CHATTANOOGA, TN -- College should be a place where all students feel like they belong. That’s why Chattanooga State Community College is committed to fostering a campus where students of all abilities learn, grow, and succeed together. 

Last month, the College’s Special Olympics program was recognized as a Unified Champion School, meaning organizers strive to incorporate students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD Students) into every part of the College experience. 

Tina Gower, Coordinator of the Tiger Access Program in the Center for Access & Disability Services, said as a Unified Champion School, Chattanooga State pairs IDD students with neurotypical student mentors to support them in both academics and in Special Olympics competitions. 

“Special Olympics gives our students meaningful engagement. They are making friends and having fun,” said Gower, the 2024 Special Olympics Coach of the Year for the state of Tennessee. “It also helps the overall school environment. When everyone gets on board, more people start accepting people with differences.”  

Special Olympics offers more than just athletics and camaraderie. Attendees also learn leadership and advocacy skills and can receive healthcare services through the program. 

“This recognition is celebrating Tina Gower's success as well,” said Dr. Kristi Strode, director of ChattState’s Center for Access & Disability Services. “We are not just providing academics—we are providing an inclusive experience for them. The wellness, the life skills, and the leadership skills that Special Olympics provide are crucial.” 

While the Unified Champion School designation is typically awarded to high schools in Tennessee, three higher education institutions in the state have earned it: ChattState, Vanderbilt University, and The University of Tennessee at Knoxville. 

Gower said being a Unified Champion School is important because many IDD students from the Chattanooga area attended high schools with the program, meaning they are accustomed to having a peer mentor. 

"When some students arrive, the very first thing they say is, ‘Where's my mentor? I’m ready to go play with them,’” Gower said. “They can lean on that support through everything, not just sports.” 

Chattanooga State is more than a college; it’s a place where students of all abilities come together to learn and cheer one another on. As a Unified Champion School, the College doesn’t just open doors for students with disabilities—it paves a welcoming path where everyone belongs.