At USF St. Pete, UMatter students get the opportunity to shine

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As a longtime educator, the start of the fall semester is always a rewarding time. The University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus is so vibrant when students converge, ready for a new year of academic discovery. Plus I get to watch them unload a bevy of creative items for their dorm rooms – mini fridges, giant colorful comforters, loads of school supplies – all while decked out in school colors fresh from the bookstore!

There’s one group of students who never fail to delight me with their enthusiasm and school spirit. They are the participants in our Eileen Hoffman Hafer UMatter program, which provides students with different intellectual abilities the opportunity to live and learn at USF St. Petersburg.

Many of these students wouldn’t have the opportunity to attend college if it weren’t for UMatter. They soak up every moment – living in the residence halls, getting involved with on-campus clubs, attending class and studying their classwork.

Many also have on-campus jobs. One of the participants, Joseph, is working in my office this semester, helping to greet visitors and assisting members of my team with administrative work. It’s only been a few weeks, but Joseph is already making his mark with his good humor and strong work ethic.

The UMatter program was launched by the university’s College of Education in 2020 when it was awarded a $900,000 grant. It is the brainchild of Professor Lyman Dukes and Danielle Roberts-Dahm, who started the first cohort with a class of seven students.

“There has been this misperception that people with these disabilities do not have the aptitude to learn,” Dukes said. “But we now know, and the data clearly indicate that young people that participate in these types of programs are employed at much greater rates, earn higher salaries, live independently more often and have a better quality of life.”

The program got a significant boost in 2021 thanks to the generosity of Andrew and Eileen Hafer, who donated $1.2 million to help expand the program to all three USF campuses. In an interview with USF, Mrs. Hafer said she was drawn to the program because it promotes empathy and expands the diversity of our USF community.

I heartily agree. I’ve been a big supporter of programs like UMatter since my days as a dean at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, which is home to the Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth. This program similarly offers students with different intellectual abilities the opportunity to immerse themselves in college life. In fact, as dean of the school of hospitality, I worked closely with these students and witnessed firsthand the confidence and life skills the students gained during their time at Kennesaw.

According to a survey commissioned by the Special Olympics, only 44 percent of adults (age 21 to 64) with intellectual disabilities are in the labor force, compared to 83 percent without such disabilities.

Here at USF St. Petersburg we’re working to change that statistic. We will have 24 students in our UMatter program this fall. The program also has nearly 30 student mentors who help the participants by offering guidance on how to navigate their on-campus journey. Our student mentors are enrolled in degree programs ranging from Business to Art, and it’s great to see how they utilize the skills they learn as mentors in their specific disciplines.

It’s particularly rewarding to see how our St. Petersburg community embraces the program. In 2023, the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities (FCSUA) selected the Tampa Bay Rays as the recipient of their Inclusive Employer Award because of their collaboration with the UMatter program, in providing internships and employment opportunities, as well as valuable interviewing and planning experience.

I’m excited to see how far this program has come in such a short time. Now we’re looking for ways to help it grow even more. We’d love to create some dedicated space for the program, including a conference room, offices, presentation space and a test kitchen where students could receive culinary training.

If you’re interested in getting involved, we’re always looking for supporters for our UMatter Scholarship Fund. There are more details here. If you’re an employer, consider reaching out to explore partnership opportunities with UMatter. You can find all the information you need here: https://www.usf.edu/education/umatter/.

I’m very thankful for the work our UMatter leaders do, and I’m proud to oversee a campus where these students thrive. It’s a powerful reminder that every student deserves the opportunity to shine.

Christian Hardigree is Regional Chancellor of USF St. Petersburg.