On the fourth floor in Davis Hall, there is a hidden gem called Experience VU.
Since 2015, Experience VU has been helping students with disabilities thrive in college. The mission of Experience VU is to provide one-on-one service to students with disabilities, paving the way for them to graduate and, perhaps, move on to a four-year university. The program looks to provide guidance to students on everything from finances to social interaction.
“In order to be in our program, you have to have some sort of disability,“ said educational coach Rebecca Roach.
However, Experience VU focuses on ability, rather than solely on disability. The staff does its best to make students feel welcome.
“No matter anyone’s challenges, no matter how their brain works, there’s a way people can learn,” said Experience VU Director Katie Deckard.
“They just need a place to belong,” added Roach.
It is not only the students who love the Experience VU setting; the tutors do as well.
“I love the atmosphere. I love working with students and math. Then I also love working with the tutors I work with. I love working for the people who are in charge of the program,” said math tutor Jane Carrie.
Experience VU tutors say they are delighted to help students with their academic needs, even extending individual accommodations when necessary. And some students need help with things beyond their academics, like figuring out how to navigate college life because “college, especially for freshmen and sophomores, can be a big, wide world and complex when they are away from their parents,” said Carrie.
Experience VU also offers students other amenities, such as free printing, a sensory-friendly lounge, and workshops that cover subjects like living on campus, preparing for the workforce, and other elements of succeeding in college. They even help students learn how to destress from academic challenges.
“Sometimes students do puzzles or color,” said Carrie.
And most students give the program glowing reviews.
“It’s a community. It’s like a family up here, and you don’t have to worry about anyone,” said conservation law and Experience VU student Trey Baker.
Experience VU has grown, and will likely continue to evolve, due to Deckard’s leadership.
“It was very small when I first started about two and a half years ago. We had a new director, and her focus was to bring in as many students as we could to help and to build up this program,” said Carrie.
For more information, visit https://www.vinu.edu/experience-vu.html.
