Integrated Studies Students Present at Conferences

Integrated Studies students Sebastian DeSimone ’26 and Aceline Galloway '25 presented at statewide conferences during summer 2024. Sebastian presented at the annual Pennsylvania Inclusive Higher Education Consortium (PIHEC) Symposium on his work in 2022 advocating for students with intellectual disabilities to participate in college athletics. He was featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer and on Good Morning America for his success in his efforts.

“I enjoyed presenting at the PA Inclusive Higher Education Consortium. The audience was great. The best part was sharing my life about being a student-athlete. It was wonderful to have my family and advisor supporting me,” shared Sebastian.

Aceline participated in a panel at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) 2024 Community of Practice Transition Conference, where she presented on her experience with Person Centered Planning alongside Christa Fisher, MEd, Assistant Director of Integrated Studies.

“My experience at the conference was incredible. Even though I was nervous at first, Christa and my family members were there to support me,” shared Aceline. “I stood up at the podium and spoke about the Integrated Studies program at Gwynedd Mercy, and I talked about my major in Early Childhood Education and how I am going to be a senior in college, which is crazy to me. I also answered questions and got to talk about how I am involved with the Gwynedd Mercy dance team. I am so happy that I got to go to college, like my sisters and friends, because of Integrated Studies. It is so much fun, and I have learned a lot and made many good friends.”