The Embark Experience

Embark was designed with input from a diverse team of professionals and individuals with lived experience. The Embark design team includes current Penn State students on the autism spectrum, educational psychologists, Penn State faculty members, Student Disability Resources professionals, and student success professionals. We take this collaborative approach to design the program to be research-informed as well as informed by the real experiences of Penn State students on the autism spectrum. 

Program Overview:

During the program, you will live and dine on campus, which allows you to experience aspects of student life before the start of your first semester. The Embark curriculum also includes a focus on this part of the student experience to consider how to make the most of life on campus.

You will attend autism-informed sessions designed to help you create a personalized plan for achieving your academic goals at Penn State. These sessions include introductions to campus resources, learning about support systems available, and reflecting on the strategies and environments that have supported your success in the past.

The program will also offer optional activities that allow you to experience the social and community aspects of Penn State and to connect with other students.

Cost: 

The program tuition is $2,700, which includes housing, meals, all program sessions, and optional evening and community activities offered throughout the week.

If you need to cancel for any reason, a full refund will be provided for cancellations made before April 3rd. Because the program is limited to 35 incoming students, we are not able to offer refunds for cancellations after this date.

Group Size:

Embark will accept up to 35 students, and participation is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Autism is referred to as a spectrum because it includes a diverse community of individuals and experiences. Embark brings students together through the shared experience of being incoming first-year Penn State students, while also recognizing and supporting individual differences. The program’s small group size allows staff and peer coaches to get to know students and provide more personalized support throughout the week. This smaller group also helps students build connections more naturally with peers who are beginning their Penn State journey at the same time.

Sensory and Social Accommodations:

The Embark learning environment is designed with the goal of allowing for multiple modalities of learning and participation. Program activities are structured with an awareness of sensory needs and differences in how students engage with new environments.

When possible, sessions will include options such as quieter spaces, opportunities for breaks, and flexibility in how students participate in group activities.

Embark also recognizes that social engagement can look different for different people. Students are encouraged to participate in ways that feel comfortable to them, and many activities offer different levels of social interaction so students can gradually build connections with peers.

Staff and undergraduate peer coaches are trained to support a respectful and supportive environment where individual needs and differences are recognized.

Dates and Locations:

Embark will take place June 7 – June 12 on the Penn State University Park campus.
The program will begin on June 7 at 12:00 p.m. with an opening lunch. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend the first day. During the afternoon, there will be dedicated sessions for parents and caregivers focused on navigating their own transition to supporting a college student and learning about campus resources available to assist them.

Throughout the week, you will live in the residence halls and eat in the dining commons, allowing you to experience campus living before the start of the fall semester. A key goal of Embark is to support students as they transition to living on campus, and learning how to navigate Penn State housing and dining services will be an important part of the week’s experience. Additional details about residence hall check-in and program logistics will be provided to accepted students prior to the start of the program.

Each day will include a mix of structured sessions, campus exploration, small group conversations, optional social activities, and open time when you can relax, rest, or socialize. The schedule is designed to provide time for learning, connection with peers, and opportunities to experience different aspects of campus life without overwhelming anyone with too much information or social engagement.

The program will conclude at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, following breakfast and a closing meeting.

Continuing Support Beyond Embark: 

Embark is designed to support you at the beginning of your Penn State journey, helping you prepare for the years of discovery and learning ahead.

Throughout Embark, you will have opportunities to meet with campus professionals and learn about services, resources, and opportunities that can support you throughout your time at Penn State. Embark helps you begin building relationships with the communities and professionals who can be part of your support team during your college experience.

The goal is to ensure that you leave Embark knowing where to go, who you can connect with, and how to find support when questions arise throughout your Penn State journey.

Embark Design and Leadership Team:

Embark has been developed through collaboration among faculty and professionals in the Penn State College of Education, whose research and practice focus on supporting students on the autism spectrum and promoting student success in higher education. The program reflects a shared commitment to creating a thoughtful and supportive transition experience for incoming students.

The Embark team also works in close collaboration with professionals from Student Disability Resources (SDR) at Penn State. SDR staff bring extensive experience supporting current Penn State students on the autism spectrum and play an important role in helping students understand the services and accommodations available to them as they begin their college experience.

The Embark team also includes trained peer coaches who are undergraduate students in the College of Education. These peer coaches receive training in coaching practices and in supporting peers on the autism spectrum. During the program, they serve as mentors, guides, and partners in helping students navigate the Embark experience and begin building connections within the Penn State community.

Current Penn State students on the autism spectrum have also contributed to the design and development of the program. Their perspectives and experiences have been especially valuable in shaping Embark in ways that reflect the real needs and insights of students navigating university life.

Embark will launch for the first time in 2026. As the program grows, it is our hope to collaborate with past Embark participants as mentors and contributors, helping future students prepare for their own Penn State journeys while continuing to strengthen and improve the program.