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The College of Education’s Think Beach program received statewide recognition and a $5,000 award Friday for its pioneering efforts to extend a college-going experience to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Representatives from the California Department of Education and the statewide SELPA Administrators of California presented the check during a campus visit that highlighted Think Beach’s success in creating a model of inclusion and belonging within higher education. 

The donation will support the program’s ongoing work to expand opportunities and community for its students.

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Administrators are still determining how to use the money; a community garden on campus is a possibility.

“This program stands as a beacon of innovation and hope — not only in Long Beach, but across California and the country,” said Rachel Heenan, director of special education for the California Department of Education. 

Speaking on behalf of State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, Heenan praised Cal State Long Beach for “pushing the boundaries” of what inclusive college education can look like. 

“The Think Beach program represents more than just a college pathway...” she continued. “It represents belonging. It represents a belief that students with all abilities deserve the same opportunities to learn, to grow and to experience college life like every other student in the nation, and it reminds us that inclusion is not just an initiative, but it's our responsibility.”

The Think Beach program offers students with intellectual and developmental disabilities the chance to take college classes, build career skills, and participate in campus life. 

Now in its third year, Think Beach saw its first group of graduates — four of them — complete the two-year certificate program in May. There are five students in the program now and two to three more are expected to join in the spring.

Think Beach has been a passion project of Professor Kristin Powers and Associate Professor Kelli Sanderson of the college’s Advanced Studies in Education and Counseling Department. Their goal is to see it become — or join — a center with dedicated staff who can sustain and grow the initiative long-term.

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The effort got a boost in October when the state’s California Center for Inclusive College awarded the program $75,000 to hire a program coordinator.

The , representing 136 regional special education local plan areas statewide, presented the $5,000 check as part of its initiative to “give back to programs that are making it happen for students,” said Scott Turner, executive director of the San Gabriel Valley SELPA.

Turner said similar awards have supported UC Davis’ SEEDS initiative and Special Olympics, emphasizing Think Beach’s place among California’s most impactful inclusion efforts.

“We'd love to be back in a future year and continue to see the success of this program,” Turner said.