We are excited to share our latest inclusive postsecondary education outcome data and program news with you!
Newsletter Highlights
💡2025-26 SC IPSE Outcomes
🍎 Fall 2026 IPSE Program Application Dates
📢 Fall 2026 IPSE Program Open House Dates
🎉 SC IPSE Program Notable News
💲 A Thank You to the SC Legislature
SC IPSE Outcomes
Inclusive postsecondary education is transforming lives across South Carolina. Compared to national outcomes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, South Carolina comprehensive transition program (CTP) graduates are more than four times as likely to be employed in the community (77% vs. 17%) and live independently (71% vs. 16%).
Fall 2026 Program Application & Open House Dates
CarolinaLIFE Embarks on New Partnership with The Lantern HotelWinthropLIFE student poses outside the Admissions office.
CarolinaLIFE
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Application Dates: June 1, 2026 – January 15th, 2027
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Open House Dates (Virtual):
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August 26, 2026
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October 22, 2026
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CharlestonLIFE
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Application Dates –
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August 1, 2026 – November 1, 2026 (Early Decision)
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August 1, 2026 – December 15, 2026
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Open House Date (In-person): October 17, 2026
ClemsonLIFE
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Application Dates: June 1, 2026 – December 1, 2026
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Open House Dates (In-person):
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September 26, 2026
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March 6, 2027
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CoastalLIFE
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Application Dates: August 1, 2026 – February 1, 2027
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Open House Dates: TBD
MidlandsLIFE
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Application Dates: Opens October 1, 2026
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Open House Dates:
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Virtual: September 16, 2026
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In-person: October 22, 2026
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USCA LIFE
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Application Dates: July 1, 2026 – November 15, 2026
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Open House Dates:
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In-person: October 3, 2026
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Virtual: October 10, 2026
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Winthrop LIFE
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Application Dates: September 1, 2026 – November 30, 2026
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Open House Dated (Virtual): September 17, 2026
CarolinaLIFE Embarks on New Partnership with The Lantern Hotel
CarolinaLIFE officially celebrated the launch of its partnership with the Lantern Hotel during a grand opening event on March 25.
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Located in Columbia’s Vista district, the Lantern is a 59-room boutique hotel housed in the historic former headquarters of the Columbia Fire Department.
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The hotel features the on-site restaurant Ladder 13 and is known for its handcrafted beverages, pizzas, and small plates.
The Lantern employs both current CarolinaLIFE students and program alumni in a variety of roles throughout the hotel, including positions in the kitchen, front desk and food and beverage operations.
Beyond creating meaningful employment opportunities, the partnership has strengthened collaboration between CarolinaLIFE, housed in the College of Education, and the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management (HRSM).
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Through this collaboration, CarolinaLIFE students can enroll in HRSM hospitality courses and earn industry-recognized certifications through the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), preparing them for careers in the hospitality industry.
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This partnership exemplifies how collaboration among higher education, local businesses, and the community can create meaningful educational and employment opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities while addressing workforce needs.
CharlestonLIFE in Iceland
A CharlestonLIFE™ student recently became the program’s first to study abroad through a fully-inclusive College of Charleston spring break course in Iceland.
After applying through the Center for International Education, the student enrolled in and completed the same study abroad course, with the same academic expectations, as their College of Charleston classmates.
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Along the way, the student explored Iceland’s unique landscapes and culture while learning about the country’s educational system. This milestone marks an exciting expansion of the opportunities available to CharlestonLIFE™ students as part of their College of Charleston education.
ClemsonLIFE Grad Employed at Disney World
ClemsonLIFE is proud to celebrate an exciting milestone from this year’s graduating class. This year, they had their largest number of graduates to date, with 19 students completing the program. Their graduates are moving forward with a variety of meaningful next steps, including paid employment opportunities and continued involvement through ACES, ClemsonLIFE’s alumni program located in Greenville, South Carolina.
One of their graduates, Jordan, completed the four-year ClemsonLIFE program and has already landed his dream job working for Walt Disney World in Food and Beverage at Animal Kingdom! Jordan is now living independently in his own apartment in Orlando, Florida.
ClemsonLIFE is incredibly proud of all 19 graduates and look forward to seeing the many ways they continue to grow, work and thrive beyond ClemsonLIFE.
CoastalLIFE Students Present at National Conference
In October 2025, two CoastalLIFE students, Trevor “Bo” McCormack and Franc Flores, accompanied by two CoastalLIFE staff members, attended the State of the Art (SOTA) Conference in Syracuse, New York.
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During the conference, both students presented on how they use Apple technology to support their academic success, independence and daily lives.
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They also participated in panel discussions and attended presentations alongside students from IPSE programs across the country, providing valuable opportunities to network, share experiences and learn from their peers.
Beyond the conference sessions, Bo and Franc demonstrated increased independence by navigating air travel, managing their schedules and planning daily activities throughout the trip.
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The experience fostered self-advocacy, confidence and leadership skills while allowing them to represent CoastalLIFE on a national stage. Overall, the conference was a meaningful professional and personal development opportunity for both students and staff.
MidlandsLIFE Welcomes Inaugural Cohort at New Student Orientation
MidlandsLIFE students recently began their college journey by participating in New Student Orientation at Midlands Technical College. As part of the college’s traditional orientation experience, students had the opportunity to become familiar with campus resources, student services, and college expectations while connecting with the broader MTC community.
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In addition to the college-wide orientation activities, MidlandsLIFE students and their families attended program-specific sessions. These sessions provided an overview of the supports and opportunities available through MidlandsLIFE, while also outlining program expectations for students and families to support a successful transition to college.
As MidlandsLIFE prepares to welcome its inaugural cohort this fall, we are grateful for the support and collaboration of our campus and community partners. We look forward to supporting our students as they begin this exciting new chapter and pursue their personal, academic, and career goals.
USCA LIFE Students Join Campus Sororities
During the 2025–26 academic year, four USCA LIFE students became active members of three campus sororities: Alpha Omicron Pi, Phi Mu, and Zeta Tau Alpha.
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As members, students participated in philanthropy events, social activities, leadership workshops and the cherished tradition of Big and Little Sisters, fostering friendships, leadership skills and a strong sense of belonging within the campus community.
WinthropLIFE First Annual Games
This April, WinthropLIFE proudly hosted its first annual LIFE Games, a day filled with fun, teamwork and inclusion.
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LIFE students teamed up with Winthrop University students, faculty, staff, Greek Life members and student-athletes to compete in a series of exciting events, including a balloon toss, egg-and-spoon race, three-legged race and an intense championship tug-of-war showdown.
The LIFE Games showcased the power of community as participants cheered one another on, built new friendships and celebrated everyone’s unique strengths.
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More than just a competition, the event highlighted the inclusive spirit that makes WinthropLIFE so special. The smiles, laughter and teamwork displayed throughout the day were a reminder that when people come together, everyone wins.
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We are grateful to all who participated and helped make the inaugural LIFE Games a tremendous success. We look forward to making this an annual tradition for years to come!
