Angie Reinoehl/MDN The 2024 ASTEP graduates are, from left to right, Maison McDowall, Matthew Westereng and Marisa Giese.

Three graduates completed the Advancing Students Toward Education and Employment Program (ASTEP) and received their certificates at a graduation ceremony on Thursday morning, setting the course for the next chapter of their lives.

ASTEP is a three-year program that facilitates students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to earn degrees or certifications from Dakota College at Bottineau through a partnership with Minot State University that is made possible by the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities (NDCPD).

ASTEP students work on building their skills in academics, employment and independent living, in addition to gaining social skills and self-determination to achieve their goals.

Matthew Westereng, who graduated with an ASTEP Certificate, has enjoyed studying history, government and the economy. He works at Roosevelt Park Zoo, feeding the animals, and as a customer service representative at SCHEELS.

When he’s not working, he enjoys karaoke at the Beaver Dam at MSU with his friends and watching sports. He is known for his sense of humor, which he said he acquired from watching his favorite comedy films and television shows.

While working on his independent living skills, he has been studying with his student mentors for his driver’s permit test, which he is planning to take this summer. After graduation he is going to move home to save money to get into his own apartment.

“My four years here has been one of the best experiences of my life,” Westereng said during his remarks at the ASTEP graduation ceremony.

Westereng’s father, Mark Westereng, said his son’s independence, patience and socialization skills have developed exponentially through his time in ASTEP.

“The best thing we ever heard while he was going to school here was hearing, ‘I got this,'” Mark Westereng said. “He likes his independence, so that’s great, and when he was younger you don’t know that that’ll ever occur. So knowing that it’s given him the exposure to say, ‘Hey, I’m OK on my own. I’ll be OK on my own,’ that’s been the growth that we’ve seen.

“The big thing we’re hoping is that he is able to financially sustain himself so he doesn’t have to be on any government programs. That would be a success. So, we don’t know if that’s going to happen but you don’t close that lid – don’t say it’s not going to happen and there’s just no limits,” he said.

Maison McDowall graduated with an associate of applied science degree in paraprofessional education and early childhood education. She works at Little Magic Daycare and said she enjoys working with little children. In her spare time, she enjoys walking the mall, cooking and dancing. She also participates in Cru, a faith-based club at MSU.

Upon graduation, she will move back home to Bismarck and resume working at the daycare where she worked before moving to Minot.

McDowall’s mother, Bobbi McDowall, said she is incredibly proud of her daughter for graduating college. Watching her daughter grow in her independence, Bobbi McDowall said Maison has become more accountable with her tasks, and she hopes to see her continue to flourish and enjoy life.

Marisa Giese earned a certificate in technical studies in addition to her ASTEP certificate. She lives in her own apartment and works as a stocker at Menards. She said she has enjoyed hanging out with her friends and attending the bonfires at MSU. In her spare time she enjoys dancing and making videos to post on social media.

“I don’t see three people with disabilities. I see three young people who are going to go out there and change the world one way or another,” said Larry Giese, Marisa Giese’s father.

“You’ve done something that’s really important here in this world,” Lori Garnes, executive director of NDCPD, told the graduates. “Most people didn’t think that you were going to go to college, and if they did think you were going to go to college they didn’t think you were going to graduate. They just didn’t think that you were able to do that. And you know what? Not many people have done what you’ve done.

“Somewhere along the line, people told your parents that you weren’t going to be as successful as other people. They were wrong,” she said. “You did all the things that every college student at every university does, but you did something even more than that. You paved the way for other people with developmental disabilities to be successful in going to college. There are not many people who’ve done what you did.”