VOA Awards $250K Gift to Support UST Pragmatic Studies

Volunteers of America - Texas has selected the University of St. Thomas-Houston Kolbe School of Innovation and Professional Studies as the recipient of a $250,000 gift. This gift will provide 100 scholarships of $2,500 each to students receiving 504 accommodations with preference for students in the Pragmatic Studies program.

"On behalf of University of St. Thomas, the Kolbe School of Innovation and Professional Studies would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Danita Wadley and Volunteers of America for this remarkable gift made on behalf of Dr. Landry, in honor of her aunt," said Dr. Nicole Walters, Dean of The Kolbe School of Innovation and Professional Studies. "This generous contribution to the Pragmatics Studies Program significantly advances our mission-driven efforts to support students and families within the neurodiverse population."

To celebrate, representatives from Volunteers of America (VOA), including Danita Wadley M.A., Chief Strategic Officer of VOA Texas, visited the University of St. Thomas (UST) Kolbe Success Center on Sept. 2 to process required student applications and share messages of encouragement to the students. Alongside Kolbe School parents, students, faculty and staff, in a wonderful show of support, new UST President Dr. Sinda Vanderpool was able to be there for the event, on her first official day as President.

"This gift recognizes the amazing work of Dr. Nicole Walters and her Kolbe team as well as the beautiful family legacy and work of Dr. Nicole Landry - two powerhouse leaders within our UST family," said Eleana Thornton Hagerty, UST Assistant Director of Development, Campaign.

Dr. Nicole Landry, UST Associate Dean, Graduate Education, spearheaded working on this gift and is proud to help support UST students.

"We are deeply grateful to Volunteers of America Texas and Danita Wadley for their generous $250,000 grant supporting students with disabilities at University of St. Thomas," Dr. Landry said. "This transformative gift will directly benefit the Kolbe School of Innovation, under the leadership of Dr. Nicole Walters, and will expand access, resources and opportunities for our students. Their commitment to inclusive education is helping us build a stronger, more equitable future for all."

The Desiree Alexandria Durley Scholarship, named in honor of Dr. Landry's aunt who had learning differences, will be able to support the majority of UST's Pragmatic Studies students for the 2025-26 academic year.

"The scholarship is being named after my aunt Desiree Alexandria Durley because she was not able to do some of these things that our students can now with the help of our Kolbe School faculty and staff," Landry said. "I grew up with her in our household, understanding that she has superpowers just like everybody in this room. It was really important to have her namesake show that if Desiree could have had this opportunity, she would have loved it. But she's now able to see how other students can be supported in a way that is very important to not just the University, but our society as a whole."

Wadley, who is over strategy and innovation for Volunteers of America, was especially grateful to share this gift on behalf of VOA Texas as her daughter is on the autism spectrum.

"We all want to thrive and live a full life," Wadley said. "I wrote this grant last summer; I had Pragmatic Studies students in mind. This is not a handout - it is leverage to be able to give all students a tool to continue learning, expand their experiences, live a full life and thrive to be a person that has stability in whatever it is they want to do."

The trailblazing Pragmatic Studies Program at UST's Kolbe School was developed for students with learning differences. It is the only program of its kind in the country and has a waiting list every year. Since its inaugural class of 12 students in 2023, the Pragmatic Studies program now serves more than 165 students with learning differences with 48 interns this past summer. With this gift, the Kolbe School team will be able to more fully serve its students and celebrate their special contribution to the UST Celt family.

See all of the courses offered in the Pragmatic Studies program.