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LSUA’s SPERO program aims to bring hope to the lives of young people with developmental disabilities—by providing them with the resources and opportunities that will help them lead more independent lives and take up meaningful and rewarding employment in their communities. Spero means “I hope” in Latin.
What will students in the program do?
Students enrolled in the program will
- audit some college-level classes;
- take special program classes designed to improve their daily living skills, interpersonal skills, and employment skills;
- participate in on-campus events and activities; and
- receive vocational (work) training either on campus or at approved off-campus venues.
Who can enroll in the program?
The program will be open to young people between the ages of 18 and 28 who
- have an identified developmental disability;
- have completed high school with a high-school diploma, career diploma, certificate of achievement or equivalent;
- and are ineligible for regular college admission.
A complete list of eligibility requirements is provided in the SPERO Application Form .
When will the SPERO program be launched?
LSUA will launch the program in Fall 2022.
How can prospective students apply?
Prospective students can apply for Fall 2022 admission by downloading the SPERO Application Form , completing the Form, and mailing it to the address below:
LSUA SPERO
Office of Academic Affairs
Louisiana State University at Alexandria
Mulder Hall, Room 130
8100 Highway 71 South
Alexandria, LA 71302
Please ensure that all sections of the form are completed. The form, along with additional documents requested, must be mailed by April 22, 2022.
Completed Recommendation Forms must be sent to the above address by separate mail by April 29, 2022.
The note: the Recommendation Form is provided on pages 18-20 of the SPERO Application Form .
Can individuals contribute financially to support the development of the SPERO program?
Yes. LSUA welcomes donations to the SPERO program from individuals in the community. To make a donation, click on the Donate to SPERO button provided below:
Clicking on the button will take you to the LSUA Foundation website, where you will have the option of making either a $100 donation or any amount greater or less than $100. Please be as generous as you can as the implementation of the SPERO program depends on the availability of substantial private funding.
How is the SPERO program funded?
The SPERO program is largely funded through grants and donations. LSUA is particularly grateful to Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Louisiana and the Coughlin Saunders Foundation (Alexandria, Louisiana) for their financial support of the program; and to Congresswoman Julia Letlow (Louisiana 5th Congressional District) for her help in securing federal support for the program. LSUA is also grateful for the many generous donations that Private individuals have made to the SPERO program.
Why did LSUA develop the SPERO program?
LSUA was approached by parents from the CENLA community about the possibility of offering a program of this kind on the campus. We learned from them that currently no program exists north of I-10 although three programs are offered on four-year college campuses in the southern part of the state. LSUA is very glad that it has been able to launch the program and meet an important community need.
Whom can I contact to obtain more information about SPERO program?
Dr. Eamon Halpin, Tel: (318) 767-2603; email: ehalpin@lsua.edu.
The program’s facebook page, sperolsua, provides regular program updates.
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