EPISODE 51: At UC Davis, a full college experience for non-degree scholars

Blake and Ishaan are loving life on campus, taking classes and working at internship jobs.

Both are part of the UCDavis Redwood SEED Scholar program, which supports California students (ages 18-23) on the spectrum (and with other learning differences) who want a full college experience. For Blake, now a third-year student, that includes the program's foundational classes in math and language arts, plus a choice of classes from all that's offered across UCDavis. One of his faves so far: a quarter spent learning about the geology of national parks. Plus, Blake has two very different internships-  take a listen to hear more. Ishaan also feels the program is a perfect match for him. Now in his second year, Ishaan enjoyed dorm life from the start. He is super involved with his internship supporting the volleyball teams. Academically, Ishaan has chosen a mix of classes and appreciates the peer mentors and tutors. These guys can't say enough great things about the whole experience- take a listen to hear more!

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:07

Do not take classes because you think you should take the classes. Economics and computer science. I took because I thought that it could help me in the professional world. And if it gives you an existential crisis about your identity as a scholar, and then that bleeds through to your other courses, including the ones you're actually passionate about, just drop it. Do not feel ashamed for dropping a class.

SPEAKER_00 0:37

It takes work.

SPEAKER_06 0:38

Join clubs, find groups, find your people, find ways to fit in, see a peer mentor, see somebody who can help you get involved on campus.

SPEAKER_03 0:48

There were a lot of black children on the spectrum who were also deaf. She's not the first one.

SPEAKER_02 0:52

I researched all of the majors and I eliminated the ones that sounded not interesting to me. So then I changed it to chemical engineering to work with chemistry. Then I took an environmental science class and I'm like, I think environmental issues are really important, and I'm really passionate about state sustainability and stuff. So then I changed it to finally environmental engineering.

SPEAKER_05 1:12

Especially in a college town like Don't DoorDash. Like, just go out and get the food. That's good exercise.

SPEAKER_08 1:24

Hey everyone! Thanks for joining us on this episode of Autism Goes to College, the podcast for students on the spectrum and for everyone who supports us. Navigating college is always a challenge, so here are the hacks, insights, and great ideas you've been looking for to make college work for you. We're a small group of self-advocates. We're all in college or recently graduated, and you can do this too.

SPEAKER_04 1:55

Hey everyone, I'm your host, Catherine O'Brien. Today's show is something really special because we have two guests who are both from the Redwood Seed Scholars program at UC Davis, Blake Muller and Ishan Mishra. If you listen regularly, you'll know that my studies in the PhD are all about varied pathways to success for autistic young adults. So this is a super important opportunity to hear from two students on one such pathway. Very briefly, since 2020, the SEED program at University of California at Davis has been welcoming a cohort of 12 full-time non-degree students each year. And the program includes support from peer mentors around academics, social life, health and well-being, residential living on campus, and employment. And given that Davis is a place where people bike to get around, students are given bikes and to keep up with classes and academics, a computer as well. Over the last five years, as this program has been rocking it up at UC Davis, 27 campus departments have welcomed Redwood Seed scholars into their classes alongside the rest of the UC Davis student body classes in departments like African American studies, military science, human development, drama history, and more. The seed scholars also take part in internships on and off campus with the goal of finding occupations that are fulfilling. Students in this program live alongside other UC Davis students on campus housing and they participate in clubs and organizations. And of course, they can bike around if they'd like. We're here to talk about how students on the spectrum navigate college. And I do want to add that students in the Seed Scholars program can have other disabilities like Down syndrome or other intellectual disability. But for now, let's hear about life on campus. Um, so Blake, right now I hear that you are a third-year scholar. So why don't we just go back in time for a second and tell me a little bit about where you were from and how you first were in high school and found your way to UC Davis?

SPEAKER_09 4:16

Um I'm a little living in college is awesome. It gets me the opportunity to live it independently as an adult. And I I'm from Pleasant, California. And um how I heard about this program, um my mom has a friend named Carolyn that she was discussing with us about this program in Davis. It's four years. And I wasn't so sure I said no, but after my after I I saw some other students that that were discussing how it feels like being the Dorans. Um I was thinking more about joining, and um then after my interview, they just Beth and Sarah chose me immediately.

SPEAKER_04 5:03

So it was like an instant fit when you met the program staff and had your interview?

SPEAKER_09 5:09

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 5:10

I see. And so you went to high school in Pleasanton, which I know is in Northern California, so somewhat close to UC Davis. What were you doing before you came to campus?

SPEAKER_09 5:25

I was doing a different program. It's it's called Village High School in Pleasanton.

SPEAKER_04 5:31

I see. So more of a day a day school experience.

SPEAKER_09 5:35

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 5:36

I get it. So let's talk about what happened after you had the interview and it was an instant acceptance. How did it feel to arrive on campus and get started?

SPEAKER_09 5:49

Um, I didn't know what to expect. Like I didn't know how the dorms were gonna feel like. Like meeting people that I never met before.

SPEAKER_04 5:59

Yeah, that's understandably scary. How did it go for you?

SPEAKER_09 6:06

I've been overwhelmed a lot for freshman year like I just wanted to quit immediately.

SPEAKER_04 6:11

Oh I'm sorry it was so overwhelming at first. It seems like you didn't quit. What helped with that?

SPEAKER_09 6:20

Um, after my PCP, they just told me how I was nailing it and uh and I was always on time, addressing it probably for work.

SPEAKER_02 6:28

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_09 6:29

And um always following directions and stay on tasks.

SPEAKER_04 6:34

So you got validating good good comments from other people. What's a PCP, by the way? I haven't heard that before.

SPEAKER_09 6:44

Oh, so PCP stands for personal center plan meeting.

SPEAKER_04 6:48

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_09 6:49

It just like talk talks about like how how well you're doing, and your family comes on Zoom or in person, and and and the teachers record themselves like how well you're doing.

SPEAKER_04 7:03

Oh yeah. That sounds really uplifting.

SPEAKER_09 7:07

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_04 7:08

Okay. So going to college meant a lot of change, and like you said, you met a lot of new people. How was the dorm? Did you have a roommate your first year?

SPEAKER_09 7:21

Uh uh, you did, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 7:23

What was that experience like? Was that new?

SPEAKER_09 7:26

Uh it was new, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 7:29

Yeah, did it go well?

SPEAKER_09 7:32

Um we we got along well quickly when I started my freshman year.

SPEAKER_04 7:39

And what about this year? Are you still living in dorms or has that changed?

SPEAKER_09 7:44

Um, so I stay at dorms in this program from freshman to sophomore year, but but when I'm a junior, I'm I'm at the colleges at the apartments.

SPEAKER_04 7:54

Oh, so you're in an apartment now?

SPEAKER_09 7:57

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 7:58

Do you like the apartment better than the dorm?

SPEAKER_09 8:00

I do.

SPEAKER_04 8:02

Very cool. Do you have access to a kitchen there?

SPEAKER_09 8:06

We have our own kitchen, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 8:08

Oh, that's great. And do you still go to the dining halls too?

SPEAKER_09 8:13

Um I still make meal plans there, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 8:16

Okay, so there's a good balance. Do you like the support that you're getting with housing? Is it does it feel more comfortable now than it did at first?

SPEAKER_09 8:27

Um, it um it feels more crunchable now now now I'm used to it.

SPEAKER_04 8:31

That's really good to hear. So I have been told that biking is the way to get around UC Davis, but I've never been. Are you enjoying the biking? Do you get around by bike?

SPEAKER_09 8:45

Um I do, but uh I also have to be careful. There are like some bikes that come in fast.

SPEAKER_04 8:51

Yeah, I have been hit by a bike as a pedestrian, um, and it is painful.

SPEAKER_09 9:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 9:00

So definitely safety first, wear your helmet, all that. So you also get to choose the classes you take. What are you taking right now?

SPEAKER_09 9:12

For my Davis class, I'm taking of geology of national parks.

SPEAKER_04 9:17

Okay, so a geology class with uh the mainstream UC Davis population. That sounds really cool. Um, we've got some great national parks in California that I am assuming have great rocks.

SPEAKER_09 9:34

Yeah, they have pretty rocks.

SPEAKER_04 9:37

Yeah. Um, do you have a favorite national park or a favorite rock from this class?

SPEAKER_09 9:44

I don't think I have a f favorite, but uh but I but I want to go to Yellowstone so bad.

SPEAKER_04 9:51

Yeah, I went to Yellowstone before the pandemic and it was beautiful. Uh I highly recommend it if you get a chance to travel there. It's really something special.

SPEAKER_09 10:02

Yeah, it's cool. It's cool.

SPEAKER_04 10:04

Are you taking other classes within the Seed Scholars program this quarter, besides the geology class?

SPEAKER_09 10:11

Um I'm taking two foundational classes. One foundational class is laircy, which is re-eating, and the other one is math.

SPEAKER_04 10:23

Okay. So what about favorite classes from last year? In your second year, what did you take?

SPEAKER_09 10:31

I think my favorite one about to be um probably my Davis one. I took an oceans class. We're just we're about the tropical oceans.

SPEAKER_04 10:43

Oh, okay. Have there been other favorite classes that you want to talk about? Like maybe classes that you took in your first year when you were just getting adjusted?

SPEAKER_09 10:53

I really loved that. I took civics and social justice.

SPEAKER_04 10:57

That sounds really cool. And can you tell me a little bit about life outside of classes? Um, you know, the social part, what you do on campus or around the town of Davis?

SPEAKER_09 11:09

Uh I usually grab food with with my friends on campus or who go to downtown. There's a place called the Dining Commons, that's the cafe. And um there's a place called Gunrock, which I really like. And um there are food trucks.

SPEAKER_04 11:35

Yeah. I understand you also have uh two jobs, uh, an on-campus job and an internship. Let's chat about the internship first. What do you do for your internship?

SPEAKER_09 11:50

Well, the two jobs I work at is the equestrian center and Seguno Services front desk.

SPEAKER_04 11:57

I see. Okay. So you have a internship at the Equestrian Center, and then you have a desk job as well.

SPEAKER_09 12:05

Yes.

SPEAKER_04 12:06

Talk to me about the Equestrian Center. Are you working directly with horses?

SPEAKER_09 12:11

Uh I am, yeah. Right now I'm being a garden angel there, like showing the students the ropes on where stuff is and how to groom a horse, how to bathe a horse.

SPEAKER_04 12:24

So you have some leadership teaching others how to do horse care. That rocks. Very cool.

SPEAKER_09 12:31

Thanks.

SPEAKER_04 12:32

How did you how did you learn to to groom and care for horses?

SPEAKER_09 12:38

They just told me the steps. Um, I've been working at the Creshman Center since freshman year, so this is my third year of doing it.

SPEAKER_04 12:46

Did you grow up around horses at all?

SPEAKER_09 12:48

Um yes, actually. My dad said my my great grandma uh actually owned horses. She used to have a ranch.

SPEAKER_04 12:59

Oh, yeah. I I really love horses. I think they're such special, interesting animals.

SPEAKER_09 13:05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 13:06

And then you also have a a desk job. Is that in the dorms?

SPEAKER_09 13:10

Um that is near the dorms, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 13:14

I see. Okay. Um, how does that work? What do you get to do there?

SPEAKER_09 13:19

I usually help help the students like reactivate their card or help help get them a temporary card until you get locked out of their dorm room.

SPEAKER_04 13:30

So it's troubleshooting access when students might like lose their ID or things like that.

SPEAKER_09 13:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 13:38

What are some of the highlights of your time at UC Davis so far?

SPEAKER_09 13:44

Um, so far, I'll be going to a lot of sports with my friends in Davis. I like football, basketball, and baseball.

SPEAKER_04 13:54

That's awesome. Any lowlights or or learning moments that you want to share for people to learn from?

SPEAKER_09 14:01

For me, I'm learning how to like clean my own room, clean my own bathroom, and definitely clean the kitchen because I don't want to have any pests in there.

SPEAKER_04 14:14

Oh, yeah. Definitely important. Do you have any tips for other people that might be listening and considering a program like Redwood Seed Scholars?

SPEAKER_09 14:24

For those of you who are interested in this program, I just want to uh wish you luck and you'll do great in your um foundational classes. Um, if you have trouble, you can always reach out to a mentor or to tell Beth and Sarah if you don't like the Davis class, just let them know, and they'll find another class that most interests you.

SPEAKER_04 14:52

That's great advice. Thank you so much, Blake.

SPEAKER_09 14:55

No worries.

SPEAKER_04 14:56

All right, and now we'll switch it up. Ishawn, it's great to have you joining us as well for this conversation.

SPEAKER_07 15:04

Yeah, thank you so much for having me.

SPEAKER_04 15:06

It's our pleasure. So you also graduated from high school and eventually found your way to UC Davis. But I heard that you also spent some time at community college. Can you tell me a bit about that?

SPEAKER_07 15:20

Yeah, I think uh community college for people who have intellectual disabilities or are looking for a program like the Rabbit Sea Scholars Program. Um I recommend they do maybe one year of a program. I did a program called TTW, Two's transition to work for one year. And after that, I wanted to see how I would do an algebra, but um the class got so hard, it just kind of I went in the wrong direction basically, and um it was really hard, and you know, I just I was I just kept hoping for something to change. Then I took a gap year, did some traveling, then I said, No, now it's time to go to college. You know, I have a younger sister who goes to Bernard of Columbia. Um, she's a junior, so but uh I'm the oldest. So Okay, big brother. I like being the oldest. Um yeah, but similar challenges. I mean, first off, to people who are listening, um please give us a try. We're a great program, and we have the greatest support system in the entire Northern California area, and we're really close to Sacramento, so go Kings, go go catch some Kings games.

SPEAKER_04 16:48

Um I've heard such good things about UC Davis Redwood Seed, like really uh a great thing. So it sounds like you're from a family that loves scholarship, you know. Your sister is also at a great college, but you know, community college didn't quite work out in terms of the level of challenge versus the level of supports with the algebra.

SPEAKER_07 17:14

To me, honestly, it's not it's not what I was looking for at the time. Yeah, I was looking for more of a uh four-year program, and I came along some websites. Uh actually, when I was in high school, UC D UC Davis, I wanted to apply to the Robert Seeds program straight out of high school in 2022. Um, but then I thought, let me go to community college. I've already talked to the TTW program, and so then I did that. Um loved it, and now you're here to uh have the opportunity to be a UC Davis student and Red Root Seat scholar. And yes, I do have a class with Blake. Uh we uh take literacy together.

SPEAKER_04 18:07

That's awesome.

SPEAKER_07 18:08

He was actually the first uh person I met over summer camp.

SPEAKER_04 18:13

Oh, that's so cool. Tell me more about dorm life. How have you adjusted to living on campus?

SPEAKER_07 18:21

Yeah, that my first year at a great roommate named Isaiah Baptiste. Um, it was a great first year. Um I think definitely living in the dorms, doing my own laundry. I felt um that, you know, now I'm independent. I take train home nowadays.

SPEAKER_04 18:39

Yeah. And what do you like about the dorms? I know some people find the transition to living on campus tough.

SPEAKER_07 18:48

Yeah, you know, I I like the camaraderie that we have in here. Us sophomores, we've done this. This is our second year in the dorms, and then the next two years we'll be in the apartments. So um we're really looking forward to the apartments.

SPEAKER_04 19:04

Yeah. And what class are you taking for your UC Davis class right now?

SPEAKER_07 19:10

Right now, I'm taking American Studies autobiographies. I know we focused on one of Michelle Obama's books, uh, the former First Lady of the United States. Um, yeah, it's been a long uh nine weeks. Uh week 10. Week 10, we finished out the quarter in December. So, and then we have our um fall expos. So this year I think is gonna go by pretty fast. Sophomore year went by pretty fast, and by the time we all know it, us uh sophomores and juniors will be juniors and seniors, and uh we'll be on our way out. So um that's a bit nerve-wracking for I think uh juniors, as they know that next year, after this year, they'll be on their way out and moving up into the world. I have tremendous respect for Beth and Sarah. Our meeting when they interviewed me went very well. Um on March 15th, I got the go-ahead that I was able to come into the program. And I actually last year, Friday, it was a Friday on March 15th, and I went home that day.

SPEAKER_04 20:18

Basically, on that day that yeah, to celebrate the anniversary of the acceptance.

SPEAKER_07 20:23

Yeah, so it's coming up again. The two-year anniversary will come up again, then the three, then the four, then you know, the five, the six, the seven, the eighth.

SPEAKER_04 20:32

Yeah, I mean, what a testament to how much this program means to you.

SPEAKER_07 20:37

Yeah, I think this program is uh something special. We're building something here, and uh, it's like we're building our own uh our own Super Bowl team. So it's a great uh great uh thing that Beth and Sarah are doing.

SPEAKER_04 20:52

I I could not agree more. What about the courses? Have they been challenging? You know, how is it earning college grades?

SPEAKER_07 21:02

Some some some courses have been very challenging, but uh I I took a nutrition class winter quarter, which I passed with an A. And then I took a uh English class spring quarter freshman year, which I passed with a B. So looking at my overall year, I feel I have a routine now. And then the winter quarter, I'll go to the gym more and more and more and more and more.

SPEAKER_04 21:29

Just keep building on the confidence, on the skills that you've already mastered. And you know, it sounds like socially you've made some great community in the program. Is that going well? Making friends, yeah.

SPEAKER_07 21:45

Uh going well. Um, my friend uh Paris and I, we went to uh former graduates of the program, a couple of alums. Uh, we went to their apartment, live in Karis. They work for the program now. We made some Mexican. Can fried rice. Yeah, but you know, I I really want to take some time out of my day and hop on this podcast and really just, you know, talk about our great program, but we have a uh UC Davis.

SPEAKER_04 22:13

And I heard you have an internship.

SPEAKER_07 22:16

Yes, uh, working with the volleyball team. Right now, um, they are trying to fight for the number one seed in our uh big west conference. Next year they'll be moving to the Mountain West. So um that's where our division gets tougher and tougher, and um we're looking to bring our UC Davis swagger into a new um into a new level. So um it should be great.

SPEAKER_04 22:43

Yeah, Ishan, it sounds like the program has been fabulous for you and you enjoy it. What are you thinking of doing after college? Like what's the what's the ambition next?

SPEAKER_07 22:56

You know, um I haven't actually thought that far. I'm just trying to get to the four years of college. Um you know, I have two I have two years left in this great program, and uh I'd like to leave this program on a on a somewhat high note. And uh to anybody listening out there who wants to come to UC Davis, not even to be part of the Robert Seas program, but our our big family that we have here, you know, apply. You know, we're looking for new international students, students, who knows? Maybe one day this podcast will interrupt uh days of our lives.

SPEAKER_04 23:36

Yes. Yes, and if you have a passion for inclusion, you can find community on campus at UC Davis or at other schools as well.

SPEAKER_07 23:47

But yeah, if you go to the University of Connecticut or the University of Delaware or wherever you go to school and you have an intellectual disability, I think this podcast can really help you talk about it.

SPEAKER_04 23:59

Yeah, check us out on autismgoes to college.org. And thank you so much, Ishaan, and uh a thank you back to Blake as well for sharing your stories. I think it's so cool. Um, and I'm so glad that the program has been such a a positive force in your lives.

SPEAKER_07 24:18

Yeah, I mean, thank you for having the both of us.

SPEAKER_04 24:28

The documentary film Autism Goes to College is currently available through many channels, but the easiest way to see it today is to rent it on Vimeo on Demand, which you can access from your Apple TV or most smart TVs by going on the Vimeo on Demand app. You can also find a direct link on our website at www.autismgoes to college.org. The film is also available for educational use and live and hybrid screening events. All the relevant info and links can be found on our website. Thank you so much for listening, following us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, and especially for adding your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Our show is specifically for students on the spectrum navigating college, and we really appreciate your support for Autism Goes to College. Thanks for listening.