Countdown to Commencement: Vincent Peña Embraces a Challenge

This winter, Vincent Peña will don a cap and gown and participate in San José State's commencement ceremony in recognition of his successful completion of the Successful Postsecondary Access & Related Transition Activities for Neurodiverse Students Occupational Career Life Studies (SPARTANS OCLS) Program . SPARTANS OCLS is a two-year non-degree, non-residential program offered through the collaboration of the College of Health and Human Sciences, the Connie L. Lurie College of Education and Professional and Continuing Education at SJSU. For students with developmental or intellectual disabilities like Peña, it's an integrated introduction into university life.

During his time at SJSU, Peña has taken a variety of classes according to his interest and career goals, including ceramics and psychology. As part of the program, he was paired with peer mentors who attended classes alongside him, checked in weekly and helped him develop self-advocacy strategies as he navigated life on campus.

"I want to build a program someday to help all kinds of students, from international students to students with disabilities," he says. "Even though you have a disability, it's not the end of the world. We can work together and help others."

Peña has also memorized the campus map, says his mother, Mary Grace Dagdag, who now works as an instructional aide. "If there are new students with disabilities, he wants to become a peer mentor, too, to guide others," she says.

Dagdag adds that her son has accomplished so much, from growing up in the Philippines to immigrating to California as a teenager, developing artistic skills as a community college student and now navigating SJSU courses. Peña has set his sights on pursuing additional credentials and degrees and hopes to expand opportunities for others. His enthusiasm is infectious, says Sudha Krishnan, assistant professor of special education at SJSU and SPARTANS OCLS coordinator. She runs the program alongside Jihyun Lee, associate professor of kinesiology.

Peña plans to participate in the December commencement ceremony for the Connie L. Lurie College of Education to receive his Occupational Career Life Studies Certificate. Dagdag and their extended family will be in attendance.

"It's a big deal for all of us," says Dagdag. "It represents 25 years of hard work for me, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I'm so proud of my son."

Peña's message for his peers is simple but powerful: "Even if you face difficult challenges with classes, you should always take the challenge, no matter what. Don't give up."

SJSU commencement ceremonies take place December 17-18 at the Provident Credit Union Event Center. Learn more about commencement.