[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-fc7b31e8-94d8-4560-b647-c33fa43cc805″ min_height=”827.9px” height=”798px” overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” custom_margin=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” custom_padding=”||0px|||” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-fc7b31e8-94d8-4560-b647-c33fa43cc805%22:%91%22background_color%22,%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” custom_margin=”-55px|auto|-74px|97px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|1px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-fc7b31e8-94d8-4560-b647-c33fa43cc805%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”10″ custom_padding=”6vw||6vw||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|30px|||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”|20px|||true|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”892de161-5a2f-4249-98ff-d25bc2af3976″ text_font=”Inter|200|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”22px” header_font=”Inter|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#592C88″ header_font_size=”52px” header_3_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” width=”100%” custom_margin=”-94px|11px|10px||false|false” custom_padding=”||14px|0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”31d9f222-ec89-40fd-abe9-4bed1e555365″ header_font=”Inter|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”55px” header_line_height=”1.2em” min_height=”256.8px” custom_margin=”||186px||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Project ELEVATE is an innovative interdisciplinary training grant at Western Carolina University designed to prepare future professionals to serve autistic children with intellectual disabilities, particularly those with moderate to severe support needs in rural Western North Carolina.<\/span><\/p>\n As the prevalence of autism continues to rise, many schools and community settings face significant shortages of highly trained professionals. Project ELEVATE addresses this need by preparing graduate students in Speech-Language Pathology, Special Education, and Psychology to work collaboratively using evidence-based practices.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n *We are aware of different preferences regarding identity-first and person-first language. We use both on this website.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/autismwcu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/412\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-28-at-2.44.47-PM.png” alt=”Decorative image of WCU clock tower” title_text=”Screenshot 2026-03-28 at 2.44.47\u202fPM” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|-10vw|||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”|0vw|||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”|0vw|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Services” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”509px” custom_margin=”||auto||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95.4%” max_width=”1815px” min_height=”511.2px” height=”493px” custom_margin=”|auto|-172px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/autismwcu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/412\/2026\/03\/Project-ELEVATE-INFO.mp4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”31d9f222-ec89-40fd-abe9-4bed1e555365″ text_font_size=”27px” header_font=”Inter|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”72px” header_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”auto||auto||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n About Project ELEVATE<\/strong><\/p>\n Learn more about Project ELEVATE from the program leaders and faculty across disciplines who developed it. In this video, they share the project’s goals, the collaborative approach behind the program, and how it prepares students to support individuals with autism and their families.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Services” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”584px” custom_margin=”-97px|auto|auto|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”117px|1px|||false|false” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95.4%” max_width=”1815px” min_height=”511.2px” height=”639px” custom_margin=”37px|auto|-251px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/autismwcu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/412\/2026\/03\/20260226-CEAP-Intern-MacKenzie-Sawyer-46-copy-medium.jpg” alt=”Educator engaging with students during a small-group learning activity” title_text=”MacKenzie Sawyer” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”31d9f222-ec89-40fd-abe9-4bed1e555365″ text_font_size=”27px” header_font=”Inter|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”72px” header_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”auto||auto||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Our Mission<\/strong><\/p>\n Project ELEVATE\u2019s mission is to improve outcomes for autistic children with high-intensity needs by preparing professionals who are equipped to provide high-quality, evidence-based, and team-based services<\/p>\n \n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|300|||||||” text_font_size=”27px” width=”100%” max_width=”81%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|3px||14px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Project Emphasizes:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Features” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”633.2px” custom_margin=”71px||auto||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”1e8e842f-a106-4431-9362-29d937289fc2″ text_text_color=”#592C88″ text_font_size=”22px” header_font=”Inter|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”72px” header_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_text_color=”#592C88″ header_2_font_size=”26px” header_2_line_height=”1em” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n For questions or additional information, please contact your discipline.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”1993px” min_height=”100px” custom_margin=”-26px||-1px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”7px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-ee89fd9f-afc5-4939-817c-0a17ac90288c” custom_padding=”40px|40px|40px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-ee89fd9f-afc5-4939-817c-0a17ac90288c%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/autismwcu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/412\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-23-at-10.09.26-AM.png” alt=”Photo of Dr. Johanna Price ” title_text=”Screenshot 2026-03-23 at 10.09.26\u202fAM” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”120px” min_height=”120px” max_height=”289px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”17fbb215-bc07-4c6b-a15a-e11b46ec8379″ text_font_size=”21px” header_font=”Inter|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”72px” header_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_font_size=”30px” header_3_font_size=”22px” header_3_line_height=”1em” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Dr. Johanna Price<\/p>\n jprice@wcu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n \n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.wcu.edu\/learn\/departments-schools-colleges\/HHS\/csd\/index.aspx” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Learn More” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”a6c043fc-d3b0-4f4d-820e-1cc8452ada2c” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-a13652f3-2793-4cb6-9d99-526eb1549d6a” custom_padding=”40px|40px|40px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-a13652f3-2793-4cb6-9d99-526eb1549d6a%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/autismwcu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/412\/2026\/03\/jmcampbell.jpg” alt=”Photo of Dr. Jon Campbell” title_text=”jmcampbell” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”120px” max_height=”200px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”17fbb215-bc07-4c6b-a15a-e11b46ec8379″ text_font_size=”21px” header_font=”Inter|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”72px” header_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_font_size=”31px” header_3_font_size=”22px” header_3_line_height=”1em” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Dr. Jon Campbell<\/p>\n jmcampbell@wcu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n \n \n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.wcu.edu\/learn\/programs\/psychology-bs\/index.aspx” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Learn More” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”a6c043fc-d3b0-4f4d-820e-1cc8452ada2c” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”||-1px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”40px|40px|40px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/autismwcu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/412\/2026\/04\/Untitled-design-1.png” alt=”Photo of Dr. Karena Cooper-Duffy” title_text=”Untitled design (1)” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”120px” max_height=”200px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”17fbb215-bc07-4c6b-a15a-e11b46ec8379″ text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1em” header_font=”Inter|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”72px” header_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_font_size=”30px” header_3_font_size=”22px” header_3_line_height=”1em” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Dr. Karena Cooper-Duffy<\/p>\n Principal Investigator<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
\n
Meet the Disciplines<\/h2>\n
Communication Sciences and Disorders<\/h2>\n
<\/h2>\n
<\/h2>\n
Psychology<\/h2>\n
<\/h2>\n
Special Education<\/h2>\n