Raven Scholars Program
Serving Students on the Autism Spectrum
The Raven Scholars program is an individualized, supported-transition program for University of Idaho students on the Autism Spectrum. This award-winning program was founded in 2011 with seed funds generously donated by Tom Alberg and Judi Beck of The Raven Trust. This free, donations-based program has gained institutional support from U of I. The program launched a Tiered Service Model in fall 2022 in order to serve more students, which was very successful. We served 74 students in the 2023-24 year. Raven Scholars has an average perseverance rate of over 85%, since 2016 ! We anticipate the program will grow as we continue to improve our services and student outcomes. Please see more on our program model below.
Although we have received a commitment of U of I funding for base operating expenses, that does not leave funding for programming activities and events. These programming experiences are a hallmark of the Raven Scholars program and necessary to build social skills and a sense of community. Your generous gift will directly fund student activities to create inclusive and meaningful experiences for neurodiverse students at University of Idaho. Please consider donating today!
About Us
The Raven Scholars program supports University of Idaho students who are on the autism spectrum by providing coordination of campus services, peer mentoring, social and life skills coaching, supported decision making and strategies to improve academic, social and life skills.
The Raven Scholars program will be an exemplification of how to empower individuals on the autism spectrum to reach their academic performance goals, develop strong self-advocacy skills and prepare for meaningful careers.
The Raven Scholars program embraces values that support the university’s strategic planning and goals. We value:
- Personal and institutional transformation
- Academic excellence
- Independence
- Diversity
- Inclusion
- Empowerment
- Empower program participants to achieve academic success and participate fully in the university experience.
- Provide insight, support and knowledge about autism to members of the campus community.
- Enrich the diversity of the campus culture through the inclusion of people who are on the autism spectrum.
- Encourage program participants to develop meaningful careers and make valuable contributions to their communities.
Program Model
All freshmen and transfer students start at Tier 1 or Tier 2. Our supported transition course, INTR 101-07, 09, Focus on Success, is required for all Tier 1 students. Waitlisted Tier 1 students may still enroll in INTR 101, and are strongly encouraged to do so.
Students may remain in Tier 1 through graduation, but most students are promoted to Tier 2 by their sophomore years and may remain in this tier throughout their college career. Others may ‘graduate’ to Tier 3 where they still have access to the community, but are not required to meet with program staff on a regular basis. Tier 3 students are eligible to apply for our Peer-Mentor Internship. All Tiers are invited to social monthly events, groups, workshops and may use the Activities or Sensory Space to access Peer-Mentor support (scheduled Monday-Friday, between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Peer-Mentors do not meet with students outside of their scheduled hours in the Activities Space.
All students have a Raven Scholars Advisor who will see early progress reports, midterms and other system indicators and staff will intervene. Raven Scholars is not intended to be academic advising and all students will have an academic advisor assigned by their college.
About the Program
Raven Scholars program overview presentation delivered to the Boise School District's Transition Fair in May 2021.
Tiered Services
Students in Tier 1 receive the following services:
- Planning meetings one to two times a week
- Maximum 90 minutes of 1:1 per week
- Freshmen required enrollment in INTR 101, Focus on Success
- Exceptions reviewed on a case-by-case basis
- Optional one-on-one social skills or academic coaching
- A customized action plan
- Program advocacy/mediation (as needed)
- An assigned Raven Scholars Advisor
- Invitations to monthly social events
- Access to Peer-Mentor support
- Access to the Raven Scholars Activities and Sensory Space
- Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Invitation to planned discussion groups
- Invitation to all Raven Scholars workshops
- Invitation to program Discord
- Accountability Agreement (if needed)
Students in Tier 2 receive the following services:
- Planning meetings two to four times a month
- Optional enrollment in INTR 101
- Optional one-on-one social skills or academic coaching
- A customized action plan
- Program advocacy/mediation
- An assigned Raven Scholars Advisor
- Invitations to monthly social events
- Access to Peer-Mentor support
- Access to the Raven Scholars Activities and Sensory Space
- Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Invitation to planned discussion groups
- Invitation to all Raven Scholars workshops
- Invitation to program Discord
- Invitation to planned discussion groups
- Invitation to all Raven Scholars workshops
Students requiring an Accountability Agreement and/or more support may be re-assigned to Tier 1 until those supports are no longer needed.
Students in Tier 3 receive the following services:
- Optional monthly planning meetings (or may request to meet as needed)
- Optional customized action plan
- Program advocacy
- An assigned Raven Scholars Advisor
- Invitations to monthly social events
- Access to Peer-Mentor support
- Access to the Raven Scholars Activities and Sensory Space
- Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Invitation to planned discussion groups
- Invitation to all Raven Scholars workshops
- Invitation to program Discord
- May apply for Peer-Mentor internship
Freshmen and students requiring more support will default to Tier 2 or Tier 1, respectively, and may be subject to a waitlist.
How to Participate:
Explore: Students who would like to learn more about the University of Idaho and participation in the Raven Scholars program are welcome to contact us and arrange a visit in-person or through Zoom. Email Raven Scholars Associate Director, Leslie Gwartney, at leslieag@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-9107. You're also encouraged to view our FAQ page.
Enroll: Focus on Success, INTR 101 is a 2 credit course designed for neurodivergent individuals to aid in developing executive functioning (organization, time management, etc.), and life or social skills. This class offers education on the resources available to students at U of I, in addition to teaching on soft and independent living skills vital for college success. The class can be taken for multiple semesters, up to six credits total. This course is a great way to help students develop strong habits early on and freshmen with executive functioning issues or disabilities are strongly encouraged to enroll. This class is open to all University of Idaho students; contact the program staff at ravenscholars@uidaho.edu to gain an example syllabus and typical schedule.
Apply: Submit an application using our online form. Email Raven Scholars staff at ravenscholars@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-9107 if you have any questions. Eligible applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis and assigned to either Tier 1 or Tier 2 services respectively (depending on individual needs and the capacity of the program). When Tier 1 or 2 enrollment is full, students will be waitlisted.
Waitlisted Applicants: When a spot on the waitlist for Tier 1 or 2 opens, the first-come, first-serve policy will come into effect. The first individual on the waitlist is determined by date of application received, and current status of enrollment at U of I. An individual will be contacted via their @vandals.uidaho.edu email and will be given a two-week grace period to accept the spot before it is offered to the next student on the list. It is highly recommended you are regularly checking your U of I email while actively on the waitlist. We may also call as a courtesy, but if we have not heard from you before opening, it will be moved to the next waitlisted student. If you missed the grace period, please contact us to renew your application (you may need to reapply if too much time has passed since your initial application).
We cannot guarantee that a spot will open, so we want to be sure you’re aware of other U of I resources: Center for Disability Access and Resources, Academic Coaching, Tutoring, Student Support Services, Academic Peer Mentoring and the Counseling and Mental Health Center. You are still encouraged to register for INTR 101-07 or 101-09 (Fall 2024), Focus on Success. This course is intended to support time management and organization in addition to teaching soft skills like self-advocacy and conflict resolution.
