Robbie O’Shea and Michelle Sebasco wanted to create something meaningful for students with disabilities at Governors State University that would offer more than just socializing and physical therapy, and their brainstorming led to a program called Jaguar Jumps.
“We wanted to do more than just a club on the university campus,” said O’Shea, a physical therapist who retired from the GSU faculty in 2020. “We were able to come together and create a curriculum that really focuses on helping kids and their parents, kids with mild to moderate cognitive disabilities – autism or cerebral palsy. Kids who when high school ended, they just stayed home.”
Jaguar Jumps, which began in 2020, is a two-semester, 10-week class. “The first is really teaching the students how to adjust to college life. Parents are called ‘roommates,’” O’Shea explained. The first session, begun in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, is online although it’s gradually getting back to being in-person. In 90-minute sessions, students learn about such things as taking public transportation and how to get around campus.
“They get a GSU ID so they have all the rights of the GSU students,” she added. “We want to fill that bridge to campus life. … Their goal is to get into Jaguar Jumps 2. That’s when we focus on ‘Do you want to go to college and take classes or go into the workforce?’”
The program accepts students 17 and older, with meetings set for 4:30 p.m. once a week so students can attend high school and Jaguar Jumps simultaneously. “We want to capture those kids so they don’t sit home for a year but go into something meaningful,” O’Shea said.
Sebasco said the program’s numbers are increasing. “It goes up every semester. I think we’re at about 24 students,” she added.
The program seems to be working. O’Shea noted that about 90% of its students have registered for a college class or go on to an entrepreneurial job or higher-level job at their current workplace. “Truth be told, they like college so they are registering and not only registering for continuing ed/noncredit classes,” she said. “They are registering and getting into programs at Trinity Christian College (and others). Anecdotally, those kids would not have gotten into college.”
The fall session starts Sept. 11. O’Shea and Seabasco screen students via phone conversations with them and their “roomies,” as well as principals and teachers – “anyone who is helping them advocate for their transition to the next step,” Seabasco explained.
A Special Olympics Day is planned in partnership with the South Suburban Special Recreation Association, which helped GSU with a STEAM camp day this summer. Students with disabilities are invited to learn more about Jaguar Jumps.
Sebasco said Jaguar Jumps is an important program. “I think when we think about diversity, equity, inclusion, access, belonging, Jaguar Jumps embodies all of that. I think where students would have finished high school previously and completely stopped, but they are finding a place through GSU at the Jaguar Jumps program and they are finding a place where access is available to them.
“They can access our faculty, our staff, our resources on campus. But they’re also creating this special culture of belonging,” she continued. “Jaguar Jumpers themselves are embodying this DEI thing. It’s so cool to see this on campus.”
She said one of the original Jaguar Jumpers is known as “the mayor” at GSU “because you see him in his wheelchair going at high speeds, waving at people. He’s so confident but he wasn’t that way before.” His confidence began to grow after meeting the university’s basketball team during a Jaguar Jumps activity.
“That’s why we have to have it because these students need to know that they do belong and that there is a place for them at Governors State University,” she added.
O’Shea points to the success of a student accepted into Trinity who is studying to be an art therapist. She wanted to volunteer with a therapeutic school but was hired to work with the art therapist to help lead sessions and went back to Trinity with experience from a paid internship. “I think not only do the students gain confidence but the parents start to see their children as productive college students. They make that transition instead of the child always needing care,” she explained.
“The kids make friends within the college community. Like-minded kids but they’re exposed to lots of other cultures and beliefs – kids they wouldn’t necessarily (know) if you only hang out with kids with disabilities if you go to a segregated program.”
Thus far, of the program’s 24 students, Sebasco said five became degree-seeking students at GSU, four have gotten jobs with help from the Workforce Center of Will County and four students have attended other community colleges or institutions.
Jaguar Jumpers have the chance to meet with high-level GSU administrators such as the president or provost and can bring about change. One student who has cerebral palsy wanted to know why no single-use restrooms were on campus because the aide who helps him is female. “Now we have some single-use bathrooms,” O’Shea said. “I think this program has helped the university to grow in ways it wouldn’t (without these students).”
Even parents tout the program’s success, especially its social aspect, such as Daphne Kennedy-Johnson, mother of Julian Johnson, the first Jaguar Jumper to live in a dorm at GSU. Julian, who lives in Richton Park, has autism and ADHD.
“Julian found out about a game night happening on campus, so he told the group. So basically any opportunities that present themselves or the group they get together. Some valuable friendships are being formed,” she said. “Some of the teachers are very supportive and great advocates, so that is a byproduct of these friendships being formed.”
The Jaguar Jumpers also have things in common. “Julian said he likes the Sonic game and his friend likes that. Julian really likes high-speed go-carts and he found another Jumper who likes that,” Kennedy-Johnson added.
She said she appreciates O’Shea and Sebasco’s “big dreams” for the program and seeking parent input. “Robbie is very aggressive about asking staffers on campus about opportunities for internships for the Jumpers. They both really have a heart for this to see about filling in gaps where other resources are needed.”
Julian said he likes the program “because it helped me prepare for college. And I have some good friends. … It taught me how to take METRA and the bus.” Among his favorite activities was playing a keyboard for an end-of-term celebration where Jumpers showcased their talents.
Living in a dorm means he has three roommates. “I like it. I get to talk with some friends,” he shyly shared.
Julian’s father, Jeffrey Johnson, said after Julian learned how to take public transportation he had him escort his younger sister into the city on their own.
He was also impressed by a Jumper who “translated” for another Jumper who was a committee member during a conference. “People don’t always understand what this young lady has to say. One of the other Jumpers always seems to understand what she’s saying and interpreted for the audience. He’s in the program for his own differences, but when he’s translating for his friend, he almost becomes a radio voice translating for her.”
Kennedy-Johnson encouraged parents and students to explore the program, whether they want to attend GSU, another college or a job. “They give those students, whether they enroll in the school or not, a student ID and email. That’s a big thing with college students checking their email. It brings a sense of belonging. … There are so many reasons to join.”
Her husband put it more plainly: “Folks have their role to expand beyond high school. Jaguar Jumps is a great place to learn.”
More information is at www.govst.edu/jaguarjumps, 708-534-4099 or via email at ContinuingEd@govst.edu.
Melinda Moore is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
