Welcome to STAIRs

Skills Training, Advancement and Individual Readiness

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The STAIRs (Skills Training, Advancement and Individual Readiness) Program at Mitchell supports a kaleidoscope of learners as they transition from college into the workforce or pursuit of an advanced degree. The program was developed in response to the increasing need to support students who need extra time to achieve emotional readiness, confidence, seek employment/start careers and reach personal goals. The program builds on the inclusive nature of the Mitchell College educational experience, offering recent college graduates additional guidance, tools and support for success in their next steps.

Mitchell Alumni and parents were instrumental in the conception of this program, highlighting the need for a post-graduate learning community with multiple levels of support to accommodate the unique needs of each individual, including those who are neurodivergent.

Transitioning from college to independence and gainful employment is not always easy. In today’s world, you have to know how to adapt to rapid change, function as a member of different communities and navigate social situations.

As part of a truly supportive cohort of young persons on a similar journey to realize their dreams, we prepare students to thrive in new and challenging environments. Participants benefit from:

- - Individualized Attention
  - Personal Exploration
  - Occupational and Research-based Skills Training
  - Social Embeddedness
  - Lifelong Connections

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The STAIRs program is designed with three areas of concentration:

1. AIM Basics — Independent Living and Life Skills
2. Career Intensive/Focused
3. Academic Exploration/Graduate School

All concentrations offer:

- - Skill Development Workshops
  - Career Prep and Job Discovery
  - Experiential Learning
  - Community Connections and Experiences (Cohort Development)

Program Terminology

Community Governance

The college-owned housing will be guided through a form of self-governance. The participants in the program will set the community guidelines and rules of the house under the guidance of the program coordinator and mentors.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to be aware of, manage, and express one’s emotions, and to negotiate interpersonal relationships thoughtfully and compassionately.

Financial Literacy

The possession of skills and knowledge that allows an individual to make informed and effective decisions with their finances including budgeting, managing debt, savings and investing.

Holistic Wellness

An approach to wellness that considers the whole person caring for the mind, body and spirit. It incorporates physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual wellness, as well as the individual’s environment.

Independent Living

The ability to exercise the greatest degree of choice about where one lives, works and socializes. It goes beyond living on one’s own, but is about self-determination and includes being employed in work that matched ones’ interests, capabilities and skills while having an active and safe social life.

Neurodivergent

There is an increasing awareness and understanding in our society that some people have brain differences that affect how their brain works. The term often used to capture these differences is neurodivergent. Neurodivergent individuals have different strengths, and challenges, from people whose brains don’t have those differences. Possible differences include medical disorders, learning disabilities and other conditions. Neurodivergence manifests in many different ways, from very subtle ways that most people would never notice to more obvious ways that lead to a person behaving differently than is considered “typical” in our society.

Service/Community Engagement

Working collaboratively with and through community groups or affiliations. This requires intentional interactions between program participants and the communities in which they live and work.

CONTACTS:

Program Questions
Dr. Alicia Martinez
Dean of Student Experience & Belonging/Chief Student Affairs Officer martinez_a@Mitchell.edu
Office: Duques 210

Housing Questions
Alexandria Donkor
Director of Residence Life and Student Conduct
donkor_a@Mitchell.edu
Office: Duques 211

CORE PROGRAM COMPONENTS

All students complete the AIM Basics program, which incorporates independent living, career readiness, social/interpersonal skills, and holistic wellness in a supportive environment with the ultimate goal of producing self-sufficient adults ready to pursue independence and sustain employment.

Once students have completed this foundational portion of the program, they have the option to select a program concentrating either on career readiness or graduate study. Below are the skill areas that will be developed through the program.

Independent Living

During Year 1, students live in a college-owned house located near, but not on, the Mitchell College campus. Second-year participants will move into local housing and commute to campus for workshops and community events.
Guided Community Governance/Self-Governance
Independent Living Skills/Workshops
Cooking classes resulting in preparation of community meals
Financial literacy and banking
Assistance identifying and applying for local apartments prior to Year 2

Career Readiness

Career Workshops: Resume writing, interview skills, Group Career Assessments, etc.
Employee Rights and Employment Accommodations
Service Learning

Social, Emotional & Interpersonal Skills Development

Workshops: Healthy Relationships, Care-frontation techniques, self-advocacy, growth mindset, etc.
Participation in local clubs and community organizations
Interaction with Mitchell College Students and Staff

Holistic Wellness

Nutrition and Wellness Activities
Personal Fitness Training/Self-Defense
Hygiene Practices
Healthy Relationships and Boundary setting

AIM BASICS PROGRAM: Sample Schedule

This schedule is provided as a sample only. Activities and times subject to change.

Monday/Wednesday
9:30am	Independent Living
Noon	Lunch
1:00pm	Career Exploration/Readiness
3:00pm	Fitness/Active Learning
5:00pm	Dinner
Tuesday/Thursday
9:00am	Emotional Intelligence/Socioeconomic Learning
11:00am	Holistic Wellness Workshops/Cooking Basics
12:15pm	Lunch
1:30pm	Service/Community Engagement
4:00pm	Club/Group Activity
5:00pm	Dinner
Friday
9:00am	Financial Literacy /Critical Thinking
Noon	Lunch
1:00pm	Service Learning Reflective Exercise
3:30pm	Fitness/Active Learning
5:00pm	Dinner
7:00pm	Community Governance/Group Activity
Saturday/Sunday
	Grocery Shopping
	Recreational Events/Outings
	Spirituality/Religious Services (or practicing)

THE STAIRs HUBS

Students who have successfully met the benchmarks for the AIM Basics Program are able to transition into one of the STAIRs hubs:

Hub #1 — Career Intensive/Focused

Hub #2 — Academic Exploration/Graduate School

Descriptions of each of the hubs, along with sample schedules, are below.

Hub #1 — Career Intensive/Focused

In contrast to popular belief, finding a career that matches your skillset and that you love is not easy. It is a process that takes time and requires patience, self-awareness and some exploration. STAIRs’ Career Intensive Hub was developed to support students with diverse or undecided career goals through this process as they explore interests and passions while building the skills necessary to be successful in their chosen fields.

Program Stages

Career Exploration — Identify Areas of Interest and Capacity
Goal Setting and Workforce Preparation
Internship/Employment Search and Application
Universal Technical and Soft Skills Training

Benchmarks

Baseline Competencies
Targets
Final Assessment

Career Intensive Sample Schedule

This schedule is provided as a sample only. Activities and times subject to change.

Monday/Wednesday		Monday/Wednesday
8:30am	Group Check-in/Advising	8:30am	Group Check-in/Advising
9:00am–1:00pm	Work/Internship	9:00am–Noon	Work-Based Skills Lab
1:30pm	Lunch	12:30pm	Lunch
2:30–5:30pm	Work-Based Skills lab	1:30–5:30pm	Work/Internship
6:00pm	Dinner	6:00pm	Dinner
Tuesday/Thursday		Tuesday/Thursday
8:30am	Group Check-in/Advising	8:30am	Group Check-in/Advising
9:00am–1:00pm	Work/Internship	9:00am–Noon	Career Seminars/Service
1:30pm	Lunch	12:30pm	Lunch
2:30–5:30pm	Career Seminars/Service	1:30–5:30pm	Work/Internship
6:00pm	Dinner	6:00pm	Dinner
7:00pm	Club/Group Activity	7:00pm	Club/Group Activity
Friday		Friday
9:00am	Financial Literacy	9:00am	Financial Literacy
Noon	Lunch	Noon	Lunch
1:00pm	Service/Internship Reflective Exercise	1:00pm	Service/Internship Reflective Exercise
3:30pm	Fitness/Active Learning	3:30pm	Fitness/Active Learning
5:00pm	Dinner	5:00pm	Dinner
7:00pm	Community Governance/Group Activity	7:00pm	Community Governance/Group Activity
Saturday/Sunday		Saturday/Sunday
	Grocery Shopping		Grocery Shopping
	Recreation Events/Outings		Recreation Events/Outings

Hub #2 — Academic Exploration/Graduate School

The Graduate School preparedness hub will support students with a bachelor’s degree as they create effective application packets for graduate programs of their choosing, and provides students with opportunities to grow and practice the skills they will need for success in their graduate education.

Program Stages

1. 1. Academic Skills Development — Develop the Skills Needed to Succeed in Graduate School
  2. Program Identification & Exploration — Find Appropriate Programs for Particular Career and Academic Goals
  3. Application Preparation — Develop Effective Graduate School Applications
  4. Graduate Program Exploration

Benchmarks

Passion for the subject area or field in your chosen graduate course of study
Ability to successfully complete a graduate program
Reason for attending graduate school in a certain field; understanding of how graduate study will help achieve your goal

Outputs

Demonstrate Readiness Skills
Identify Graduate Program(s)
Prepare for Application

Academic Exploration: Sample Schedule

This schedule is provided as a sample only. Activities and times subject to change.

Monday/Wednesday
9:30am–12:30pm	TBD
1:00pm	Lunch
2:30–5:30pm	TBD
6:00pm	Dinner
Tuesday/Thursday
9:00am	TBD
11:00am	TBD
12:15pm	Lunch
1:30pm	Academic Skills Lab
4:00pm	Club/Group Activity
5:00pm	Dinner
Friday
9:00am	Financial Literacy; Student loan repayment, graduate expenses, etc.
Noon	Lunch
1:00pm	Service/Internship Reflective Exercise
3:30pm	Fitness/Active Learning
5:00pm	Dinner
7:00pm	Community Governance/Group Activity
Saturday/Sunday
	Grocery Shopping
	Recreational Events/Outings

How to Apply

It is recommended that students and families attend a virtual open house and consider scheduling an in-person visit prior to applying.

STEP 1: Complete Application Form

Applicants must complete and submit the 2023–2024 STAIRs Application for Admission. Acceptances will be sent out on a rolling basis (by mail, by email?).

STEP 2: Complete Interview

Eligible applicants will be invited to attend a virtual interview with the admissions review committee to confirm fit/eligibility for the program.

Deadlines

Fall 2023 Start—Currently accepting applications.

Program Admission

To be eligible for the STAIRs program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Has basic mathematics understanding; can use a calculator
Can utilize technology (cell phone, laptop, etc.) on a basic level
Primary disability must be cognitive, not behavioral or emotional
Has the ability to independently self-administer and manage medication, specialized dietary, and/or medical needs
Note: STAIRs personnel are not available to manage/administer medication and take no responsibility for specialized diets or medical needs.
Has parents/support system who will support his/her independence

Program Cost

12-month Program Fee = $25,000

Housing (Year 1) = $10,000*
Includes furnished room, utilities and other amenities.

Meal Plan = Varies**

Activities Fee = $1,500

Total Year 1 = $36,500
Total Year 2 = $26,500

* Year 2 housing is optional; no residency requirement.
** Costs are determined by selected meal plan. Meals served in Dining Hall during regular hall hours. NOTE: Dining Hall is closed during certain holidays and breaks.

HOUSING

Overview

Throughout the STAIRs program, participants benefit from being in a community environment. The program’s central location in a residential New London neighborhood — just blocks from Mitchell College and other amenities — offers a wide range of experiences and opportunities for learning to live independently in a small city rich with resources:

Recreational/Excercise Activities
Diverse Natural Environments (Mitchell beach, Mitchell woods, public beaches and parks)
Downtown New London: dining, shopping, entertainment, historic and cultural landmarks

As part of a close cohort, students gain skills and confidence through the structural design of the program:

Guided Community Governance/Self-Governance
Hub Communities
Community Library
Skills Development Center

YEAR 1: AIM Basics — Residency Required

The residential experience in Year 1 is an important part of the AIM Basics program, giving participants the experience of living and learning as part of a “family” style community.

Single- and double-room occupancy options
Community kitchen and social lounge

Year 2: Option to Live Off-site

After particpants have completed the AIM Basics program they are encouraged to move into a more independent living situation in New London or the surrounding area.

Eastwinds, home base for STAIRs, is located in a charming historic home in a quiet residential neighborhood on the banks of the Thames River in New London, CT.