UCM’s THRIVE program expands to four years, empowering more students toward independence

By Alex Greenwood, April 15, 2025

 

Since 2010, the THRIVE program at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) has offered students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a unique and supportive college experience—one that opens the door to greater independence, employment opportunities and personal growth. This spring, that door just opened wider.

 

THRIVE—short for Transformation, Health, Responsibility, Independence, Vocation and Education—is more than just a college program. It’s a fully immersive experience for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, designed to help them live more independently and enter the workforce.

 

Following years of feedback, planning and persistence, UCM has received approval from the U.S. Department of Education to officially expand THRIVE into a four-year comprehensive transition and postsecondary (CTP) program. The new designation not only strengthens the academic and life-skills journey of students in the program but also unlocks additional financial aid options that had previously been out of reach.

 

“This is big,” said Tony Lubbers, director of the Office of Student Financial Services at UCM. “The four-year CTP approval means eligible students can now access Pell Grants, even if they’re not degree-seeking. That’s a major support for families who’ve carried a heavy financial burden to give their students this opportunity.”

The expansion didn’t happen overnight. It began years ago, with a conversation.

 

“We asked parents what more we could do,” said Michael Brunkhorst, director of the THRIVE program. “Many told us that after two years in THRIVE—living in residence halls with mentors and staff—the jump to life back home was a hard one. Some parents said they wished their students had a more realistic living arrangement, like an apartment, to ease that transition.”

 

That feedback sparked the idea of a third and fourth year, with programming tailored to build on students’ earlier experiences while moving them toward greater independence. Apartment-style living, internships and more career-specific coursework became central to the vision. But the vision needed validation—and funding.

 

Working with colleagues across campus and with the guidance of emeriti faculty member Joyce Downing, Ph.D., Brunkhorst and Lubbers built the framework and submitted it to the Department of Education. In March, they received approval, retroactive to the beginning of the spring 2025 semester.

 

“The expansion of the UCM THRIVE program to be approved as a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for Title IV financial aid is an important achievement that provides educational access to many students and families and aligns with our university strategic plan goal number one to provide a welcoming campus environment for students of all backgrounds and provide opportunities, support and resources for them to be successful,” said Tim Crowley, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

He added, “These students now have the opportunity to learn and integrate into the broader UCM community through participation in academic, social, residential and community activities across a four-year collegiate experience. This expansion of the THRIVE program access is a point of pride for our institution and reflects the hard work of our dedicated faculty and staff.”

 

During the initial two years, students live on campus, improve their academic and social skills, gain computer literacy and participate in internships. Alongside core THRIVE classes focused on life and job skills, students also take traditional university courses, such as University Foundations or Learning Strategies, plus electives in areas that match their interests.

 

Many earn the program’s Certificate of Success and build a personal portfolio. Some even transition into UCM’s general student population as degree-seeking students.

 

“One of our students recently applied to become a typical student,” Brunkhorst said. “His family didn’t think college was even in the cards for him, and now he’s on a path to a degree. That’s the kind of transformation we love to see.”

Since its inception, THRIVE has served 176 students. Its impact reaches far beyond UCM’s Warrensburg campus.

 

“We’ve had students from Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, even Doha, Qatar,” Brunkhorst noted. “That early demand meant we were often turning students away. Now, not only are there more programs across Missouri, but with our expansion, we can support more students here at UCM than ever before.”

 

The THRIVE team doesn’t measure success by degrees alone. For many students, the confidence gained through THRIVE is the real milestone.

 

“We had a student email me a while back, just thrilled that she could pay her own bills. She’s working in fashion retail, has benefits and lives in her own apartment,” Brunkhorst said. “Another bought a new car. It’s those day-to-day markers of independence that show us the program works.”

 

THRIVE students also engage deeply with campus life. They play on rec league softball teams, take healthy living classes alongside Early/Elementary, Middle and Physical Education majors, and build relationships with UCM students training to become speech pathologists, special education teachers and counselors.

 

“This isn’t a program on the sidelines,” said Lubbers. “It’s embedded in UCM life.”

With the CTP expansion complete, Brunkhorst’s eyes are already on the next milestone: accreditation through Think College, the national accrediting body for transition programs.

 

“We’re already certified as a two- and four-year CTP, but accreditation would be another layer of assurance for families that we’re delivering the best possible experience for their students,” he said.

 

Above all, both Lubbers and Brunkhorst emphasize that THRIVE is about choice—giving students and their families options that didn’t exist a generation ago.

 

“When we started, we got over 50 applications for 12 spots,” Brunkhorst said. “Now, with other Missouri programs also emerging, families have real choices. But if they’re looking for a smaller university experience with strong support and integration, we think UCM is the best option out there.”

For more information about THRIVE, including admissions and program details, visit ucmo.edu/thrive or follow UCM THRIVE on .