Program Overview -

Quick Links

Academics

Next Steps at Vanderbilt is committed to integrating students with intellectual disability in all aspects of the university and the surrounding community. Students will self-direct the development of their program of study through initial and ongoing person-centered planning activities. The program of study is a customized plan for achievement in academic areas, independent livings skills, career development, and university life. Although Next Steps students work toward completing an individual program of study, they must also complete the program to earn a Career and Community Studies certificate on completion. Opportunities will be available to earn microcredentials through digital badging and to pursue a registered apprenticeship program to earn an industry-recognized credential.

Vanderbilt University Courses

Each program of study includes students auditing two Vanderbilt University courses per semester as determined by students' individualized interests in connection to their academic and career goals and person-centered planning. Students will complete a liberal core education aligned to the Vanderbilt undergraduate program of study as well as a focused academic pathway. Students are held accountable and supported in their learning objectives through individual learning agreements. These learning agreements detail the assignments, academic supports needed, and expectations based on the student. Learning goals are based on key concepts that are critical to each respective class as noted in the course syllabus and on goals identified for each student in the Next Steps program.
Next Steps Courses

During the first-year and sophomore years, students enroll in foundational Next Steps courses (NEXT) that focus on skill development that is essential for living an independent life. Juniors and seniors self-select the topic of their independent study, experiential seminar. Seniors self-select a topic for their capstone experience, connecting to their career and post-graduation goals. Under the supervision of their advisors and with the support of individual tutors, students co-create and complete experiential learning objectives that are designed to build mastery on such topics as civic engagement, requesting accommodations in the workplace, using public transportation and more.
Pathways
Pathways within Next Steps offer students the opportunity to further focus their academic and career pursuits through experiential learning, internships and apprenticeships, and specified coursework.
- Self-Advocacy in Leadership (SAIL): This concentration aims to empower Next Steps students to become effective self-advocates and leaders in their lives and communities. They will earn a SAIL credential through 900 Hours of leadership development opportunities across four years. Coursework includes public speaking, advocacy, leadership and global studies. Internship experiences include those at local or state government or Vanderbilt leadership offices. Service, leadership, public speaking and advocacy hours are required in addition to class and internship experiences.
Digital Badging

Self-Advocacy in Leadership (SAIL): This digital badge will be awarded to students in Next Steps who have demonstrated effective self-advocacy and leadership skills and experiences throughout their time at Vanderbilt. Required service, leadership, public speaking and advocacy hours are required in addition to class and internship experiences to earn this digital badge. The SAIL program was developed through funding by the Tennessee Department Disability and Aging through its Tennessee Believes Grant (2022-2025).

Career Development

Next Steps at Vanderbilt prepares students to develop the skills, experiences, and self-advocacy necessary for paid employment upon graduation. The program designs experiences around the National Association of Colleges and Employer’s Career Readiness standards. These include skills such as: problem solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, technology use, professionalism, self-development, and equity and inclusion.

Watch as Ben Ellis (Class of 2023) shares how his experiences prepared him for his job at Long Hunter State Park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=7NhuGlbMUak&feature=youtu.be

Career Exploration
In their first semester, first year students are encouraged to explore different career industries and jobs through job shadowing, job sampling, informational interviews, career assessments and workshops, and industry tours. The goal is for students to:
- Learn about their strengths and skills
- Discover jobs that match their interests, strengths, and skills, and
- Begin developing professionalism and communication in work settings
Example Partners Include: The Country Music Hall of Fame, Vanderbilt Student Media, Mama Lere Hearing School, Vanderbilt Recreation & Wellness Center and the Tennessee Governor’s Office
Toward the end of the semester, students choose one industry to research. They learn about the industry and specific jobs in the field, complete an informational interview with someone in the industry, and create a path for the rest of their time in college as if they wanted to work in that field when they graduate.
Campus Internships

First year and sophomore students complete on-campus internships at a variety of campus partners. Students are encouraged to try different opportunities and begin narrowing down and identifying their career interests and employment goals for after graduation.
Example Partners Include: Vanderbilt Campus Libraries, Campus Dining, IT, Athletics Marketing, and The Wond’ry
Community Internships, Employment, and Apprenticeships

Junior and senior students are encouraged to refine their career interests and employment goal for after graduation. These experiences are individualized to best meet their goals. Students may complete internships with businesses in the greater Nashville area, work part-time jobs on-campus or in the community, or complete registered apprenticeship programs in their career field.
Example Partners Include: TN State Government, Tennessee Titans, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the Green Hills YMCA, and Sewing Down South.
Pre-Apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships
Next Steps at Vanderbilt is currently expanding its Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). Registered apprenticeships are a career pathway that offer related instruction, paid on-the-job learning, mentorship, and a Department of Labor credential upon completion of the RAP.
Juniors in Next Steps can apply, interview, and enroll in a Pre-Registered Apprenticeship program, which prepares them for their senior year.
Seniors can then complete a Registered Apprenticeship and earn an industry-specific credential.
Currently, Next Steps offers an Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship at The Acorn School and Susan Gray School. Next Steps will begin offering a K-8 Teacher Aide Apprenticeship at St. Bernard Academy.
More information below highlights the type of work each apprenticeship prepares students for.
- Early Childhood Educator (ECE): This apprenticeship teaches you how to work at a preschool and teach and care for young children.
- Kindergarten – 8th Grade (K-8) Teacher Aide: This apprenticeship teaches you how to work in an elementary or middle school, assist teachers in the classroom, and prepare classroom materials and supplies.
Additional Registered Apprenticeship Programs will be developed in the Public Sector, Hospitality, Healthcare, and Information Technology industries.
Student Outcomes

Upon graduation, the goal is for students to have identified a career goal and gained experience related to their goals. Students are also expected to demonstrate growth in their career readiness skills. Next Steps prepares students for finding and maintaining employment by following a student-led approach, with students leading each step of their internship, job, and apprenticeship searches.
Program staff and university resources work with students throughout their senior year to begin their employment search. When students graduate, staff will support students to connect with community resources to further aid in their search or new job, as needed.

Campus Life

Vanderbilt University students join a diverse and vibrant community. Students have the opportunity to engage in campus life through student organizations, service and leadership opportunities, and college events and activities. Next Steps at Vanderbilt uses natural peer supports to help students connect with their interests, increase their personal skills, and develop relationships to make meaningful contributions as members of campus.

Clubs and Organizations

Being engaged in campus life exposes students to new people, ideas, cultures, and more; it's a chance to develop both personally and professionally. As such, Next Steps encourages students to explore the 500+ plus campus life opportunities in which they become interested. Students enrolled in Next Steps have access to nearly all student organizations, along with the campus offices and services offered to Vanderbilt students. Examples of campus life opportunities that students have participated in include intramurals, Greek Life, Multicultural Leadership Council, Student Government, Best Buddies, Special Olympics, special interest groups such as Anime Club and Vandy Writes, and so much more! New students also participate in Vanderbilt Visions and Common VU Orientation with all other new Vanderbilt students in their first semester.
Peer Mentors (Ambassa'Dores)
Next Steps peer mentors, known as Ambassa’Dores, are undergraduate who establish one-on-one relationships with students enrolled through Next Steps. These relationships facilitate the inclusion of our students in the campus community and provide an opportunity for reciprocal learning between diverse groups.
- The Ambassa'Dores were established as an official student organization in 2013. The Next Steps Ambassa'Dore organization increases awareness and inclusivity of the Next Steps program throughout the university.
- Circles of Support - Each student has an individualized number of Ambassa'Dores who make up their circle of support. Circle members and the student work together to promote growth throughout the semester. Each circle has a Lead Ambassa'Dore who facilitates communication among the circle, collaborates with Next Steps staff, and works with the Next Steps student to organize at least one circle social event during the semester.
- Roles of Ambassa’dores include:
  - Academic tutors - assist students with academic work and support academic habits
  - Daily planners - focus on organizational skills and completion of Next Steps program requirements
  - Lunch partners - focus on social connection and exploring healthy eating options
  - Workout partners - help to increase stamina and establish safe exercise habits
  - Campus Life Ambassa'Dores (CLA) - plan alongside students and participate in campus life opportunities together (e.g. football game, service project)
- To apply to be an Ambassa’dore, reach out on Instagram or Anchor Link.

Email: NextSteps@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: 1-615-322-3978