Jessica Loya
  • Psychology
  • Class of 2015
  • Johns Island, SC

Citadel cadets in Zucker Family School of Education help lead S.C. organization to national recognition

2015 May 6

A group of cadets at The Citadel wanted to promote awareness and support for the education of people with learning disabilities, their families, and those who teach them. That goal led them to form a student club called the Student Learning Disabilities Association of The Citadel (SLDAC). They collaborated with the South Carolina chapter of the Learning Disabilities Association of America.

The Citadel LDA chapter has 16 members and operates under the same rules and policies as LDA America.

Cadet Jessica Loya, of Johns Island, SC, is a member of the newly formed SLDAC. Loya is a member of the Class of 2015 and will earn a B.A. in Psychology.

The cadets initiate and assist with campus and community programs supporting the education of people with learning disabilities, and club members include some Citadel students who have learning disabilities themselves.

"The cadets knew the idea was unique to The Citadel; however, they did not realize they were creating the first college club of its kind," said Citadel professor and club sponsor Tammy Graham, Ed.D. She is also a member of the board for the Learning Disabilities Association of South Carolina. "The result is that the state's chapter was recognized with a national award by LDA for having the first college student chapter in America."

According to the LDA, other colleges and university programs have begun to inquire about forming their own LDA college clubs. SLDAC will serve as a model for these programs.

"It was really exciting to be able to contribute to the national recognition of the state LDA as they have been great mentors and collaborators," said Kyle Wise, a graduating senior who served as vice president of the club in addition to student teaching and serving as chair of The Citadel's Honor Committee. "Most of our officers are seniors heading to their next step as educators, but we know our younger classmates in the Corps will continue with this mission."