USCA LIFE

Julianna “Jules” Gray and Ava Shahbahrami not only shared the decision to attend the same university, but also crossed the stage together with all smiles after graduating from the USCA LIFE program on May 6.   Gray and Shahbahrami, both from Lexington, SC, have Down syndrome and made local and national headlines after enrolling in the program in fall 2024.  Since arriving on campus, the pair have built lasting friendships, grown in independence, and embraced every opportunity that college life had to offer. From attending sporting events and dances to working jobs, the two quickly became familiar faces throughout the USCA community.  “I think I will miss the dynamic between the two of them the most. They encouraged and supported each other in everything that they did,” said Falcone Dunlap, coordinator and teacher for USCA LIFE.   Dunlap said one of the biggest areas of growth she noticed in both students was in their communication skills, which helped strengthen their confidence and ability to advocate for themselves.  “The growth in these skills have increased their ability to be self-advocates and I could not be prouder.” she said.  For Shahbahrami’s mother, Patricia Gates, watching her daughter grow throughout the program has been emotional and rewarding.  “I am completely overwhelmed with pride for Ava’s growth,” Gates said. “Ava’s confidence in her ability to do things has grown tremendously. She loves to say, ‘I got it! I’m an adult.’”  Programs like USCA LIFE, she explained, have given their family reassurance and confidence in Ava’s future.  “We knew she could do all these things, but being in a setting where she had to prove it and then finish with a credential means the world to us,” she said.  Following graduation, Ava has already accepted a new position at Joy in the Journey, a speech and occupational therapy office in Lexington, South Carolina, where she will serve as the office’s joy coordinator. Beginning June 2, she will help therapists prepare rooms, welcome new clients, and assist in the waiting room.  While stepping into the workforce, Ava is also looking ahead to even bigger goals.  “She would like to live on her own or with roommates in an apartment,” her mother said. “She still wants to be like any other college graduate and 23-year-old and start living without her parents.”  Jules’ mother, Toni Gray, has also seen tremendous personal growth during her daughter’s time in the program.  “The changes we’ve noticed are an increase in her day-to-day independence and a definite growth in her level of maturity,” Gray said.  Although Ava will not be returning to campus in the fall, Jules plans to continue in the USCA LIFE Leadership & Civic Engagement (LCE) program as a third-year student and is already looking forward to the upcoming school year.   “She’s extremely excited about being a third-year student,” Gray said. “She’s looking forward to moving into a new dorm and finding out who her roommates will be.”  Their friendship, however, is far from ending. Gates and Gray say their daughters will still make plans to catch up over the summer.   “Her friendship with Ava is an unbreakable bond,” Gray said. “They talk, text, and/or FaceTime every day, but they are not inseparable. They both have many other friends and activities without each other. Jules will miss her when she returns in the fall because Ava has decided not to return. I’m sure they will still call each other at 8 p.m. every night to say goodnight.”  During her time at USCA, Jules especially embraced the social side of college life while also gaining valuable work experience through a job at ACE Hardware.  “Jules truly enjoyed the social aspects of college the most,” Gray said. “She was always planning her next activity such as sporting events, dances, karaoke, or just spending time with the other students in the dorm lobby.”  “She worked three days a week cleaning, organizing, and helping customers,” Gray added. “She’s excited to find out what new job she’ll get when she returns.”  As the two best friends celebrate this milestone together, their families say the USCA LIFE program has helped provide opportunities, confidence and independence that will continue shaping their futures long after graduation. 

The University of South Carolina Aiken’s LIFE (Learning is For Everyone) program partnered with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SC DEW) to host its inaugural employer summit on March 20 in the Student Activities Center. The event welcomed more than a dozen employers and organizations from across the region, including representatives from McDonald’s, the Tri-Development Center of Aiken Co. and more. Attendees shared valuable insights on career pathways, current job openings and the skills employers are seeking in today’s workforce. The summit underscored the growing collaboration between the USCA LIFE program and SC DEW, both dedicated to expanding employment opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities. “We had two primary goals for our first employer summit. First, we wanted to raise awareness of the program across the region and the state. Secondly, we wanted to help connect our students with potential employers for future jobs,” said Dr. Melissa Martin, director of USCA LIFE. Martin also emphasized the importance of access and opportunity, noting that nationally, only about 18% of individuals with intellectual disabilities obtain and maintain employment after completing K-12 education. In contrast, approximately 85% of LIFE program graduates secure employment. “These individuals just need access and an opportunity,” she said. Among the organizations represented was the Tri-Development Center of Aiken County, Inc., where Director of Human Resources Shay Smith described her participation in the summit as a full-circle moment. As a 2001 USCA graduate with degrees in psychology and sociology, Smith expressed strong support for the LIFE program and its mission. “We welcome being a part of that work program and helping students gain experience,” Smith said. “They’re encouraged to apply online or in person, and we assist in pairing them with departments that best suit their needs.” She explained that students interested in administrative roles may work with human resources, while those drawn to hands-on caregiving can gain experience through the organization’s vocational programs. “We absolutely love it; we think USCA LIFE is a great program. We really believe in inclusivity in the community and helping individuals grow, gain quality work experience, and develop their skills,” Smith added. Smith also shared a personal connection with the work. After experiencing a serious car accident during her freshman year that temporarily affected her ability to walk and speak, she developed a deep passion for supporting individuals with disabilities. “This work is very personal to me,” she said. “It’s why I wanted to work with Tri-Development Center, to help individuals with different abilities gain independence.” She added that programs like USCA LIFE not only benefit students, but employers as well. “Participants come ready to work and do a good job, and employers are partnering with a well-established program,” Smith said. Sarah Michlovitz, a transition counselor with Vocational Rehabilitation, also attended the summit and highlighted the role her organization plays in supporting individuals with disabilities. “What we do is assist individuals with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining competitive employment,” Michlovitz said. “We usually start working with individuals while they’re still in high school, providing training and helping them build skills so they can secure employment after graduation.” She noted that many students entering the LIFE program already have a foundation through Vocational Rehabilitation services, allowing them to continue strengthening essential skills. “Since joining the LIFE program, they’ve continued building important skills — especially independent living skills, which are essential,” she said. “The program helps them become more independent, take on responsibility and prepare for adulthood. All the classes and experiences they have really help them get ready for these opportunities.” Michlovitz also addressed one of the common challenges within the program, transportation. While Vocational Rehabilitation does not directly provide transportation, she explained that financial assistance may be available in certain cases. “If an individual obtains employment, we may be able to provide a stipend depending on their financial situation,” she said. “Aiken doesn’t have a lot of transportation options, but we do our best to help individuals find and access whatever resources are available.” Together, the summit demonstrated the power of collaboration in creating pathways to meaningful employment and independence for students with disabilities, while also strengthening connections between educational programs and local employers. Employers interested in hiring students from the program are encouraged to contact [email protected] for more information. The event was also covered by the Augusta Business Daily. 

Limitless is more than just a business venture for Jayden Rouse, a first-year student in the USCA LIFE program; it’s an opportunity to show that there are no limits for anyone, especially individuals with intellectual disabilities. The motto behind it, “With no end, limit or boundary,” reinforces the idea that there are no bounds. “The goal is to show that students, with or without disabilities, should never limit themselves and can accomplish anything they set their minds to,” Rouse said. His business consists of a clothing line of mainly of T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, ball caps, baby onesies and beanies with items ranging from $20 to $55. Just two years ago at South Aiken High School, Rouse came up with the idea to start Limitless during his junior year. “At first students were wanting to represent it and now my goal is to bring it to USCA and get other students on campus to wear it with the right meaning.” “He’s a warrior,” said Landon Figueroa, Rouse’s best friend and Limitless co-creator. “Anyone with a disability is a warrior in my eyes and Jayden uses the word ‘limitless’ often.” Figueroa first met Rouse in middle school, often joking about their shared memories, and the two have been inseparable ever since. “I remember when Limitless just started out as a brainstorming session,” Figueroa said. “Jayden just wanted something that had meaning and what people could relate to. I just remembering googling terms that could talk about his disability.” At the age of 3, Rouse was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a disorder that affects muscle tone, movement and motor skills. “I’ve always told him as a kid growing up with a disability you are still a normal kid. Never let your disability define you,” said Tikasha Gabbidon, Rouse’s mother. Gabbidon says she’s proud of her son’s work with Limitless, especially knowing that Rouse has Figueroa to help with orders, allowing him to concentrate on school. “School is a main priority and if anything needs to be done or made, Landon helps and steps in to make and process the inventory.” Rouse added that Limitless has continued to grow, with inventory sold as far away as New York and New Jersey. Monica Martin serves as the outreach coordinator for USCA LIFE program and says the program’s main purpose is to foster the importance of independence for its students. “Having your own business before you leave college is a huge deal,” she said. “What Jayden’s meaning behind Limitless means a lot for our students. Being able to say ‘I don’t have any restrictions’ is very important and being a part of this program is a huge realization in the lives of our students.” Rouse says he’s forever grateful to the program for embracing his business venture. “I’m just getting started,” he said. “My goal is to get all the LIFE students to wear my gear. I feel like once more students see us wearing Limitless, it may encourage other students to wear it as well.”

Representatives from S.C. Works visited the USCA LIFE Program on Wed., Oct. 29, to help students prepare for the workforce. The visit gave students the chance to take part in workshops led by state workforce experts, focusing on essential job readiness skills such as resume writing and interview preparation. S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce Executive Director William Floyd and Commissioner Felicia Johnson of the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department (SCVRD), met with students to discuss college life, career goals and the value of developing job readiness and essential skills. “Tomorrow’s workforce is very important for South Carolina,” said Floyd. “Our workforce includes everyone currently in school, including students in the USCA LIFE Program. As a partner in the SC Works system, our agency engages these future jobseekers through workshops, such as the one they are conducting today, to connect the work in the classroom with skills that will help them find a job.” Johnson added, “At SCVRD, we help individuals with disabilities reach their employment goals through counseling, financial assistance, and ongoing support.” Dr. Melissa Martin, director of the USCA LIFE Program, emphasized the importance of these collaborations. “Our program has an emphasis on employment readiness as only about 18% of individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities are employed after K-12 schools,” she said. “Partnering with existing agencies from around the region and state helps connect our students to meaningful support and services beyond our program that they could tap into after they graduate.” First-year student Marissa Forger shared that she enjoyed the workshops and appreciated learning about job opportunities from the team. Looking ahead, DEW is planning a job fair for Spring 2026 to link LIFE students with potential employers across the region. “SCVRD also routinely provides tuition assistance to our students who are VRD clients to provide financial support for to college,” Martin added. Click here to watch a recap from the DEW’s visit with USCA LIFE students.

The Sertoma Club of Aiken donated some of the proceeds from its inaugural ball drop fundraiser to student scholarships at USCA. “The students we help support are pursuing their dreams, and we want to impact their journey and make sure that they’re able to learn and grow and become the leaders they want to be,” said Noah Martel, who chaired the event. The ball drop generated money for the USCA LIFE program. Through USCA LIFE (Learning is For Everyone), students with intellectual disabilities experience college life, which includes on- and off-campus employment and extracurricular activities. Scholarships, like the ones awarded by Sertoma, make college affordable for LIFE students who become fully immersed and engaged in the college community. Sertoma has been generous in its support of USCA. In 2018, the club outfitted the Etherredge Center with an inductive hearing loop system, which enhances experiences for hearing impaired patrons. With more than 3,000 feet of copper wires woven throughout the venue, regardless of where patrons sit, they will hear audio from performances. Don Bartelmay, former international president of Sertoma, Inc., said every seat in the Etherredge Center was tested. “I love the university,” he said. “It means so much to our community, to our state and to our future.  “All the money coming in from the ball drop will make a difference.” The organization has also donated money to the athletic department, evidenced by a sign hanging in the Convocation Center.  “The Aiken Sertoma Club has been a longtime supporter of the university and its athletics program. Furthermore, we feel that the USCA LIFE initiative aligns tremendously with our local chapter’s values and the Sertoma International mission statement,” Martel said. Pacer Athletics teamed up with Sertoma for the ball drop, which involved a helicopter dropping 600 golf balls into the Roberto Hernandez Baseball Stadium mid-November. The ball closest to a marked target on the field won $10,000. The university’s athletic department and Woodside Country Club worked with Sertoma, making the event possible. Callaway donated all the golf balls, which, after the drop, were given to the First Tee of Aiken, a youth program that teaches the fundamentals of golf. The program’s 9-hole course, Chalk Mine 9, is located on the university campus. "USCA athletics is proud to co-sponsor the helicopter ball drop fundraiser with the Sertoma Club of Aiken. The Sertoma Club has been a strong supporter of USCA Life and positive advocate of the Pacer athletic programs,” said Todd Wilkinson, USCA athletic director. The organization hopes to extend its support by partnering with USCA LIFE to form a collegiate chapter of Sertoma Club. 

Students from the USCA LIFE program took part in Celebrity Employee Day on Oct. 18, a community-driven event aimed at raising funds for the USCA LIFE Scholarship Fund. Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to greet customers and assist with various job duties assigned by store owners and managers, gaining valuable real-world experience in a fun and supportive environment. Each participating business generously pledged a portion of their sales during the students’ shifts to benefit the scholarship fund. Read more on how invaluable this experience was for the program's students.