UD President Dennis Assanis (left), JPMorgan Chase’s James Mahoney (center) and CDS’s Brian Freedman at the launch of Spectrum Scholars.

When the University of Delaware’s Spectrum Scholars college-to-career program for students with autism launched in September 2018, President Dennis Assanis noted that it personifies the university’s goal of “inclusive excellence,” which is all about “leading every student to success, both in and out of the classroom.”

The program, designed by CDS and supported by a $7.5 million investment over 10 years from JPMorgan Chase, seeks to do exactly that for its autistic students majoring primarily in computer science and electrical engineering by giving them supports and opportunities designed to “level the playing field,” says CDS Associate Director Brian Freedman.

“For all their impressive abilities,” Freedman said at the program’s launch, “students on the autism spectrum often struggle in college and in making the transition to work.” Since the launch, Freedman and his Spectrum Scholars team have helped the program’s students overcome those challenges by coaching them in executive functioning skills, communication strategies and independent living skills. Faculty liaisons provide them with individualized advice. Before they graduate, the students will receive career development preparation, including mentoring, job site visits and business internships. For some, that preparation will be at JPMorgan Chase.

“We’ve seen the promise and talent of individuals with autism, and we’ve seen great business results,” said James Mahoney, head of Global Technology & Inclusion at JPMorgan Chase. The company’s Autism at Work program provides moderate accommodations to JPMC’s more than 100 individuals who identify on the spectrum and educates neurotypical coworkers in effective communication strategies. “We do this,” Mahoney said, “because it’s the right thing to do; … to help a community which will benefit by well-fitting positions.”

The Spectrum Scholars program also encourages the community to support and appreciate students with autism by offering trainings and consultations to other students, faculty, campus staff and employers. Early results are encouraging. At a session held for UD resident assistants, Corey Moore said the training will help him be “more empathetic and understanding.”

Such an embrace and support of students with autism, on campus and off, is what the program’s planners had in mind. Spectrum Scholars signals to autistic students, notes one of the planners – Sam Rosenthal, herself an autistic UD student – “We believe you are capable of success.”