Established in 2010 through a U.S. Department of Education grant, the ACE-IT in College program enables students to enroll at VCU, take academic courses, engage in competitive employment, and ultimately earn a certificate from the VCU School of Education.
VCU partners rapidly mobilized to secure the venue, organize the program, and ensure a seamless day for participants. Students toured the campus, visited residence halls, and heard from key speakers including Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Aaron Hart, Dr. Brandi Levingston, Sarabeth Dreis, and Jaclyn Camden. A particularly impactful element for the high school students was hearing directly from current VCU students about their successful transitions and experiences thriving within the VCU community. These personal insights into VCU’s accessibility and supportive environment resonated deeply with attendees. Students also thoroughly enjoyed their lunch experience at the Shafer Court Dining Center.
Dr. Brandi Levingston, Associate Director for SAEO, highlighted the event’s significance: “The Gear Up event was a powerful way to bridge the gap between high school and postsecondary opportunities for students with disabilities, who are often marginalized in the college preparation process. It offered an accessible and supportive environment for students to explore higher education and learn about the many resources VCU provides. The opportunity to hear directly from current VCU students with disabilities added an invaluable, firsthand perspective on navigating college life.”
Drawing students from diverse locations, from Danville to Manassas, the day proved to be a tremendous success. Dreis shared a powerful anecdote from a school coordinator whose student, a wheelchair user, “saw how physically accessible VCU was for her, which helped her realize that maybe there’s more beyond Danville that could be a good fit.” Dreis also observed a notable shift in confidence among many attendees: “A majority of the students who attended that day came out of their shell… they realized that college can be accessible for them and they can still have support beyond high school.”
Due to its overwhelming success and profound impact, VCU is excited to host this vital event again in October 2025.
Categories Annual Report Stories 2024-25