Georgia Tech Excel

Georgia Tech Excel Georgia Tech EXCEL is a four-year college program for students with mild intellectual and developmental disabilities leading to two separate certificates.

Georgia Tech EXCEL is a four-year program for students with mild intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) leading to two separate certificates. Years 1-2 result in a Certificate in Academic Enrichment, Social Fluency and Career Exploration. Years 3-4 result in a Certificate in Social Growth, Leadership, and Career Development. EXCEL courses are designed to provide essential academic, car

eer and personal success. Students participate in campus life and become a part of the Yellow Jacket family.

Thursday, July 23, was the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As part of her job with the Fulton C...
07/27/2026

Thursday, July 23, was the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As part of her job with the Fulton County Government Office of External Affairs, EXCEL student Leah Gartman (found in the group picture below) attended a rally event hosted in the atrium of the Fulton County Government Center.

The event was attended by 20+ vendors and over 100 stakeholders. The legacy of the ADA was honored and attendees shared a commitment to advancing accessibility, equity and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Concluding this series of EXCEL’s 10th anniversary celebration, Founding Director Ken Surdin reflects on how rewarding i...
06/18/2026

Concluding this series of EXCEL’s 10th anniversary celebration, Founding Director Ken Surdin reflects on how rewarding it is to support students as they discover their strengths, pursue their goals, and build confidence in themselves!

EXCEL Program Support Coordinator Ashley Johnson highlights the impact of the staff’s support on student growth, helping...
06/18/2026

EXCEL Program Support Coordinator Ashley Johnson highlights the impact of the staff’s support on student growth, helping create an environment where students can thrive.

Nathan Heald, EXCEL Assistant Director and Senior Lecturer, shares how the program helps students access opportunities t...
06/17/2026

Nathan Heald, EXCEL Assistant Director and Senior Lecturer, shares how the program helps students access opportunities that support their academic, professional, and personal growth. He explains that students are able to transform these opportunities into meaningful futures through their own determination and independence!

Heather Dicks, EXCEL Career Development Advisor, describes how the program has grown into a model for colleges and unive...
06/16/2026

Heather Dicks, EXCEL Career Development Advisor, describes how the program has grown into a model for colleges and universities across the country. Through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to student success, EXCEL remains a powerful example of what inclusive education can look like in higher education.

EXCEL mentor Emma Volkmann describes how working with EXCEL students has influenced her approach to leadership, strength...
06/15/2026

EXCEL mentor Emma Volkmann describes how working with EXCEL students has influenced her approach to leadership, strengthened her empathy, and fostered personal growth.

In continuing to celebrate EXCEL’s 10 year anniversary, mentor Shreya Joy shares how watching a mentee grow in confidenc...
06/15/2026

In continuing to celebrate EXCEL’s 10 year anniversary, mentor Shreya Joy shares how watching a mentee grow in confidence, independence, and leadership led to a lasting friendship and a deeper understanding of inclusion. Her experience with the program demonstrates the meaningful impact of EXCEL students with their community!

EXCEL Mentor Kanishka Sindhwani shares how mentorship is built on mutual support, shared experiences, and genuine friend...
06/11/2026

EXCEL Mentor Kanishka Sindhwani shares how mentorship is built on mutual support, shared experiences, and genuine friendship. It's truly amazing how through these connections, both students and mentors get to learn from one another, which creates relationships that enrich the Georgia Tech community and extend beyond a single semester!

The EXCEL program is about more than academics. It's also about belonging, independence, and finding a supportive commun...
06/10/2026

The EXCEL program is about more than academics. It's also about belonging, independence, and finding a supportive community even after graduation! One parent reflects on the lasting impact that EXCEL had on her son's college journey, helping him build lifelong skills, meaningful connections, and the confidence to pursue new opportunities post-grad.

Leadership can take many forms, and EXCEL students continue to demonstrate the impact of self-advocacy, collaboration, a...
06/09/2026

Leadership can take many forms, and EXCEL students continue to demonstrate the impact of self-advocacy, collaboration, and community engagement. Here is a reflection from the parents of EXCEL graduate Martha Haythorn about how her time at Georgia Tech helped strengthen her advocacy work and amplify her voice as a leader.

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