Messiah University launches NEXT Steps, a residential certificate program for students with intellectual disability

Messiah University launches NEXT Steps, a residential certificate program for students with intellectual disability

Messiah University is pleased to announce the launch of the NEXT Steps program, a fully residential, two-year, four-semester certificate program designed to provide a transformative college experience for students with intellectual disability (ID). This new program, scheduled to begin in fall 2025, reflects Messiah’s commitment to inclusive education, equipping students with ID with the skills and experiences they need to lead more independent lives.

The NEXT Steps program (Navigating Educational Experiences Together) offers students aged 18-25 who have completed high school the opportunity to live on Messiah’s campus, engage in academic and co-curricular activities and participate fully in campus life. Through individualized support and programming, the initiative aims to enhance students' independence, vocational readiness and social connections.

“We are thrilled to launch the NEXT Steps program and extend Messiah University’s unique Christian educational mission to students with intellectual disability,” said Amber Brisbane, program director of NEXT Steps. “This program is designed to provide a vibrant and supportive community where neurodiverse students can thrive academically, socially and personally.”

About NEXT Steps

Highlights of the NEXT Steps program include:

• Residential living – Students will reside in Messiah’s on-campus housing, gaining valuable independent living skills in a supportive environment.
• Academic engagement – Students will enroll in undergraduate courses with their peers as well as program-specific courses that focus building independent living and employment readiness skills.
• Campus integration – Students will have access to Messiah’s extensive extracurricular offerings, including clubs, athletics and cultural events, building meaningful connections with peers and the broader campus community.
• Vocational preparation – Through internships and practical training, the program equips students with the tools to pursue meaningful employment.
• Personalized education – Students will earn a certificate in Career and Personal Development with a concentration in one of four specific areas of interest.

“Messiah University has a longstanding tradition of academic excellence and student-centered education,” said President Kim Phipps. “The NEXT Steps program is a natural extension of our commitment to creating opportunities for all students to grow and succeed. We are excited to welcome these students to our campus and to see the contributions they will make to our community.”

Applications for the inaugural cohort of the NEXT Steps program are now open, with the program set to begin in fall 2025. Prospective students, families and educators are encouraged to visit messiah.edu/nextsteps to learn more about the program and application process.

About Messiah University

Founded in 1909 and located near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Messiah University is a nationally ranked, private Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences that enrolls 3,320 undergraduate and graduate students.