UI REACH alumnus Connor Muston credits the University of Iowa for saving his life as a child. Twenty years later as a young adult, he credits Iowa once again for supporting his success.

When the Keokuk, Iowa native was 3 years old, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He spent three and a half years undergoing treatment through UI Health Care, featured as a patient in the University of Iowa Dance Marathon. The program creates and sustains special projects to provide emotional and financial support and services for patients and their families receiving care at University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

“It gave Connor, other kids like him, and families a little bit of a rest where they could feel appreciated and special, not different, in regard to having people appreciate them for what they’re going through,” says Connor’s dad, Rex Muston.

Connor’s parents – Amy Johnson and Rex – both educators with the Keokuk Community School District – say they are grateful for all the support their son has received from Iowa, whether UI Health Care or UI REACH.

“I was coaching soccer at the time, and just to hear people be upset about such arbitrary things, but then you have a little kid that’s fighting a life-threating diagnosis,” says Rex, an alumnus of the UI College of Education.  “It’s a reality check in terms of realizing how blessed you are that things can always be worse.”

Throughout this difficult time for the Muston family, they also discovered that some side effects of the chemotherapy impacted Connor’s cognitive processing. Despite the adverse circumstances that Connor faced, he was still able to provide hope to the rest of his family.

“As a father I felt this a lot - children that have cancer, that are going through the treatments and other kids that have serious health issues, I don’t think that they look at the magnitude of what they’re going through as much as adults,” says Rex. “They’re much more positive. We can learn a lot about how children deal with that adversity.”

Connor’s grandfather, Ray Muston, is a College of Education professor emeritus of the former Division of Planning, Policy, and Leadership Studies. Ray was aware of UI REACH from his tenure at Iowa, and he got Connor’s parents interested in exploring the program for Connor. 

The combination of Connor’s successful early battle against cancer and his family ties to Iowa made the entire Muston family even bigger fans of the university. So, it was only natural when Connor graduated from Keokuk High School that he would follow in his family’s footsteps and become a Hawkeye through UI REACH.

UI REACH (Realizing Educational and Career Hopes), is a comprehensive, four-year certificate program in the College of Education, with early graduation options for students ages 18 to 25 years old with intellectual, cognitive, and learning disabilities.

UI REACH has helped students like Connor pursue their dreams since its founding in 2008. He entered the program in 2020 and graduated with a REACH certificate in May of 2024. Connor is among the one-third of UI REACH students who receives scholarship support from UI REACH.

“Before attending UI REACH, I was very nervous,” says Connor. “I had difficulties with trying to find jobs and it was more stressful because I had very little knowledge on how to be more independent.”

The program has established success with 92% of UI REACH students employed within a year after graduating. All of those employed are earning above minimum wage. UI REACH also provided Connor with valuable work experience through the University of Iowa’s theater building scene shop. 

“It was a paid internship, which was my first time being in a workplace where I would get paid,” says Connor. “I helped within the scene shop by building the stage, the scenery for the plays that were going to be held there, and I would help with making props that were going to be used within those plays.”

This experience inspired Connor to pursue a career as a welder. Connor received his welding certificate from Kirkwood Community College after taking fall and spring welding classes. He also received specialized training to become a forklift operator, a valuable skill he has been able to utilize this past summer at Keokuk Community School District, where he worked as a custodian. This job also provided an opportunity for him to work full time, and practice driving to and from work.

“UI REACH and I also partnered with Vocational Rehabilitation and Kirkwood Community College,” says Connor. “We were able to get me enrolled in a welding certification course there.”

Vocational Rehabilitation services provide adults with disabilities opportunities within the workforce throughout the state of Iowa. 

In addition to taking a full course load at UI REACH, Connor travelled to Cedar Rapids twice each week for classes at Kirkwood Community College. In fact, Connor was the first UI REACH student to independently navigate the 380 Express transportation system. This cost-effective service provides transportation to commuters between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. 

This often meant that Connor had extremely long days, but he persevered through it all and was one of only a few students in his classes who passed the certification exams. UI REACH staff members Trevon Talbot and Michel Petkewec were especially instrumental for their roles in arranging funding transportation for Conner.

Independence is an important aspect of UI REACH’s mission. Almost 60% of UI REACH graduates live in their own residence, which is more than two times higher than the national average. 

“After joining UI REACH, I have become more comfortable and confident in going out and living on my own as an independent adult,” says Connor. “I now feel ready and prepared for the future.”

Connor’s parents say they have witnessed how UI REACH has helped their son grow to become more confident and successful. 

“I felt that he really gained a lot of independence. I think the fact that he would be up in Iowa City, and we wouldn’t be hearing from him that often was a real sign of his independence,” says Rex. “The biggest thing is that UI REACH has helped him a lot during the school year in terms of learning skillsets that he’d need to be independent. I’ve seen those work in practical experience these last few summers.”

Connor is aware that although he paved his own path, many other UI REACH students will seek to follow a similar route. His advice to future students is applicable to all aspects of life.

“Work hard, pay attention, and make sure to gain new experiences,” says Connor. “Go outside of your comfort zone, because in doing so you will gain more confidence, and you will open yourself up to more opportunities in your future.”

Since graduating, he has had time to reflect on the positive impact that UI REACH has had on his life personally and professionally.

“The biggest lesson I learned was that hard work pays off,” says Connor, who was also the featured 2024 UI REACH graduation ceremony student speaker.  “I went above and beyond what I expected of myself, and I gained more confidence than I had ever had. I learned that doing things that may seem scary at first, will become less stressful as you continue.”

Now that Connor has graduated, he is seeking a position as a welder in Iowa City. His family continues to show their gratitude to the University of Iowa and the opportunities that have been created for Connor, and they are hopeful for his future.

“Do I appreciate the University of Iowa and all that it’s done for the generations of Mustons? Yes, for sure. It’s been a big part of our happiness,” says Rex Muston.

Despite the challenges, Connor’s perseverance and positive outlook have led him to success.

“What I want people to know is that even though there are those with intellectual or physical disabilities, we can still be contributing members of society, and we have value,” says Connor.