DENTON, Texas — On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, a momentous event will take place at the University of North Texas (UNT) as the first cohort of the UNT ELEVAR program graduates during the university’s spring commencement ceremonies. This unique initiative, which began in Fall 2021, was conceived to provide students with intellectual disabilities a genuine college experience and equip them to lead independent lives. Among the inaugural graduates are Alex Bartolo, John Martin, and Noah Rahn.
The UNT ELEVAR program, an acronym for Empowering, Learning, Enrichment, and Vocational Accessibility and Readiness, provides a structured pathway for students with intellectual disabilities—a rare opportunity in higher education within the United States. The program’s launch was a groundbreaking effort by UNT faculty, led by associate professor Brenda Barrio. It began with just five students and has grown to encompass 27 students.
“These students have worked incredibly hard and demonstrated immense dedication,” said Dr. Barrio, who has been instrumental in developing the ELEVAR program. “Their graduation is not only an achievement for them but a signal to our community that students with intellectual disabilities are not only participants in higher education; they excel and enrich it.”
Each student in the ELEVAR program follows a tailored education plan that includes both traditional college courses aligned with their career objectives and ELEVAR-specific courses such as financial literacy and life skills. The program also encourages internships and real-world experience, helping students like Noah Rahn, who is passionate about sports and has worked with the UNT men’s basketball team.
Alex Bartolo has excelled by participating in multiple campus roles and discovered his passion for voice acting while at UNT. He plans to speak at the upcoming commencement ceremony for the UNT College of Health and Public Service. Meanwhile, John Martin, who has a family legacy at UNT, has grown in independence and strives to continue working at Mercedes-Benz of Plano, pursuing a future that includes moving into his own apartment.
For these students, the ELEVAR program has been life-changing. It has offered them not just education but empowerment, confidence, and the tools to embark on their future paths. As they prepare to graduate, they exemplify the positive impact of inclusive education programs and the potential they unlock for students with intellectual disabilities.