On Your Marq Autism Support Program
Here at Marquette University, the On You Marq program breaks down barriers to inclusion, builds equity, and makes college possible to students on the autism spectrum that have otherwise been denied access to world-class higher education. On Your Marq serves a growing category of student that is academically gifted enough to succeed in college, but needs wraparound support to help with organization, life skills, social skills, and communication. This unique program capitalizes on the strengths and gifts autism can bring while creating an environment for students to actualize their full potential.
Giving to On Your Marq helps change the lives of students on the autism spectrum in three main ways: increasing program equity, bolstering supportive offerings, and ensuring program sustainability. Learn more about each of these below.
Increasing Program Equity:
Annually, families are expected to contribute $6,000 in addition to the tuition, room and board, and school supply costs of attending Marquette. This program fee helps to cover the costs of providing graduate coaching staff, seminar expenses, tutoring, and social event opportunities. While the students and their families find the program to be more than worth the financial cost, it unfortunately can make OYM inaccessible to lower income students on the Autism spectrum. Sponsoring a student or other financial gifts directly help to ensure that On Your Marq is inclusive of all, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Bolstering Supportive Offerings:
On Your Marq, is able to offer a unique wraparound suite of services to help ensure the success of all our students. OYM offers individualized services to help students thrive academically, socially and as independent adults. We hope to grow the number of students, improve the physical program space and strengthen the interpersonal relationships students form. Your gift will help more students build stronger social relationships through a larger number of social skills building events, deeper residence life involvement, and a wider variety of support offerings, all in a welcoming sensory friendly space they can call their own.
Ensuring Program Sustainability:
In 2019 On Your Marq welcomed its first cohort of undergraduate students. The amount of growth in this inaugural group of students has already been immeasurable. We hope to continue to ensure the success of more and more students here at Marquette. Your financial support helps ensure the sustainability of the program as a whole, allowing us to focus on changing the lives of our students and helping maximize their potential.