By Kavya Jade

published in Fall 2024 Issue of CEISMC Impact Magazine

When Lexi Guerrero first began her schooling in the EXCEL program at Georgia Tech, it was a big adjustment from her experience at her small high school. Now, as a rising sophomore, Guerrero has expanded her social circle and is an executive member in a dance company at Tech with big ambitions to become a dance instructor and teach children with special needs once she graduates. She also formed a deep appreciation for Georgia Tech sports after befriending athletes from the baseball, football, softball, and basketball teams. Her time in EXCEL has helped her break out of her shell, find a work-life balance and shape her career goals.

EXCEL is a four-year college certificate program at Georgia Tech that gives students with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience college life and build a skill set in the career fields of their interest. Students who participate in the program earn two certificates, complete EXCEL coursework, have access to career mentorships, and are taught independent living skills in a classroom setting and a peer support program. Many students also join clubs and take part in various extracurricular activities on the Tech campus.

“I have a peer coach and a mentor,” said Guerrero, who is now involved with the Georgia Tech Colorguard. “They have both been amazing and really helped me get through my first year and now I feel like they are my best friends. This is a great program because the staff and mentors really help you make new friends and join clubs and events. They helped me with my academics and how to be responsible with my work and friendship connections and balancing them.”

Braden Bartels entered EXCEL with a clear goal: to start a career in business or finance and become a wealth manager or financial analyst. He explored this interest by studying companies focusing on the products or services they sell and their dynamics. He also meticulously followed the stock market. During the fall, he will be interning at Coca-Cola where he is shadowing all the finance departments. In addition, he will be interning at Flik Hospitality Group where he will be learning about operations and how they tie into financial statements. He also is a member of the business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi, having served on the Executive Board over the past few years. Concurrently, Bartels is active in the Georgia Tech rowing club, which he said helps him stay grounded and manage his course load.

“EXCEL is a program where you can still get the full college experience and you gain so much work experience, and socializing with other people,” Bartels said. “EXCEL is a unique opportunity, especially the academics, which is probably the hardest, but having a tutor is very helpful.”

Matt Strom, a rising senior in the EXCEL program, said he loves working out at the Campus Recreation Center and currently works in a customer service role at Chicken Salad Chick. Notably, he, along with two other EXCEL students, received 2023 Advocates for Accessibility Awards, which recognized individuals or groups who have worked to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities at Georgia Tech. Each EXCEL student developed a project proposal, and Strom’s plan was to introduce a stop sign to promote pedestrian safety at an intersection in Tech Square. Strom said he values the deep connections and sense of community he has formed during the program.

“My freshman year, I was a little nervous living down here and spent a lot of time in my dorm,” he said. “But now, I have a lot of friends and a great community. I have become a mentor and leader for first-year students, making sure they feel supported and checking in on them regularly. EXCEL has allowed me to be myself and show the world what I can do.”

Zahmari Johnson, a recent spring graduate of the EXCEL program, said he is excited to begin working a full-time job as a conference setup crew member, having gained valuable experience from his space setup internships on campus. He also developed a career interest in cybersecurity. He supported this interest through other internships, such as serving as an IT service desk intern at a global consumer goods company called Kid2. He also worked at Georgia Tech Library’s print studio through his final semester, assisting with customers’ printing needs and fixing technical issues on the computers. Johnson’s favorite experiences were his extracurricular activities, having joined 15 different student organizations, including Christian Campus Fellowship, the Caribbean Students Association and Best Buddies.

“EXCEL has helped me explore my interests, make friends and be social on campus through my activities, and prepare me for work based on the skills that I have developed through all my internship experiences,” Johnson said. “EXCEL gave me access to the resources I needed for life after graduation.”