Wright State’s partnership with College2Careers empowers disabled students for college and career success

Avery Tokarz, a second-year psychology major at Wright State University, is not only excelling in her studies, she is also helping to spotlight a vital resource for students with disabilities across Ohio.

The Beavercreek native is featured in a new promotional video for College2Careers, a statewide initiative that helps students with disabilities as they transition from college to meaningful careers.

She’s comfortable on film and glad to give back to the program that helps her and other students.

“I like being on camera,” Tokarz said, adding she has appeared in similar previous videos.

Filmed last fall, the video showcases Tokarz and other Ohio college students discussing their positive experiences with College2Careers, a part of the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities agency.

College2Careers operates on campuses around Ohio, ensuring that students with disabilities receive the support they need to complete their degrees, earn credentials and prepare for the workforce. On-campus counselors help students explore careers, use assistive technology, build resumes and prepare for interviews, find internships and permanent jobs and navigate OhioMeansJobs resources.

“They have helped me tremendously,” said Tokarz, who has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a progressive neurological condition. “They’ve been really supportive. I’ve felt welcomed and accommodated.”

Wright State’s partnership with College2Careers provides students like psychology major Avery Tokarz with comprehensive support to complete their degrees, earn credentials and prepare for employment opportunities. (Photo courtesy of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities)

At Wright State, Tokarz is one of about 100 students who work with Philip Penrod, a senior vocational rehabilitation counselor embedded in the Office of Disability Services. Penrod works alongside another counselor supporting 30 additional students.

“We’re here to help the students,” Penrod said. “We can support them financially to some extent. I also help transition them from education programs to employment and with internship opportunities. We look at each student’s needs and interests to identify what they need to be successful.”

Some students, like Tokarz, have benefited from College2Careers since high school, receiving consistent guidance as they move toward their career goals.

“(We’re here for) every individual in Ohio who has a disability and is in need of services from us to obtain employment or maintain employment,” Penrod said.

Wright State was one of the first universities in the state to partner with College2Careers, reflecting its long-standing commitment to ensuring campus environments are designed to be accessible and welcoming from the outset. That commitment continues to shape policy and practice across the university.

“Wright State was a founding partner; we helped shape the foundation of this effort,” said Tom Webb, associate vice president of accessibility and the university’s ADA/504 coordinator. “Rather than responding only when challenges arise, we focus on proactive strategies that allow all students to engage, participate, and succeed from the beginning.”

Wright State’s successful collaboration was recently highlighted in the College2Careers promotional video, and Webb has been invited to share insights about the program’s effectiveness at a national conference this summer.

“This is a powerful reminder that when systems are designed thoughtfully, students don’t just get by, they thrive,” Webb said.

Tokarz is expected to graduate in the spring of 2027 and then plans to pursue a Ph.D. Her goal is to become a therapist, possibly with her own practice.

She described Wright State as a welcoming place for students with disabilities.

“I hope people will see that there are resources they can use, and they don’t have to feel like they can’t do anything because they’re disabled,” Tokarz said.

Learn more about College2Careers

Students interested in learning more about College2Careers can contact:

• Wright State’s Office of Disability Services: 937-775-5680 or disability_services@wright.edu
• Phil Penrod, senior vocational rehabilitation counselor: 937-776-7679 or penrod@ood.ohio.gov
• Visit: OODWorks.com