A point of pride for Lake County, a “Beacon” of light for aspiring minds, Beacon College continues to receive accolades on the national academic front.
For the second consecutive year, Beacon College has been recognized as one of the world’s leading innovators in supporting people with disabilities, earning a coveted spot on the Forbes Accessibility 200 list.
The Leesburg-based institution, known as the nation’s first accredited baccalaureate college dedicated exclusively to educating neurodivergent students, is one of only six higher education institutions globally to make the cut. The distinction places Beacon alongside international tech and education powerhouses, including MIT, Apple, Google and Microsoft.
Forbes compiled the prestigious list after consulting with more than 700 experts and an advisory panel to identify organizations making the most significant impact on accessibility across many sectors, from education to AI-driven robotics.
“This international recognition reflects Beacon’s devotion to educating students with learning differences combined with unparalleled support services for our students,” Beacon College President Dr. George Hagerty said. “The honor affirms the hard work of Beacon students and the tireless dedication of our faculty and staff to their success.”
A holistic model for inclusive education
Beacon’s inclusion on the Forbes list highlights its highly specialized approach to higher education for students with learning disabilities, ADHD and dyslexia.
A cornerstone of the college’s framework is its “Triadic Developmental Model,” an integrated approach that connects every student with a three-member support team to guide them through their academic journey and campus life.
Support begins even before enrollment, with the college’s Center for College Readiness offering transition programs like summer experiences and dual enrollment for high school students.
Beyond standard academic advising, Beacon embeds universal accommodations directly into all of its programs. Students have access to a wide array of resources, including:
This latest accolade from Forbes is part of a growing wave of national recognition for the college’s inclusive mission.
Recently, Beacon secured the No. 21 spot among Regional Colleges in U.S. News & World Report, took the top ranking in Peterson’s Guide for “20 Great Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities,” and placed No. 1 in Best Value Schools’ rankings for similar programs.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Beacon College makes Forbes list for excellence in accessibility
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
