DECEMBER 2021 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 63
Landmark College’s Online Programs Transform
Education for Students Who Learn Differently
Landmark College continues to
enhance its online programs for
students with learning differences
(LD), including dyslexia, attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
autism, and executive function
challenges.
LC was established in November
1983 in Putney, Vt., by Harvard-trained educator Dr. Charles
Drake, and opened its doors to its first 77 students in 1985. Drake,
who had severe dyslexia, knew the struggles of kids with LD
and had founded the Landmark School for children with such
diagnoses in Prides Crossing, Mass. in 1971.
Based on its success, he decided to start a college for
students with LD, and Landmark College was born. We recently
interviewed Tabitha A. Mancini, director of customer relations
and outreach, online education at Landmark College, who
discussed the school’s online programs for students with LD
and more.
What kind of online programs are being offered by
Landmark College for students now? We have two main
programs: High School Online Dual Enrollment and Online
College START. Dual Enrollment is available to high school
juniors, seniors and gap-year students with LD who want to
build a strong foundation for their transition to college and earn
college credits early. It offers 14 courses across many disciplines
during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. College START
is an experience for college-capable students who can access
and understand college-level texts and concepts. Students
with LD who are interested in a fully online first-year college
experience are an ideal fit. For more information about the two
programs, visit lconline.landmark.edu/programs-for-parentsand
students
Are there any new programs? College START is brand new
and will start in the spring semester, then be offered again in
fall. Online Dual Enrollment continues to develop new courses
such as Personal Finance and Science of Wellness. Both of these
fill quickly. In the future, we plan to offer online associate and
bachelor programs.
Why did LC pick Canvas as its online learning platform?
Canvas is committed to 508 compliance so it makes our job
easier. At a minimum, all instructors on campus have their course
descriptions, syllabus and grading through Canvas.
Are there any specific challenges your students are facing
now related to the pandemic? Because our comprehensive
living-learning model of support is why students with LD are so
successful here, it was a challenge adapting some of the social
and emotional scaffolding when we first had to suspend campus
operations in the spring of 2020. We were able to streamline a
lot of these elements moving into our summer programs and
the subsequent fall semester, which is what actually led to the
creation of College START.
Are you doing any new social media initiatives and
other types of advertising/marketing? LC Online (lconline.
landmark.edu) is in itself a new marketing initiative. As the
College continues to develop new online programs, it made
sense to develop this umbrella brand that included offerings
for education professionals as well as high school and collegeage
learners. Our advertising is most effective when sharing
family experiences. In December, we are releasing a new Dual
Enrollment video that utilizes animated characters but features
testimonials from actual students.
Can you tell readers a bit about yourself and what you
do in your role? I work to expand our Online Dual Enrollment
program via individual students and by developing partnerships
with schools. I have been working in the field of disabilities and
higher education for about 10 years. My interest in the field
grew out of my own educational experiences of being a person
who is dyslexic and with ADHD and my strong background in
advocacy work and activism.
Tabitha A. Mancini
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
/landmark.edu
