Woman among first with Down Syndrome to graduate from a Colorado college

COLORADO -- Isabelle Woloson is among the first with an intellectual or developmental disability to graduate from a four-year Colorado college. Specifically, she is the first woman with down syndrome to make the accomplishment at the University of Northern Colorado, through the Goal Program.

"My heart was a little stiff, but when I crossed the stage, I felt like I had endless possibilities," says Isabelle.

Clips of Isabelle, posted on Instagram and Tik Tok by her sister, Audrey, now making its rounds on the Internet... Isabelle says, graduating was a full-circle moment.

In 2016, Senator John Hickenlooper signed into law Senate Bill 16-196: an inclusive higher education program that creates ways for people like Isabelle to attend college. Isabelle was in attendance to see the Senator sign the bill.

"After he signed it, I felt like I had many possibilities for college," says Isabelle.

Fast-forward five years, Isabelle has crossed the stage, earning her degree from UNC in Communications.

"We really see this so much as Isabelle really paving the way for many with intellectual disabilities that can now attend college, if they have the dream to," says Isabelle's mother, Eliza Woloson.

 "A lot of people didn't know that people with disabilities didn't have access to college previously," explains Audrey Woloson, Isabelle's sister.

"A lot of people were surprised by this,"

Now a proud UNC alumni, Isabelle is now planning her next steps.

"I think I want to be a life coach," she says, now settling into her new apartment, too.

"I want to help others. My full-on passion is helping others."

To read Senate Bill 16-196, click here.
For more information on Pathways to Inclusive Higher Education, click here.