Local SUNY Orange Student on Autism Spectrum Achieves Dean’s List in Innovative BRIDGES Program

Adam Gerard, a student at SUNY Orange, has been named to the College’s Fall 2023 Dean’s List with a 3.92 GPA. Gerard, who is on the autism spectrum, aims to become a writer and start his own company, AZG Independent Media Company. He is part of the BRIDGES Hybrid Pathway program, designed for students with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) who seek a degree with additional support.

Gerard studies screenwriting and acting, focusing on storytelling and emotional expression. His dedication to his studies helps him align his coursework with his career goals. The Hybrid Pathway program at SUNY Orange offers a supportive environment that helps students like Gerard succeed academically and personally.

Before this program, Gerard graduated from Suffern High School and completed the SUNY Orange Traditional BRIDGES Pathway program. This earlier program helped him develop basic adult skills and audit college classes, preparing him for the Hybrid Pathway. His transition was supported by faculty members who saw his potential.

The Hybrid Pathway was partly developed based on Gerard’s experiences. Sara Wilbur-Mesic, the BRIDGES Academic Coordinator, and Professor Hanna Sawka were inspired by Gerard’s commitment and potential in their classes. Their support led to the creation of this specialized program to help students with ID/DD meet their academic goals.

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