Bruno Piroso ’15, Angelo Barrucci Jr. ’16, and Nigel Abduh ’17, graduates of Arcadia’s Raising Expectations for Academic Learning (REAL) Certificate, spoke at the Dreams Realized through Educational Aspirational Model (D.R.E.A.M.) Partnership’s 6th Annual “Living the Dream” event at Dixon University Center in Harrisburg on Sept. 25. 

Piroso, Barrucci, and Abduh presented on how  Arcadia’s REAL program has allowed them to start their own music/DJ business, the DREAM TEAM. They also provided music for the event and helped promote inclusive college programs that allowed them to participate in post-secondary education. 

Arcadia is one of several colleges and universities throughout Pennsylvania that works with D.R.E.A.M. to offer students with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to attend college classes and participate in college life while earning a two-year certificate. The REAL Certificate allows students to participate in the same learning environments available to same-age peers in an academic-, vocational- and social inclusion-focused program.

D.R.E.A.M. is a collaboration of parents and professionals focused on helping students with intellectual disabilities with post-secondary education certificate programs. Located in central Pennsylvania, the collaboration believes education can vastly expand each student’s options post-graduation.