Program History
For more than a decade, Villa’s Achieve Program has supported students with learning differences as they pursue a college degree.
In high school, students with learning differences can receive a high level of support. Once they get to college, that support is no longer available, making it difficult for them to adjust to the increased academic demands, navigate campus life, and grow as individuals.
The Achieve Program was designed to provide continued support, making it easier for them to not only transition into college, but make the most of their experience. Students receive personalized academic support while immersing themselves in campus life, building confidence, and preparing for life after college.
While all colleges and universities are required to provide basic accommodations to students with learning differences, the services provided by Achieve go far beyond what’s legally required. At the start of each semester, Achieve staff meets with each student one-on-one and works with them to develop a plan of action that facilitates success. Through individualized academic coaching, essential life skill development, assistive technology, and personalized career-readiness support, Achieve students make the grade while flourishing as young adults.
More than 10 years later, Achieve continues to be Western New York’s only comprehensive support program for students with learning differences. The program continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of our students and the demands of the job market.
The New Achieve Center
In 2024, the Achieve Program was relocated into the Scott Bieler Center for Academic Excellence. Located on the ground floor, the Achieve Center provides quiet workspaces, dedicated classrooms for learning sessions, assistive-technology workstations, a sensory-inclusive area, and lounges for study or informal gathering.
Staff offices can be found here, too, allowing for real-time responses to student needs and more consistent communication about progress and goals. Students don’t have to navigate multiple offices across campus to find help. Instead, they experience a welcoming, familiar environment where trusted staff are always nearby, creating stronger relationships, faster problem-solving, and a more continuous, cohesive support system.
