Build It and They Will Come

The purpose of this chapter is to share the experiences of a team of higher education faculty when developing an Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) program at a public liberal arts university in the southeast. Each IPSE program develops its own characteristics and identity depending upon several key factors, including the make-up of its leadership team, the alignment between program and university missions, funding to support the program, the use of peer mentors and general education faculty, etc. This chapter highlights the factors that guided program development: “big picture” planning, practical planning, assimilating IPSE students into the campus community, challenges to implementation, lessons learned, and finally, realizing and celebrating program success. The chapter also addresses a range of topics, including developing a passion and vision, building a supportive team, naming the program, working with faculty colleagues to modify course requirements, overseeing a peer mentoring program, securing internships, and ensuring a “good fit” between program and student.