A new group of about a dozen 19- to 26-year olds has become part of the daily rhythm at North Central Michigan College as they dine at the Iron Horse Cafe, work in the kitchen, help clean computer labs, and traverse the campus. In fact, most people would likely assume they are students at the Petoskey college.

And that’s the whole point.

While these students are college age, they are part of the adult transition program operated by Char-Em ISD’s special education department. New this school year, the program moved from Taylor School to the college, giving these young adults with disabilities the chance to experience college life with their same-age peers while building skills for work and independence.  

This unique partnership between the ISD and NCMC was the idea of ISD special education teacher Devin Wise, who wanted her students to experience daily life amongst their peers while learning crucial life skills. It kicked off in September and has exceeded expectations, Wise said.

“It is so great to look out and see our students having lunch with NCMC college students, asking them questions, and becoming more social,” said Wise. “Everyone at the college has been so welcoming and accepting.”

The ISD operates two adult transition programs for 18-26 year olds with disabilities; one in Petoskey and one in East Jordan, at what is known as the Mill Street campus. When the Petoskey classroom operated out of Taylor School, Wise was accustomed to taking students to job sites throughout the community each week, including at NCMC – which is where the idea clicked to inquire about a classroom.

“Our students are already familiar with the college, from coming here for work each week, some for several years now,” said Wise. “I thought, wouldn’t it be so great if the college could be our home base?”

She presented her idea to the ISD’s Director of Special Education, Lauren Ringle, and Superintendent Scott Koziol. Both got to work making it a reality.

“Our biggest goal of the transition program is to set these young adults for as much independence as possible,” said Ringle. “We also want them to have experiences with their same-age peers, which is crucial to any young adult’s development. We want them to be able to contribute to their communities, care for themselves, and develop meaningful relationships. This arrangement is allowing our staff to do these things for our students.”

Student Justin Miller, age 20, said he is enjoying the new NCMC classroom location and the new experiences it has brought. “I enjoy learning all of this,” said Justin, who also works at B.C. Pizza in Petoskey helping prep bags for deliveries with napkins and plastic silverware.  “It feels different here, but good.”

Rowan Tewksbury, 19, is known by ISD staff for the elaborate and beautiful drawings he creates for the annual ISD holiday card; he has won a contest for the cover artwork several times. He said he is enjoying the new college location and meeting new friends in particular – to which a fellow student chimes in, “and talking to girls!” The two shared a laugh, and Rowan agreed.

“I like being here. I like clearing tables and putting the liners in the boxes for the Iron Horse Cafe,” Rowan said.

Student Lynnae Maillefer, age 25, has been in the transition program for several years. She said she was nervous to make the change to the college classroom location, but now, several months later, she is comfortable and happy at NCMC.

“I really like vacuuming,” said Lynnae. “I also really like being around the other students and talking to different people.”

Wise has arranged for the students to work in several locations at the college, including at the Iron Horse Cafe where they prep to-go boxes with paper liners and also wash dishes. They also help gather recycling from around the college’s buildings, and some of the students clean computers and keyboards in certain classrooms for the IT department.

The college also allows the students to utilize an empty apartment once a week where their instructors and classroom assistants teach them life skills such as cleaning, tending to bathrooms, making beds, and doing laundry. 

When the students aren’t working or practicing for independent life in the apartment, Wise and her teaching assistants are working with them in a spacious classroom that the ISD now leases from NCMC, located in the same space as the Iron Horse Cafe. Each week day, staff engage the students in various activities that are aligned to promote independence, such as: 

• Exploring career paths and how to be a good employee and how to properly maintain their living spaces;
• Understanding and accessing community resources like the library, the hardware store, and getting a license at the Secretary of State; 
• Developing interpersonal skills like empathy, managing stress, and setting personal goals; and 
• Exploring hobbies such as dancing, bowling, board and card games, and socializing with friends.

“We want our community to know that their support of our special education millage and our career and technical education millage both support the transition programs, which are making a huge difference in the lives of these young adults and their families,” said Koziol, the ISD superintendent. “Our students come from our local school districts. They and their families are members of our community, and we care about them very much and want to see them succeed.”

Koziol said one Career Prep Specialist from the ISD’s Career and Technical Education staff is assigned solely to work with adult transition students in helping them find employment opportunities that fit their abilities. This is a new position that began this school year, 2025-26.

Koziol also pointed to the generosity of North Central Michigan College and its president, Dr. David Roland Finley, who jumped at the chance to support the program and the students. 

“The college has been a tremendous partner to us in this endeavor,” said Koziol. “It could not be a better fit, and we are so grateful for the welcoming community that has embraced our students at North Central.”

Finley said the students have become integrated as part of the Timberwolf community over the past several months. 

“North Central is very happy with this new Char-Em partnership. It’s a win-win, and I am proud of our conference services team at the college for seeing the possibilities,” Finley said. “We are pleased to have the Char-Em transition students as members of our Timberwolf community. We are learning and working together.”

Transition student Kai Whitley, 20, is one of those new Timberwolves. He said he was nervous to make the change at first, but he has come to greatly enjoy his weekdays spent at NCMC. While taking a load of boxes from the kitchen outside to the recycling bins, he said how much he likes having jobs to do at the college and meeting new people regularly.

“I’ve learned a lot,” said Kai. “It has been great, making the change and coming here. My favorite job so far is doing the liners for the boxes for the cafe. I was very new at it, and now I’ve gotten a little better at it.”

Watching the students navigate through the change has been exciting for Wise as she sees her students continue to develop life skills and peer friendships with students from all walks of life.

“It has been absolutely amazing to be part of this,” she said. “We didn’t know what to expect, and it’s exceeded our expectations in every way. The students and the staff at NCMC have been so accepting and welcoming.”

 

 

Who takes part in Char-Em ISD’s Transition Programs?

Students in the ISD’s transition programs are between the ages of 18 and 26 who have not received a high school diploma. Upon leaving the program, students receive a certificate of completion (not high school diploma). Students should be interested in learning about opportunities to enhance their lives through developing life skills and employability skills. The programs are not a continuation of traditional school learning (math, English, science, etc.) but rather the learning focuses on setting these young adults up for as much independence as possible.

To help students reach their goals, Char-Em ISD employs full-time teaching staff and also partners with a number of agencies, such as Michigan State University Extension, Disability Network, Community Mental Health, and Michigan Rehabilitative Services.

Community entities have stepped up to support the students as well, including B.C. Pizza in Petoskey, Home Depot, and Louie’s in Alanson, noted teacher Devin Wise.