My Place Program Events
One-on-One Meetings
Each student is required to meet for a one-hour meeting with an assigned mentor, no matter what level of the program they are enrolled in. These mentors are either Kutztown University DSO/My Place employees or graduate students employed by the My Place Program while they complete their degree requirements. Each mentor has a history of working with students with disabilities and has been trained to best assist the students with the problems and struggles they bring to their one-on-one meetings.
Though students are encouraged to come to their meetings with questions about homework, daily living, socializing, academics, or other factions of college life, mentors also have a wide array of resources available to help their mentees grow in the areas of executive function skills related to academics, career development, social skills, and independent college living to align with the program goals. We also recommend that all students share their current grades with their mentor so that we can have an idea of how they are doing in their classes and potentially identify any problems.
Mentors also encourage students to better connect to campus by helping them find clubs and other campus-run activities that align with their interests and by assisting students in finding on- or off-campus employment if they desire to do so.
Meals
Group meals are scheduled to take place throughout the week, with options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This allows students to eat together with other students that they know through the program, as well as one of our staff members. Conversation is mostly facilitated by the students and can include anything from superhero movies to families to classes and other campus events. This proves to be a time when students can get to know others who share some of the same struggles and hardships in their everyday lives, as well as a safe space to discuss topics related to their shared diagnosis of autism.
We do our best to offer at least one sensory-reduced meal per week, where we eat in quieter space near the dining hall; students may be required to order take-out to dine with us for these events. The sensory-reduced meals are noted as such on the weekly schedule given to all students at the beginning of each semester.
Study Hall
Students at both the residential and commuter levels of the program are required to take advantage of our study hall, which is open to students in the My Place Resource Center, Old Main 04, Monday through Friday during the academic year.
These study halls allow students to work on projects and assignments in a sensory- and distraction-reduced space where a mentor will be available to ask questions if they get confused. Scheduled time for studying and working on assignments outside of your residence hall are first recommendations made to students who struggle with time management. Students are also encouraged to use this time to make appointments for other academic services offered through Kutztown University, such as the University Writing Center and tutoring services.
Social Activities
At least one a week, the My Place Program facilitates a social activity that allows students another opportunity to meet and spend time with other students in the program. The limits of these activities are endless and can be anything from playing board games or studying to walking down Main Street in Kutztown to buy ice cream from Pop’s Malt shop or going to see a movie together.
Soft Skills Group
This group will help students learn how to engage with others in a professional and courteous manner, in both college and workplace settings. Weekly lessons will alternate between presentation and discussion about the topic and an activity that helps you apply what they learned. Weekly soft skills group is required for all students at the Gold Level.
Possible topics include: Communication, Enthusiasm / Attitude, Teamwork, Networking, or Problem Solving / Critical Thinking.
Weekly Goals Groups
Students at both the Gold and Maroon Levels of the program will choose the topic that is most interesting / that best meets their goals: ​
- I want better grades ​
- I want to learn more about relationships ​
- I want to make friends​
- I want to get a job when I graduate​ (transfers and upperclassmen only; required for Silver Level)
Meeting times will be determined based on student availability. Each Goals Group meets in-person 5 times per semester. Between each in-person meeting, students will have an objective to complete.
Workshops
Throughout the semester, staff from the My Place Program lead students in a workshop related to topics that are of interest, attendance at which counts towards a student's My Place Program requirements. These workshops can be related to communication skills, like boundaries, speed friendshipping (like speed dating), or relationship nuances; about academic skills, like reading a syllabus, effective study habits, or time management; or personal interests, like coffee tasting, cooking a simple meal, or doing yoga.
Excursions
A few times a semester, students who are active in the program are invited to leave campus with us as a group. The specific activities that happen during these times vary, but have included apple picking, attending a minor league hockey game, and visiting an escape room in nearby West Reading. Students are encouraged to spend time with each other during these excursions, but for certain activities they can also choose to spend time alone, if they would prefer.
Career Development
A large priority of our program is to prepare our students for employment after college. Because of this, we require students to complete certain career-oriented tasks depending on what year they are in, including creating a resume, attending events held by the Career Development Center, and participating in an informational interview with someone who works in their field of interest. We also try to schedule a visit to at least one neurodiversity-supporting company in the area per academic year, where students can get a better feel of what a real workplace can be like. (Please note: while we can assist students through interview prep and job searching, if they request it, the My Place Program is not able to facilitate on-site job coaching or live interview assistance. Our goal is to support our students in building the skills that will make successful interviewing and getting a job possible by the time they graduate, if not before!)