College Access Navigators (CAN) is an innovative support program for ASD students and students with ADD/ADHD to assist them in accessing campus resources. Willamette University strives to ensure that the autistic and ADD/ADHD student populations have access to student support, academic advising, course instructions, and campus activities. CAN was piloted by the Student Success Hub Fall 2019 in collaboration with the Autism Spectrum Navigators program at Bellevue College in Washington State. As of Fall 2022, we will be starting our fourth cohort of CAN students.
Our mission is to provide advocacy and access services for ASD students and students with ADD/ADHD that lead to successful academic outcomes while providing educational opportunities that increase self-knowledge in the areas of executive functioning, self-regulation, social interaction, self-advocacy and career preparation; and to actively promote a campus and community environment of inclusion and understanding of students, faculty and staff with neurological differences. For more information, please check out our CAN PowerPoint (PDF).
To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:
- Admitted to Willamette University/PNCA
- Identify as either ASD or ADD/ADHD
- Be willing and able to participate in all aspects and commitments of the program including an introductory for credit course and regular navigation assistant (peer mentor) meetings.
If you are a prospective student interested in the CAN program, please know that there are openings in the program at both campuses. Please contact us at accessible-info@willamette.edu for more information.
