About WIPSE & Eligibility

The Westfield Inclusive Postsecondary Education (WIPSE) program empowers students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve meaningful lives through inclusive higher education. As an integral part of Westfield State University, WIPSE provides accessible, individualized opportunities for academic engagement, career development, campus involvement, and personal growth that prepare students to become self-determined adults, contributing members of their communities, and lifelong learners.

In partnership with the Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education (MAIPSE) initiative and the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, WIPSE advances equitable access to higher education while supporting student engagement, success, and belonging in alignment with the mission of Westfield State University.

WIPSE envisions a university community where every student has the opportunity to learn, belong, lead, and thrive. We aspire to be a model of inclusive higher education by creating authentic college experiences that foster independence, meaningful employment, lifelong relationships, and full participation in campus and community life. Through innovation, collaboration, and high expectations, WIPSE contributes to a more inclusive Westfield State University and a stronger Commonwealth where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are recognized as valued scholars, colleagues, employees, and citizens.

WIPSE proudly reflects and advances the values of Westfield State University by:

• Belonging & Inclusion
  We believe every student deserves to be a valued member of the university community and to participate fully in the academic, social, and cultural life of campus.
• Student Success
  We provide individualized support that empowers students to discover their strengths, achieve their goals, and prepare for meaningful employment and independent adulthood.
• Access & Opportunity
  We remove barriers to higher education by creating equitable pathways that allow students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience college alongside their peers.
• Collaboration
  We cultivate partnerships among students, families, faculty, staff, employers, school districts, adult service agencies, and the broader community to promote successful outcomes.
• Excellence & Innovation
  We embrace evidence-based practices, continuous improvement, and person-centered planning to advance inclusive higher education and contribute to the ongoing leadership of Westfield State University and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Community Engagement
  We encourage active participation, civic responsibility, and reciprocal relationships that strengthen both our campus and the communities where our students live and work.