At Auburn University, the EAGLES program provides students with developmental and intellectual disabilities life-changing opportunities to work towards independence. Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success, or EAGLES, is a non-degree program that began in 2018 with four students. In the past seven years, the program’s demand and reach has grown significantly, and the most recent program accommodated 11 students.
“[EAGLES] is gaining the publicity and recognition that it deserves because it’s just so incredible, and it’s a very unique program,” said Carson Fronk, the current WINGS president.
EAGLES students enroll in classes on Auburn’s campus that are specifically tailored to encourage independence, improve social skills, learn and practice job skills and build friendships. To meet the different needs of its students, there are two paths that students can take: the basic program, which is two years long, and the advanced program, which lasts four years.
“I have really enjoyed my time in the EAGLES program. I like all of the events and all of my friends,” said Miles Hart, a third-year EAGLES student. “[Our formal] was so much fun!”
The annual EAGLES formal is a social event that gives students a great opportunity to dress up and have fun. They can go to the formal to hang out with other peers, ask a friend to attend as a date or even bring a family member with them for the night.
The program’s specific student events also include an annual Olympics, where EAGLES have the intramural fields reserved to compete in activities like push-up challenges, relay races, soccer and football. At their Olympics, EAGLES students also have the exciting opportunity to meet and talk to many of Auburn’s student-athletes.
Both graduate students and professors teach EAGLES classes, but outside the classroom, students are encouraged to reach out to peer mentors who are a part of the WINGS program: Warmhearted Individuals Nurturing Great Success.
“I am thankful to be involved in such an inclusive community,” said Annie Mak, a WINGS academic mentor. “It has truly been a joy to serve the students academically, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the students’ college experiences. I will cherish the bonds and friendships I have made with EAGLES students forever!”
The WINGS program has grown from a 40-student program in 2022 to what is currently a 300-strong student program. Auburn students who assist in the WINGS program may be pursuing a major in any field but must be between the ages of 18 and 26. They have the opportunity to earn a Disability Advocacy Certificate as well as practicum or volunteer hours.
“As [EAGLES] cohorts grow, we will need more mentorship and help from the WINGS, so I can see us keeping on growing and growing,” Fronk shared.
WINGS students are grouped into four major sections, so that EAGLES always have a contact to reach out to depending on what they want to do that day. Academic WINGS attend classes with EAGLES and help them with classes. Health and Wellness WINGS can provide company for EAGLES going to the Recreation and Wellness Center or travel to doctor’s appointments. Groups of Social WINGS are often on-call to hang out with EAGLES recreationally, whether that be for a grocery run, movie night or nail day.
“Whenever I applied to Auburn, I had no idea that the EAGLES program was even a thing,” Fronk said.
Alongside her work for the WINGS program, Fronk is majoring in law and justice.
"I went into the EAGLES program knowing I wanted to practice disability advocacy law. This was really hands-on experience.”
The end goal of the EAGLES program is for students with intellectual disabilities to achieve their goals of independent living and to secure reliable employment after graduation. In its work with the WINGS, both groups of students are learning to work together and thrive across Auburn’s campus and beyond.
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