Empowering Autistic Scholars Mentoring & Research Training Program

What is the Empowering Autistic Scholars Program?

Empowering Autistic Scholars (EAS) is an innovative program dedicated to building a community of mutual empowerment and support for autistic students at Cal Poly. We accomplish this by providing our Scholars with the individualized support and professional development opportunities they need to thrive in college and beyond.

There are 3 main components of the program:

Community: EAS students are welcomed into an inclusive, tight-knit community of peers and staff they can depend on; it’s like having a second family at their “home away from home.” Each Scholar is matched with a peer mentor who will help them navigate the complex world of Cal Poly; teaching students everything they need to know, from the rules to their rights. They will also provide one-on-one skills training and socio-emotional support. Scholars will also work closely with EAS staff, who will teach them important professional skills, including research methods and professional communication and collaboration skills.
Opportunities: Working in teams, Scholars will be trained and paid to work as research assistants on a hands-on, real-world project, giving them ample opportunity to practice important communication and collaboration skills they need in their academic and professional lives.
Support: All program supports have been tailored to help smooth our Scholars’ transition to Cal Poly. Students work one-on-one with the Program Director to create individualized plans that best serve their needs. And best of all: Everything is entirely free!

Undergraduate students from ALL majors are welcome!

Mission

To increase autism awareness at Cal Poly and create a more inclusive campus environment for autistic students.
To improve student retention and graduation rates and advance educational equity for autistic students.

Vision

To create a safe and inclusive university learning community that provides our students with the skills, experience, and confidence they need to become empowered self-advocates and leaders in their chosen fields.

Program Components

Community

One-on-one Peer Mentoring
Social Events

Opportunities

Paid Research Assistantship
Skills Training
Educational & Professional Development Workshops

Supports

Faculty & Staff Mentoring
Academic & Career Advising
Self Advocacy & Neurodiversity Training

Current Research

Fostering Neurodivergent Student Success: Using a Participatory Action Research Approach to Engage Students in the Development of More Inclusive, Accessible, and Engaging Library Instruction and Services; 2024-present

Project funded by the Teacher-Scholar Mini Grant program. Research, Economic Development & Graduate Education (R-EDGE), California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

Meet the Team

EAS students have a team of dedicated staff whose mission is to help them be happy, healthy, and successful. This includes both acting as student advocates and teaching our students how to effectively advocate for themselves.