Southeastern ‘Lions Connected’ earns national honor
Thursday, March 14, 2019 
by: Tonya Lowentritt
LIONS CONNECTED WINS AWARD – Southeastern Louisiana University’s program Lions Connected received national recognition from the American Council on Rural Special Education as an Exemplary Program in the area of Vocational Training and Transition. From left are Chair of American Council on Rural Special Education Tina Hudson, Lions Connected Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Education Gerlinde Beckers, Southeastern middle school special education/social studies major Emma Beckers, and Southeastern Teaching and Learning Department Head Colleen Klein-Ezell.
HAMMOND – Lions Connected, a Southeastern Louisiana University Department of
Teaching and Learning program that provides personalized, post-secondary educational
experiences for individuals with intellectual disabilities, has received national
recognition.
A comprehensive transition and post-secondary program approved by the U.S. Department
of Education, Lions Connected was named the Exemplary Program for Vocational Training
and Transition from the American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES).
Gerlinde Beckers, program coordinator and associate professor of education at
Southeastern, said Lions Connected works closely with on-campus inclusive vocational
opportunities, community partnerships, parents and college-age peer mentors. Socialization
with typical peers, independent living and self-advocacy, career development and experience,
knowledge, personal health, skills and enrichment are some specific goals with the
ultimate goal to increase the quality of life for students through a college experience,
she added.
“Lions Connected serves five parishes in southeast Louisiana, four of which meet
rural population indicators,” said Beckers. “The program aims to address students
from high poverty, rural parishes with limited resources and opportunities. I am thrilled
Lions Connected received this award. So many people at Southeastern have worked very
hard for Lions Connected to become a program worthy of being considered exemplary.”
Southeastern middle school special education/social studies major Emma Beckers
has been working with Lions Connected since she was a high school student.
“I have been involved with Lions Connected since its first year through high
school service learning. It only seemed natural for me to become a peer mentor when
I started at Southeastern last fall,” she said. “Being involved with Lions Connected
is like having a very diverse second family, where we all belong and help each other
succeed.”
Now in its third year, Lions Connected is certified by the Department of Education
and must meet student academic progress goals set according to the federal standards
in the areas of class attendance, class participation, assignment completion, and
life skills curriculum.
Theresa Danos, mother of Lions Connected charter member Adam Danos, said her
son completed the program and has now moved on to employment.
“Adam is on the autism spectrum and although he functions at a very high level,
he would not have been successful attending a traditional college program. Adam really
expressed a desire to attend college, and the program provided him with this avenue.
We are thrilled!”
Danos added that the inclusive vocational opportunity is a vital part of the
program.
“Having the students leave with job skills and experience will benefit them for
the rest of their lives,” she said. “So many individuals with learning issues end
up unemployed, and we are so happy to support a program that provides hope and life-long
learning skills.”
For more information on Lions Connected, contact Gerlinde Beckers at gerlinde.beckers@southeastern.edu.
