At the end of the spring semester, the UI REACH Leadership Team gathered to review progress on achievement of the 2025-2026 annual program evaluation (PE) goals and objectives. We’re thrilled to report that four of our five PE goals were met, and significant progress was made on the fifth goal. Similar to past years, each of the goals is tied to one of the strategic initiatives listed below:
Strengthening Student Support, Engagement and Inclusion
Streamline Processes to Improve Efficiency
Strengthening Sustainability by Addressing Financial and Resource Challenges
Enhancing Staff Professional Development and Retention
Building on last year’s success, we identified new metrics for the PE plan, again tied to strategic goals.
Advancing Accreditation and Using Best Practices
Significant efforts continue to align UI REACH with national quality standards and best practices.
Now that self-assessments for all CARF standards—specifically ASPIRE to Excellence and Employment Planning Services—are completed, next steps for summer and fall will include fully reflecting accreditation standards within UI REACH’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) and developing a clear timeline for submitting a CARF accreditation application.
In parallel, the program has established the goal of submitting an application to the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council (IHEAC) by the end of the Fall 2026 semester.
Together, these efforts reflect a strong commitment to accountability, continuous improvement, and national recognition of program quality. Many thanks go to our staff for the tremendous efforts that have led us to this point in our accreditation quests.
Strengthening Data Systems
UI REACH continues implementation of Salesforce across all core program areas to support data capture, tracking, and use. This work enhances the program’s ability to monitor outcomes, improve reporting accuracy, and support data-informed decision-making at all levels. In addition, Microsoft Teams has been used over the past several years to promote collaboration around student support and document storage. Both Salesforce and Teams will add to our ability to harness good data that will be used in continued program improvement and planning.
Innovating Student Pathways and Career Development
Pathways is an innovative approach to career development and planning for students. During Fall 2025, UI REACH implemented the “Pathways Plan” pilot for first-year students, providing a more individualized and structured approach to student goal-setting and progress monitoring. Building on this work, career focus areas were introduced for second-year students in Spring 2026 to better align experiences with students’ individualized long-term goals and employment outcomes.
Investing in Staff Development and Program Capacity
A major priority this year has been strengthening staff capacity and organizational stability. Efforts include:
Expanding professional development opportunities to enhance staff knowledge, skills, and connections with other inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs. The PD budget for the last academic year doubled to that of previous years. As a result, UI REACH staff gave over 20 presentations at national and local conferences last year.
Addressing workload balance and program needs through strategic staffing additions, including professional and student staff
These efforts aim to ensure that UI REACH maintains a strong, skilled, and supported workforce. Our staff retention rate for the past year is at an impressive 96% for professional staff while our student staffing to grow to reflect the needs of enrolled UI REACH students.
Supporting Sustainability Through Strategic Funding
UI REACH is actively working to strengthen its financial sustainability and expand access for students. In collaboration with the University of Iowa Center for Advancement (UICA), the Advisory Board, and other partners, the program is:
Identifying and pursuing scholarship funding opportunities to improve affordability and access. Over $280,000 was awarded in UI REACH scholarships during the past academic year.
Exploring and expanding revenue-generating opportunities to diversify funding streams
What our Students Say About UI REACH
Spring 2026 survey results show UI REACH students reported growth in independence, life skills, social connection, career readiness, and academic learning, supported by staff, peers, family, and routines.
Students noted the highest levels of satisfaction with internships at 99%, followed by mentor support, inclusive classes, and campus involvement at 96%, and SST support and UI REACH instructors at 95%.
UI REACH classes, residence hall experience, and overall satisfaction were also rated highly, with 83%–92% satisfaction.
Student focus groups and additional stakeholder surveys will be conducted over the summer and fall to identify priorities for improvement in the coming year.
2026 Student Satisfaction at UI REACH: 99% satisfaction with internships, 96% satisfaction with campus life, 95% satisfaction with instruction.