About Longhorn TIES

Over the past few years, campus partners noted an increase in request for support services for students with complex needs such as autism. In 2019, the Vice President for Student Affairs recommended an initiative to increase support and awareness for individuals who identify with being on the autism spectrum. In October 2019, the Longhorn TIES (Transition, Illuminate, Empower, Success) initiative was created as a way to foster environments that endorse student success and formulate pathways connecting students with the needed resources to enrich the overall student experience.

Mission

Longhorn TIES seeks to enhance the student experience for students who identify as being on the autism spectrum or neurodivergent through connections and training starting with the new student orientation process and continuing throughout the student’s academic career.

Strategic Goals

Longhorn TIES focuses on improving and impacting the student experience through self-advocacy, connections and training.

Self-Advocacy:

-Creating pathways for students to develop their academic, interpersonal and professional skill set.

Connections:

-Partner with internal and external stakeholders to formulate a pathway where knowledge and information can be shared to impact the educational experience which will lead to student success.

Trainings:

-Establish innovative programs and initiatives that support ongoing education opportunities for students, faculty, staff and student leaders.

Student Experience:

-Generate an environment that promotes personal and professional development such as self-advocacy, academic, social and career training.