UT FUTURE: Postsecondary Education Program

FUN FRIDAY 🎃 FUTURE Students and Staff participated in fall festivities and enjoyed an afternoon painting pumpkins with SGA! Thank you for hosting us!⁠
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Image Description: A graphic with a collage of FUTURE Students, many wearing orange shirts. Some students smile at the camera while holding their painted pumpkins. While others are looking at their pumpkins as they paint. In the center, it reads “Fun Friday” in orange capital letters, and below it reads “Pumpkin Painting with SGA” in light blue capital letters. On the bottom left and top right of the center, there is a yellow drawing of a paint palette and a pumpkin. ⁠
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FUTURE FUNDRAISER!!! 🍦Join us next week, Wednesday October 22nd from 5:00-9:30 pm, at Cruze Farm for a Give Back Night. When you mention FUTURE while checking out, 20% of proceeds will be given to the FUTURE Program. Hope to see you there!
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Image Description: An advertising graphic with a beige background. In the center are four blocks in yellow, pink, blue, and orange, that reads, “Cruze Farm % Night.” To the side of the orange block is an image of a vanilla ice cream cone. At the top of the graphic, is the FUTURE Program logo with a “Power T.” Below reads a blurb describing the FUTURE Program. At the bottom of the graphic, there are details about the fundraiser, such as the date, location, time, and task to mention FUTURE at check out.
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Sensory Friendly Gameday! We promoted the FUTURE Program and handed out sensory items, such as earplugs, fidget toys, handheld fans, sunglasses, and more. Big shoutout to for hosting us!
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Image Description:
Slide One: A photo of FUTURE Staff and Student, who are wearing sunglasses and are holding fans, behind a table with sensory items, such as fidget toys, earplugs, stickers, and a bowl of candy.
Slide Two: A photo of FUTURE Student, Charlotte, who has blonde hair and is holding a Sensory Friendly Gameday sticker and smiling at the camera.
Slide Three: a photo of four FUTURE Students who are smiling at the camera and are standing behind a table with sensory items.
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Meet the FUTURE Students! First up is first-year Samantha Henrikson! Swipe to learn more about her. 
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Image Descriptions: 
Slide 1: A graphic with an orange background and orange and white checkerboard borders on the top and bottom. In the center, there is a circle photograph of Samantha (who has brown hair tied up into a bun and is wearing an orange Tennessee shirt). Above the circle writes, “Meet the FUTURE Students,” in white letters. Below, “Samantha Henrikson” is written in gray letters. 
Slide 2: A graphic with an orange background. At the top, “Meet the FUTURE Students” is written in bold, gray letters. Below is a white and gray talking bubble with information about Samantha, such as hometown, favorite class, hobby, and a fun fact. In the bottom left corner, is a picture of Smokey the Dog (mascot form) pointing up at the talking bubble. In the bottom right corner is the FUTURE Program logo. 
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The National Down Syndrome Congress is honoring the FUTURE Program at its 4th annual Big Game Ball! Use the link below to donate to support the FUTURE Program in attending its recognition at this year's ceremony and for more information about the honorees.
https://volstarter.utk.edu/biggameball

A huge thank you to for the tickets to see the Knoxville Smokies at their brand new stadium! Our students had an incredible time cheering on the team and making memories together. Go Smokies!🐻💙

We’re hiring! The FUTURE Program is looking for passionate team members to fill two exciting positions. Find all the details and how to apply at the links below:

Academic Support: https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/4189/?utm_medium=jobshare&utm_source=External+Job+Share

Outreach: https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/4188/?utm_medium=jobshare&utm_source=External+Job+Share

Dreaming of joining the 2026-2027 first-year FUTURE cohort? Applications for next school are now live on our website!

Early action deadline is November 1st. Regular applications due February 1st.

Finals are complete, and there is nothing left to do but celebrate our graduates! Tonight, our four graduates will receive their certificates at our Annual Banquet. Please joins us in congratulating these four amazing students🎓🧡

May 1st is IPSE Day!
Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) programs create college opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities—offering access to academic classes, campus life, career development, and independence.
FUTURE is proud to be part of this growing movement, helping students thrive in a supportive and inclusive college environment.
Here’s to more inclusive campuses everywhere!

Join us Tuesday April 29th at Lindsey Nelson Stadium for a Sensory Friendly Game Day hosted by the FUTURE Program! We will ear plugs, sunglasses, fidget toys, fans and more. Come check us out from 6:00-8:00 inside the stadium!