TOPS students participate in a networking event at the TopGolf practice range.Credit: Emily Demooy
Transition Options in Post-Secondary Settings, commonly known as TOPS, is committed to assisting students with disabilities in developing career paths.
TOPS is a two- to four-year workplace development certificate program for Ohio State students with intellectual and developmental disabilities that allows students to take college courses, become part of the on-campus social community, and pursue jobs and internships. We provide a space for you to gain experience and live your life. Independently.
Jesse Green, research assistant professor at the Nisonger Center, the program that oversees TOPS, said the ultimate goal is to be employed in the community after graduation.
“We are looking at opportunities for students to gain undergraduate experience with the additional support the program provides,” Green said.
This semester, Professor Green said four of the 27 students enrolled have graduated, and 13 more will enroll in the fall.
“We actually want to expand a little bit to increase the size of the program,” Green said.
TOPS offers resources to help students discover and explore their interests in hopes of connecting them to future careers, including courses focused on topics such as self and career exploration, budgeting, and time management. and classes.
Students can also take courses from the Ohio State course catalog. Green said Ohio State has more than 300 different courses in his catalog that students have taken over the years.
“We're always adding courses that students are like, 'This is interesting,'” Green said.
Krista Louden, a first-year student in the program, said she originally had no plans to attend college until she heard about TOPS. Rhoden said the program allowed her to explore her interests, made her part of the Ohio State community and taught her important skills.
“If it wasn't for the TOPS program, I wouldn't have even been able to get into college,” Roden said.
Roden said she is taking classes to help her find her interests, motivation, stress and time management. She also participates in her TOPS community service event and volunteers at the Buckeye Food Alliance's student-run food pantry.
“I don’t think I would have had this opportunity otherwise,” Lowden said of her involvement on campus.
Lowden is also a member of RallyCap Sports, a student organization that provides spaces for people with special needs to play sports.
“It's really great to have the opportunity,” Rhoden said. “It helps me learn to interact more socially.”
Colin Batten, another year in the TOPS program, said while he enjoyed his experience at Ohio State, there was one part in particular that stood out to him. It was about learning what it means to be a Buckeye.
Batten said that means helping build community on campus by becoming a member of a student organization.
For Batten, the most influential thing about being at Ohio State was “being involved in the various clubs on campus.”
He is the founder of Block O, the official student arm of athletic events, Buckeye Buddies, which promotes inclusivity through sports, Ohio State Friendship Circle, which provides a positive space for children with developmental disabilities, and the nonprofit Best Buddies, among others. Member of several groups. Fostering friendships between people with and without disabilities.
Green said that when choosing from this growing catalog of classes, students work with their instructors to develop a path to completing the courses that are right for them. The program offers ways to help students demonstrate what they have learned in their courses, such as shortening the length of papers for TOPS students or finding alternative exam formats for students with exam anxiety. accommodations are also provided.
Green said many of the courses TOPS students take are audited, meaning they are not taken for grading purposes, but this is done so they can make changes to their coursework. said.
“The first thing we expect is that they complete all assignments as if they were taking the course for credit,” Green said.
While there are more than 320 other comprehensive higher education programs like TOPS across the country, TOPS is special because it focuses on the wants and needs of students, Green said. Policies such as the lack of inclusive housing options for TOPS students and GPA requirements to participate in Greek life can prevent students from participating in The Ohio State University's collaborative opportunities. Green said students will work with administrators to come up with creative solutions. Support TOPS students.
Green said one of the most successful examples of this is TOPS' efforts to provide comprehensive on-campus housing options for students. We were finally able to offer that option in 2021 and are currently working on getting students involved in Greek life.
“They live in housing alongside other students at the university,” Green said. “We would love to expand because there is so much more interest than the beds we currently have.”
The program also has undergraduate mentors who provide a variety of services to TOPS students. Student mentors serve as educational coaches who accompany and support students in their classes and studies. Instructor in the Productivity Lab in McCampbell Hall. She can also work with students in TOPS-only classes or as a social coach who facilitates social events with TOPS students, Green said.
“We rely a lot on our leaders,” Green said. “We don't want it to be a token friendship. But our students and mentors often develop friendships that go beyond the mentorship element.”
Sally Stois, a first-year psychology student, said she has been a productivity lab instructor and social coach since January. He said that on a typical day, he works with two to six students on various tasks such as human resources development and the job application process.
“I love it. It's one of my favorite parts of the day,” Stois said.
Stois said he worked with five students to plan a trip to the First Watch restaurant as a social event. He said this was a rewarding experience as he was able to build relationships with TOPS students outside of the classroom.
“We can talk about things other than work,” he said. “Talk about our real lives, our goals, and what they want.”
He said the experience fueled his career aspirations.
“Now that I'm involved, I plan to return to my hometown and work with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities,” Stois said.
