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As a result of the impact that ��Ӱֱ�� State’s Reaching Individual Success in Education (RISE) program has had on young adults with intellectual disabilities, ACHIEVE Career Consultants recently presented the college with its 2016 Community Partner of the Year award. 

This honor is given to a community agency who has partnered with the Allegany Arc in the mission of providing support to and creating opportunities for community members with special needs, with the goal of helping them build better lives for the future. ACHIEVE, which is a division of Allegany Arc, provides multiple avenues for individuals to prepare for and become successful members of the workforce community. 

��Ӱֱ�� State’s RISE program focuses on creating a unique educational experience that nurtures students’ social and academic growth. Students are given access to a variety of experiential learning opportunities through service learning, work study, mentoring, and internships. 

RISE centers on academic instruction, employment experiences through work-based learning, and social and independent living. In the program, ��Ӱֱ�� State students serve as peer mentors to the participants as they assimilate into the college environment, audit college classes, and explore their personal goals. 

Melanie Ryan, ��Ӱֱ�� State coordinator of Student Disability Services and campus liaison to the RISE program, said she was very honored to accept the award on behalf of the college and that the program was recognized in this way. 

“The students and staff involved with this program are wonderful to work with,” she said. “I am delighted with the success of the RISE program here at ��Ӱֱ�� State and look forward to celebrating our first graduating class from this program this spring.”