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After graduating from Peters Township High School in Pittsburgh, Abigail “Abbey” Donina had to choose between two universities: Slippery Rock in Butler County, Pennsylvania, or �鶹ӰԺ State. So, she did what most students do and toured both campuses.

But having a relative at Slippery Rock didn’t necessarily help with Abbey’s decision. “Slippery Rock seemed harder to get around campus. I talked to them about which program I would be in.”

Abbey then toured the �鶹ӰԺ Campus during the Career and Community Studies’ Open House, offered through the School of Lifespan, Development and Educational Sciences.

“I really liked the academic instructors and everyone I met in the CCS program at �鶹ӰԺ,” she said. “I felt like it was easier to get around campus, and �鶹ӰԺ State would be a little more helpful. It just felt like home.”

During her time at �鶹ӰԺ State Abbey got involved with numerous extracurriculars. She participated in the Center for Student Involvement’s Best Buddies, an international nonprofit fostering real-life friendships between students and others in nearby communities with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and the Council for Exceptional Children, a program dedicated to advocating for educational equity and societal accessibility for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

An avid singer, Abbey also auditioned for the at �鶹ӰԺ State and was a member of the church choir at University Parish Newman Center. She enjoys pop music; Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran are favorites.

She encourages other CCS students to get involved and make the most of their experience in the program.

When it came to coursework, she enjoyed all her classes but preferred the career-oriented ones so she could gain confidence and determine the necessary skills for finding a job in the real world.

During her time at the university, she landed an internship at in �鶹ӰԺ, Ohio, and another at the Child Development Center on the �鶹ӰԺ Campus. Over the summer, she worked at a local pre-school, childcare and learning center in Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania. After graduation, she worked full-time with toddlers at Bubbles.

“I have my own classroom where I teach 2- and 3-year-olds, and once they’re mature enough to do things on their own, we send them on to pre-school,” she said. “Sometimes I have an assistant, depending on the size of the class each day.”

Since she’s only been on the job for a year, Abbey admits that she’s still learning and growing as a teacher, but she has experienced a great deal of growth.

“I was really shy at first, but I’m more confident now and I found my voice,” she said. “And I have to talk to parents and tell them how the kids are doing. At work I always have a smile on my face and the kids are so excited to see me. They give me big hugs and they know they can always come to me if they need anything.”