UAMS Graduates 13 in 2015 Project SEARCH Program

By Spencer Watson

UAMS Provost and Chief Academic Officer Jeanne Heard, M.D., Ph.D. (left) presents a certificate of completion to UAMS Project SEARCH graduating intern Kiara Gilbert.

The 13 interns who graduated May 28 from the UAMS Project SEARCH program that helps young adults with disabilities develop workplace skills found that to be true as they ended nine months of training at UAMS — along with coaching from nonprofit ACCESS and assistance from Arkansas Rehabilitation Services — to enter the independent working world.

Struggling with emotion, Kiara Gilbert could only manage a simple, heartfelt thank you to mentors and coaches who’ve helped her secure employment as she addressed the crowd gathered for the group’s graduation ceremony.

Hunter Smith, momentarily overcome, had to pause to wipe away tears but was committed to relaying her gratitude for the chance to work and the opportunities that experience will unlock.

But while most graduates expressed a bittersweet feeling at leaving the program, many indicated their excitement at the prospect of starting a job with the skills they’d learned.

Graduating intern Jermaine Moore uses a computer-powered voice to talk about his experiences and express his thanks to family, job coaches and coworkers for his time at UAMS.

For Paris Rowland, it was a sense of confidence and learning how to work with others, “which is something I felt I needed.” For Liz Hodges, it was learning to organize things efficiently “and not having everyone get mad at me for doing it,” a comment that elicited a chuckle from the audience of family, friends and coworkers.

Speaking via computer, Jermaine Moore’s voice didn’t betray his emotion as he relayed his experiences in equality management, infection control and health information during his nine-months at UAMS. But his smile conveyed his joy.

“I would like to thank my parents for proactively moving to Little Rock to help me participate in UAMS Project SEARCH,” he said. “It has helped me gain employment, learn many skills and life lessons and learn to be a productive citizen.”

Beau Hammons, another participant, worked internships in classroom technology, operations and maintenance, the distribution center, the mailroom and the gift shop.

“The things I learned were many and useful. So many that I can’t say which one is the most important. I thank all of the people I have worked with, the job coaches and my parents, who force fed me the idea of Project SEARCH. It was painfully delicious,” Hammons said.

Kakki Greene thanks friends and family for their support during graduation from the UAMS Project SEARCH program.

Ten of the 13 interns in the program have already secured employment. They will work for a variety of companies and organizations, including: K9 Country Club, Catholic High School for Boys, Fox Ridge Senior Living, Embassy Suites, National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs and Texas Roadhouse.

“With these agencies and businesses working together, we have created a program that is extremely valuable — not just to these interns, but to all of us,” said Jeanne Heard, M.D., Ph.D., UAMS provost and chief academic officer, who presented each graduate with the certificate for completing the program.

“These interns have actively embraced this experience with enthusiasm and have never faltered as they’ve taken on new challenges and gained new skills.”

UAMS Project SEARCH, the first program of its kind at an Arkansas university and the only one in central Arkansas, was modeled after the internationally successful Project SEARCH program started at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Since its founding in 1996, Project SEARCH has grown to include more than 300 programs in six countries.

The 2015 graduating class of the UAMS Project SEARCH program poses for a picture with coaches, mentors and speakers from graduation following the ceremony.

For the UAMS program, now completing its second year, the university serves as the host business, matching each intern’s skills with work placement. ACCESS advisors met the interns daily for vocational instruction, job coaching and lessons in independent living skills. Arkansas Rehabilitation Services provided financial support for the program, applied directly to vocational education and career development

It is, said both speakers and graduates, a program that is successful thanks to all its parts working together.

“To you, graduates, thank you so much for showing up every day, showing your passion for employment and working together to learn what you have learned. You have demonstrated your readiness and willingness and strong desire to work and you have all exceeded beyond expectations. Thank you,” said Tammy Simmons, executive director of ACCESS, at the graduation ceremony.

Alan McClain, commissioner of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, also addressed the graduates on behalf of their families, as his son Nathan was among the graduating interns.

“So often at commencement ceremonies you hear speakers tell graduates to start going out to change the world. Well, I think through your experiences the world has already been changed, not only for you and your families but for the people you’ve worked with every day. And now, as you head out to new jobs, we’re all thrilled to see you going out into the world and we hope you keep changing it.”

A group of 13 interns has been accepted for the 2015-2016 UAMS Project SEARCH program. They will begin their internship experience this fall.