Destination Dawgs: Where Opportunity Meets Inclusion

When the University of Georgia (UGA) launched Destination Dawgs in January 2017, the vision was clear: create a fully inclusive program where students with intellectual disabilities could learn, grow, and thrive alongside their peers. What began as an idea from a 2014 exploratory grant has since become a nationally recognized program that places students at the heart of campus life.

Unlike some programs that offer separate classes, Destination Dawgs was built to be fully integrated. Staff explained that this was a very intentional choice: “Destination Dawgs is unique in that we do not offer any segregated or specialized classes that are just for IPSE [Inclusive Post Secondary-Education] students. We were intentional about not reinforcing beliefs that students with intellectual disabilities should be in separate classes.” Instead, students enroll in regular UGA courses, join clubs, cheer on the Bulldogs at game days in Athens, and take part in internships that help them prepare for meaningful careers. From the start, UGA students themselves supported this vision, even passing a Student Government resolution in 2015 to welcome peers with intellectual disabilities into the Bulldawg Nation.

More Than a Program; It’s a Community

Since those early days, the growth has been striking. Today, Destination Dawgs students are leaders in student organizations, active in Greek Life, and visible across many parts of the campus community. The program has also created hundreds of opportunities for degree-seeking students to serve as peer mentors, tutors, and advocates through the Disability Studies Certificate program. “Destination Dawgs provides a vibrant hub for interdisciplinary collaboration across campus,” one staff member explained. The program strengthens not only its own students but also the larger UGA community, giving students confidence and direction.Ben Harrison, Destination Dawgs Student

Ben Harrison, a Destination Dawgs student, shared, “I decided to join Destination Dawgs because I wanted to be able to have the university experience plus widen my educational background to something more than high school level.” For Ben, the transition into UGA life was a big step. “When I first started in 2022, it was quite an adjustment,” he said. “For nine years, I was in specialized schools for being on the Autism Spectrum. Once I started attending classes here, it was a new, exciting milestone to interact with all the different individuals that are in the Bulldawg Nation.”

Gaining Skills, Building Futures

Career preparation is a central focus of Destination Dawgs. Students take part in internships across campus, whether in academic departments, athletics, or student services, that match their personal goals. Ben, for example, shared that his favorite classes have been Global Issues and International Relations. “Those classes have better enhanced my communication and team-building skills,” he explained. He is also proud of speaking on behalf of Destination Dawgs to different groups on campus. “Getting to share my story as someone on the Autism Spectrum is what I hope motivates and encourages others to attend university.”

The program’s emphasis on independence is equally important. Students can live on campus, build study habits, manage their time, and learn to advocate for themselves. Peer mentors play a key role, offering both academic support and friendship. Ben shared, “Mentors and teachers have helped me to better communicate and take genuine interest in what we as a community can contribute…it’s not just about what the program can do for me, it’s about what I can give back in return.”

Looking Ahead

The vision for Destination Dawgs goes beyond college. The program aims to prepare students for a fulfilling adult life after graduation. Ben hopes to remain part of UGA after completing the program. “What I hope to do after the program is work here at the University of Georgia campus as a student worker and mentor the cohorts that will be coming in after I am no longer a student,” he said. “I want to be that light when the path seems uncertain, and they need to feel motivated to keep going.”

For staff, the future means opening doors for more students to become part of Destination Dawgs and making sure their growth continues even after graduation. The team is committed to making the program stronger with national standards, student leadership staying focused on student goals. The team is committed to strengthening the program through accreditation, expanding peer mentorship, and always centering the goals and dreams of students. Destination Dawgs is about more than classes or internships; it is about belonging, leadership, and believing in yourself.

With each new cohort, the Bulldawg Nation grows stronger. This is not just because Destination Dawgs students are included, but because they are helping lead the way.

Want to know more? Visit Destination Dawgs on UGA’s website or the GAIPSEC website.