This summer has been such an energizing season for me. I’ve had the privilege of traveling to different parts of the country, seeing firsthand the incredible work happening in our regional alliances as they hosted Capacity Building Institutes (CBIs) focused on postsecondary education for students with intellectual disability.
These gatherings weren’t just conferences or one day meetings—they felt like moments of real change. Every room I walked into was filled with program staff, state leadership, advocates, and others ready to share, learn, and build connections. Each region brings its own perspectives, challenges, and creativity, and when people come together, the energy multiplies. I kept thinking to myself: this is what momentum feels like.
Some highlights that stood out for me:
SEPSEA celebrated its 10th Annual Conference in Asheville, NC, with more than 250 people! I was honored to deliver the keynote alongside Danie Roberts-Dahm and Cate Weir. I also had the privilege of giving the Susanna Miller-Raines Leadership Award to outgoing SEPSEA Chair, Emmaree Wilson.
Two alliances held their first CBIs: Upper Midwest, in Fargo, ND, and Mid-Atlantic, at the University of Maryland! Caroline Jurisich and Meg Grigal were in attendance in MD.
The Midwest Inclusive Postsecondary Alliance (MIPSA) and Great Lakes Inclusive Postsecondary Education Alliance (GLIPSEA) joined forces in Madison, WI, where Chelsea Stinnett and I gathered with more than 50 attendees.
The Northwest Inclusive Postsecondary Education Alliance (NWIPSEA) gathered in Idaho with over 50 participants, and the Four Corners Regional Alliance came together in Denver, and Mindy Lingo and I were able to join.
And the momentum isn’t stopping. Red River Higher Education Alliance is having their CBI planned for this fall, and I can already feel the excitement building.
Being in these spaces reminded me how important the regional alliances are—they’re the backbone of this work. They make postsecondary education for students with intellectual disability more sustainable, more connected, and more innovative. Every time I left a CBI this summer, I felt both proud of how far we’ve come and hopeful about where we’re going.
I’m excited to keep this energy building. Most regional alliances are getting together while at the State of the Art Conference in a few weeks. Next summer’s CBIs are already in the works, and I can’t wait to see the progress that will be made. If you want to be part of this movement, reach out to your regional alliance or visit the Regional Alliances webpage. The momentum is real, and I truly believe it’s only just beginning.
Photo caption: A selfie photo of me with a hotel ballroom full of people sitting at tables behind me, taken at the SEPSEA Conference during my keynote.
About the post author: Susanna Miller-Raines is a program manager at Think College working for the Inclusive Higher Education Network supporting the growth and creation of state and regional alliances across the nation. Susanna is a co-founder of the Southeast Postsecondary Education Alliance.