FGCU’s R.I.S.E. program offers a shot at work and independence
- Laurie Dionne Babcock
- College of Education, Community, News, Student success
- Contributors: James Greco, Photos
8 – minute read
On his way to classes at Florida Gulf Coast University last year, Landon Evans and his mother, Paula Evans, would drive past Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club just north of campus. “That’s where you’re going to work,” she’d tell him.
Thanks to the FGCU R.I.S.E. program, it is. For six months, Evans has been interning at the golf club — his dream job — and impressing the staff with his heartfelt dedication.
R.I.S.E., which stands for Real Independence, Successful Employment, is Southwest Florida’s first university program for adults with intellectual disabilities. The two‑year certificate program, which celebrated its first commencement in 2023, offers students a university experience focused on gainful employment and independence.
“I didn’t think there was a program like this,” Evans says. “It’s a good experience for people that have disabilities to give them an option to go to college. It’s awesome because I got to meet all my new friends. I got to meet all my new professors, and I’ve had great professors. I love the FGCU R.I.S.E. program.”
The New Jersey native first heard about the program from his grandmother. He was excited about moving to the Sunshine State, he says, because “in New Jersey, it’s cold.”
‘Why would our students be any different?’
Students begin the program as part‑time learners, taking three courses taught by R.I.S.E. staff in the fall semester and two in the spring, while becoming active on campus and gradually integrating into traditional college classes. In their second year, students transition into paid or unpaid internships. After completing 41 credit hours, they earn an FGCU credential and leave with real‑world job experience.
Part of the College of Education, R.I.S.E. is one of 35 Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs supported by the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida.
“For so many young folks with intellectual disabilities, college is not something they really even consider or really see as an option,” says R.I.S.E. career development coordinator Nicholas Kutz (’16, special education and current doctoral student). “Many of our students have cousins and siblings and friends who graduate and they go to college. And why would our students be any different? R.I.S.E. gives them that opportunity to use the FGCU campus to learn how to be an adult. And the big focus of their second year is getting into the internships.”
At his mother’s suggestion, Evans told Kutz about his interest in working at Miromar Lakes. Although Kutz hadn’t previously worked with the club as an intern site or employer before, he promised Evans — and his mom — that he’d look into it.
“I thought it was possible. I had it in my head that we could maybe work it out,” Evans says.
Partnering with an FGCU neighbor
Kutz approached Ken McMaster, the golf club’s general manager, about becoming a R.I.S.E. intern site. Over the years, McMaster has hired many FGCU students and alumni, typically from the professional golf management program in the Lutgert College of Business. But Evans was the first R.I.S.E. student.
For McMaster and his team, bringing Evans on board meant expanding their idea of what an intern could be. McMaster and Kutz talked through what support would look like on the job — from clear training expectations and consistent routines to open communication between the club and the R.I.S.E. staff — to ensure Evans could thrive from day one.
“Landon’s a great example of just how, when everything works, everything works,” says Kutz. “Not only learning the specific skills, but also just what it means to be an employee, what it looks like to be a part of a team and what it looks like to be a successful part of a team.”
Evans’ primary intern duties include setting up golf balls on the driving range, retrieving them from sand traps, washing golf carts and driving the range picker, a specialized utility vehicle that efficiently collects balls from the driving range.
“It’s my dream job, and I like all my coworkers,” Evans says.
One of those coworkers is James Tamasy (’20, professional golf management). He has worked at the club since his first year at FGCU and is now an assistant golf professional there. He and a coworker oversaw Evans’ training under McMaster’s supervision.
“I did not actually know the R.I.S.E. program existed until we got Landon. I think it’s a great program,” Tamasy says. “Our goal with Landon was to set him up for success right from the start. If I tell him how to do something, he doesn’t really need any help going forward. He’s a go-getter. We’re really thrilled to have him, and he’s done a great job.”
Baker Fredal agrees. He’s a junior majoring in professional golf management and in his third year as an intern at the club.
“It’s cool to see someone with Landon’s passion,” says Fredal. “From the first day, just talking to him, he loved golf. He was so excited to be here, and that’s always a refreshing feeling in a work environment.”
For Kutz, those moments of connection and growth are exactly what the R.I.S.E. program is designed to foster — opportunities where students can turn their interests into meaningful work and prove what’s possible when given the chance.
Rising to the challenge
As Evans neared the end of his college experience, he had a message for others considering applying to FGCU’s program.
“I would like you to apply to the R.I.S.E. program because the R.I.S.E. program is awesome, and maybe one of you guys that apply will get this job as an intern [at Miromar Lakes],” he says.
The program accepts 10 students each year, based on the current ability to guarantee an internship in their second year. Kutz is actively seeking more community partners to serve as internship sites.
In addition to their special R.I.S.E. graduation ceremony May 1, class members walked with other FGCU grads at the 2 p.m. May 2 commencement — one of five ceremonies held this year.
“R.I.S.E. students walk with the College of Education graduates, right after the undergrads. This is typically a really awesome moment as the dean reads a little piece about the program, and then they walk right after. They have always gotten a big standing ovation,” Kutz says.
“Our students are amazing, our graduates are amazing, and you get a little bit more than just an intern — you get an employee and somebody who’s coming with a lot of support behind them.”
That support paid off for Evans. During the R.I.S.E. graduation ceremony, McMaster surprised him with an offer of full-time employment at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club.
“I feel awesome,” Evans says. “My mom’s very super proud of me.”
