UA CrossingPoints Program Makes History With IHEAC​ Accreditation

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council (IHEAC) has awarded full accreditation to The University of Alabama’s CrossingPoints Tier 3 Program.

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This marks the first program of its kind in both the Southeastern Conference and the state of Alabama to receive the designation.

CrossingPoints Tier 3 becomes just the fourth inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program in the nation to earn accreditation from the newly established council.

The program is designed to ensure that students with intellectual disabilities enjoy the same academic and campus experiences as their peers.

“The University of Alabama's CrossingPoints Tier 3 program's deep commitment to inclusion and excellence is a model for inclusive higher education,” IHEAC President Stephanie Smith Lee said. “The dedication of program leadership to students with intellectual disabilities was evidenced by meaningful outcomes and the experiences shared by students, parents, employers, and several stakeholders on campus during the site visit.”

IHEAC board members also praised several aspects of the program, including its strong faculty-student collaboration, individualized support services tailored to each student’s goals, and employment outcomes that exceed national averages for similar programs.

Additionally, the IHEAC cited the program’s use of Universal Design for Learning as an exemplary approach to promoting inclusion and accessibility.

“Accreditation is not just a seal. It is a reflection of the hard work, dedication and grit of the CrossingPoints team,” CrossingPoints Tier 3 Executive Director Kagendo Mutua said. “It is also a testament to the strength of the partnerships the Capstone has made possible. These partnerships have become an indomitable community — a community that values and defends both the nuanced and explicit differences that CrossingPoints students bring to our campus.”

CrossingPoints Tier 3 was established in 2019 and aims to build on the foundation of UA’s CrossingPoints initiative.

The program offers a three-year, non-degree certificate for students with intellectual disabilities.

Participants in the program live in university housing, take credit-bearing UA courses, complete internships, work on campus and participate in student organizations — all with individualized support in a fully inclusive setting.

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