Navigators to Success text with map background and sailing ship

Navigators to Success Program

Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The Navigators to Success program at Eastern Florida State College is uniquely designed to fit the needs of students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their transition to college life. Eighty percent of students with ASD have a GPA of 3.0 or higher (with 3.7 being the average), yet research suggests that only 39% of college students with ASD graduate. Students with ASD have so much potential, but often find it difficult to navigate the college atmosphere.

Apply for Summer 2025 Navigators to Success Program

The deadline to apply is Thursday, June 12, 2025.
Decisions on acceptance will be emailed by June 19, 2025.

Click to Apply Now for Summer 2025

This is a transition program that is held each summer to support new, incoming, dual-enrolled, and first-time college students on the Autism Spectrum. The free program takes place over four weeks and focuses on specific areas such as social excellence, adaptation and regulation, time management and goal setting, career planning, and classroom and campus exploration. Information about future opportunities will be shared here when available.

Students will engage in a variety of activities, including workshops, guest speakers, practical application of presented topics, and weekly gaming tournaments — plus explore college orientation materials, participate in social exercises and skills training, as well as academic pathway exploration and more. Through this program, students will not only learn but also have fun and build a sense of community as they get ready to start College classes.

When: Mondays - Thursdays, July 7 - 31, 2025, 9 AM to 12 PM
Where: Melbourne Campus

Sample Weekly Schedule:

  • Mondays: Workshop and Presentation
  • Tuesdays: Skills practice
  • Wednesdays: EFSC Guest Speaker and a fun activity
  • Thursdays: Gaming tournament, snacks, and one-on-one coaching

Topics Covered:

  • Social Excellence: Explore student life and campus community engagement.
  • Adaptation & Regulation: Gain skills for support-seeking and coping in college.
  • Time Management & Goal Setting: Learn strategies for successful college planning and structure.
  • Career Planning: Discover and expand on career interests through academic pathway exploration.
  • Classroom & Campus Exploration: Navigate the waves of EFSC with expert guidance.

For questions about the program, contact Lisa Casillas at casillasl@easternflorida.edu or 321-433-5939.

Putting Research into Action

This program was developed based on the University of Florida doctoral dissertation of Dr. Barbara Kennedy, EFSC's Dean of Students, who still supervises Navigators to Success and helps plan the summer session.

View more photos in the EFSC Flickr Album.

A group of diverse Navigators students pose for a picture with Dr. Phil Simpson at EFSC near the front of a classroom projector screen.

Autism Support Resources

Use the links below to access local and national resource options.