EMPOWER

EMPOWER — Educate, Motivate, Prepare, Opportunity, Workplace readiness, Employment, Responsibility

EMPOWER offers a four-year, non-degree college experience program for students with cognitive disabilities that incorporates functional academics, independent living, employment, social/leisure skills, and health/wellness skills in a public university setting with the goal of producing self-sufficient young adults.

The University of Arkansas program is offered for students who demonstrate the ability to safely live independently, sustain employment, and socially integrate during their enrollment. The program progresses with an emphasis on workplace experience, community integration, and independent living with transitionally reduced supports.

Students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of program completion.

Upcoming Events

EMPOWER will be hosting a February open house on February 23rd, from 3:30-6:30pm in the Graduate Education Foyer, room 166.  Parking is available in the West Avenue Parking Deck, 325 N West Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701.

Please RSVP if you plan on attending. 

Recently in the News

• "EMPOWER Program Seeks U of A Students to Fill New In-House Mentorship Opportunities," University of Arkansas News Headlines,  March 12, 2025

• EMPOWER Program Seeks U of A Students to Fill New In-House Mentorship OpportunitiesEMPOWER Program Seeks U of A Students to Fill New In-House Mentorship OpportunitiesEMPOWER Program Seeks U of A Students to Fill New In-House Mentorship OpportunitiesEMPOWER Program Seeks U of A Students to Fill New In-House Mentorship Opportunities

  "EMPOWER Students Thriving in Growing Program," University of Arkansas News Headlines, Sept. 25, 2024
• "EMPOWER Program Seeks Students for In-House Mentorship Opportunity," University of Arkansas News Headlines, April 30, 2024
• "Celebrate EMPOWER April 28," University of Arkansas News Headlines, April 22, 2024
• "EMPOWER Finds Its Place in Greek Life," Hill Magazine: The Student Magazine at the University of Arkansas, April 20, 2023
• "EMPOWER Program Seeks U of A Student Mentors," University of Arkansas News Headlines, Feb. 17, 2023
• "EMPOWER Program Seeks Students as In-House Mentors for Fall 2022," University of Arkansas News Headlines, April 18, 2022
• "Portrait of Power: EMPOWER Graduate Nick Lange," University of Arkansas, Feb. 3, 2021, with portrait series' details
• "Colleges Work to Empower Special Students," Little Rock Family, Sept. 25. 2020
• "EMPOWER Program Helps Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Thrive," University of Arkansas News Headlnes, Feb. 13, 2019
• "U of A Students Needed as Mentors for EMPOWER Program," University of Arkansas News Headlines, Aug. 22, 2018
• "New Program EMPOWERs University Students," KNWA-TV/KLTA-TV/nwahomepage.com, Sept. 20, 2017
• "Students with Intellectual and Cognitive Disabilities Empowered at University of Arkansas," KUAF Public Radio, Sept. 13, 2017
• "First Students Enter New College Experience Program for Those With Intellectual Disabilities," University of Arkansas News Headlines, Sept. 8, 2017
• "UA Creates Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities," The Arkansas Traveler, Aug. 15, 2017
• "New Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities to Begin in the Fall," University of Arkansas News Headlines, April 20, 2017
• "University Of Arkansas To Start New Program," KFSM-TV/KXNW-TV, Feb. 15, 2017
• "Mentally Disabled to Live Collegiate Lifestyle at UA," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Northwest Edition, Feb. 7, 2017
• "University of Arkansas Planning New Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities," KUAF Public Radio, Jan. 26, 2017