Student Council

The UI REACH Student Council focuses on raising student voices — whether within REACH, at the university, in Des Moines, or in Washinton, D.C. — all in the hopes of improving the lives and experiences of students with disabilities. Every fall, students interested in being a member of the UI REACH student council attend a meeting to present a speech on why they would like to be a member, followed by a UI REACH student body general election. Students delivered fantastic speeches at the start of this semester.

UI REACH Student Council 2025-2026 members

Year 1 Representatives: Bria King and Sean Myers
Year 2 Representatives: Jackson Welge 
Year 3 Representatives: Elijah Bruce (Secretary), Jordan Rodden, and  Kristi Brinks (Vice President)  
Year 4 Representatives: Gavin Carlson (President) and Jack Kostal (Treasurer) 
Council Advisors: Binh Nugyen, Abby Goldberg, and Erica Kaldenberg 

The newly elected student council members stand together.

Highlight on Student Life at Aspire West Campus

After transitioning third- and fourth-year student living to Aspire last fall, students have been in the new housing for over two years now. Amenities at the apartment community include kitchens, shared spaces, individual bedrooms and bathrooms, a dishwasher, washers and dryers in each unit, a market, an outdoor patio, and a dog park.

“The apartment at Aspire is nice and spacious and has so much room,” says UI REACH student Olivia Postman. “I love it because I have my own room and bathroom and closet, and I have decorated it and made it homey. It is a good community to hang out with friends.”

Students at Aspire experience what life can be like for them after graduation. With staff support, students focus on developing executive functioning skills, household management, and expanding independent living skills. Special kudos to Kelsey Friday for supporting UI REACH year 3 and 4 students at Aspire.

A UI REACH student lies on her bed at Aspire, working on her laptop.
UI REACH students prepare food in their kitchen at Aspire.

Unified Sports

The Unified Flag Football team stands together on the field.

Among the many extracurricular activities that students have been participating in this semester has been unified sports teams. This year, UI REACH students have gotten involved in football, volleyball, bowling, basketball, and soccer. 

This semester, several students traveled to the University of Nebraska to participate in a Special Olympics Regional Flag Football tournament. They finished the tournament with three wins and one loss, placing second overall. Special congratulations to Emmitt McConville who earned the MVP award at the games. This group will also be traveling to Minneapolis this summer to participate in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Shout out to Bart Sonnenberg, who was instrumental in starting the Unified Sports initiative at UI REACH.  

Student Led Events

With the help of UI REACH RAs, mentors, and students, UI REACH has continued to host a variety of events for students to attend, socialize, and have fun. Events this semester included “Jaunts with Joe,” e-sports night, movie night, karaoke night, trips to the Coral Ridge Mall, trivia night, meals in Iowa City restaurants, and a talent show. Students take the lead in planning the events including locations, travel, and cost. Learning to plan and host events is a great way for students to build social networks on campus. Some students have attended an impressive 95-plus events this semester.

Students and a mentor group together near a bonfire during s’mores night. UI REACH RAs and first-year students crowd together during a block party. Students eat together at the mall.