RISE To The Top Southern Miss

10/03/2026

So proud of our students for the hard work, passion, and preparation they brought to the table for this event! Thanks to everybody who came out to support our students!

09/29/2026

Several of our RISE To The Top! students have been participating in the Unify America Challenge, connecting virtually one-on-one with college students from across the country! 💻🤝

During the Challenge, students have had the opportunity to discuss important issues, hear perspectives that may be different from their own, find areas of common ground, and work together through meaningful conversation. RISE is one of the first ever IPSE programs to participate in this experience!

Experiences like this are an important part of inclusive postsecondary education—giving RISE students opportunities to participate alongside their college peers, strengthen their communication and self-advocacy skills, and engage in conversations beyond the Southern Miss campus.

We are proud of our students for stepping outside their comfort zones, sharing their voices, and representing RISE and Southern Miss! 💛🖤 Thanks Unify America and USM Center for Community Engagement for working with our staff and students to make this a great experience for everybody involved!

09/24/2026

Thanks to STEP UP to Leadership for hosting our first RISE social event for the semester! Tonight they hosted a fun game night for our students!

09/15/2026

💛🖤 Applications for RISE To The Top! are officially OPEN! 🖤💛

RISE To The Top! is a four-year, eight-semester, non-degree certificate program at The University of Southern Mississippi for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Students have opportunities to grow through:

📚 Academics
💼 Employment Preparation & Internships
🤝 Community Engagement
🦅 Student Life at Southern Miss

📅 IMPORTANT APPLICATION DEADLINES

⭐ Early Consideration Deadline: November 15
Applicants who submit all required application materials by November 15 will have their applications reviewed early. Applicants selected to advance to the interview round will have the opportunity to complete their interview before the holiday break!

📌 Final Application Deadline: January 15
Applications received after November 15 will still be considered as long as all required materials are submitted by the January 15 final deadline.

🎥 Want to learn more about the RISE application/selection process? Hear from RISE alum Taylor as he shares more about what to expect! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF_AUVmP-88

Know a student who may be ready to RISE To The Top at Southern Miss? Share this post with them and their family! 💛🖤

Applications are OPEN — we can’t wait to meet our future Golden Eagles! 🦅To apply visit the RISE To The Top! website at https://www.usm.edu/interdisciplinary-studies-professional-development/rise.php

09/10/2026

📣 Our RISE alum, Taylor, has an exciting announcement to make! 🖤💛

RISE To The Top! applications open September 15! 🎉

Thinking about applying to RISE? Taylor is here to help! In this video, he walks prospective students and families through the RISE application and selection process and what to expect along the way.

🎥 Press play to hear from Taylor and learn how you can take the first step toward becoming a future RISE Golden Eagle!

📅 Applications Open: September 15

Are you ready to RISE To The Top!? 🦅💛

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/09/2026

Welcome to Volume 3 Issue 1 of our RISE To The Top! newsletter! RISE To The Top! staff and students are excited to begin the Fall 2026 semester. This edition of our newsletter includes beginning of semester updates and highlights!

09/08/2026

We love seeing our RISE students get out and fully experience the life of being a Southern Miss student! This weekend one of our RISE Freshman, Grant, experienced a Southern Miss football game day for the first time and had an incredible time! Shout out to RISE Student Partners and other USM students for assisting Grant with navigating this process for the first time and for including him in the experience!

09/03/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! RISE To The Top! applications for Fall 2027 will be available September 15th! Stay tuned for more information on how to apply!

08/28/2026

Congratulations to RISE Alumni, Taylor, on being recognized nationally by the AUCD for 10 years of Chit Chat! Cheers to 10 more years!

AUCD’s Community Inclusion Team supports the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Network in partnership with the Administration for Community Living.

08/24/2026

Happy FIRST DAY OF CLASSES for our RISE students and all USM students! We look forward to a great semester!