Lynn University has had the pleasure of Sandra Slomin’s friendship since 2008, when she created the Heart Award for the Comprehensive Support Program at Lynn University.
The need-based Heart Award covers tuition, fees and books for a freshman who shows potential for success, wants to take part in Lynn’s Institute for Achievement and Learning (IAL), but otherwise could not afford the cost of the specialized program.
Slomin also has served as the presenting sponsor for Lynn’s Transitions conference, an annual event for education leaders, guidance counselors, teachers, parents and students. It includes a wide range of topics to help students find the right college “fit” in order to make a smooth transition from high school to higher education.
“I appreciate the work of the Institute for Achievement and Learning … taking kids with special needs who don’t easily fit in an educational setting,” Slomin said. “I get them when they’re babies, and you [Lynn] get them when they’re ready to go out into the real world.”
Slomin is the founder/CEO of the Slomin Family Center in Delray Beach. The center opened its doors in July 2013 to provide educational, recreational and support services to individuals and families touched by autism and related disabilities.
Heart Award recipients express their appreciation through thank-you letters. “It’s because of those thank-you letters that I continue to give to this scholarship each year,” Slomin said. “They mean so much to me. I understand how important scholarships are and how costly it is to attend the program. I love hearing from the students.”
Slomin is an avid football fan and ardent supporter of her alma mater, Ohio State University. “It just seemed right that I also get involved in my community, so I support our local colleges too. I know the difference it can make.”
Technology helps students with learning differences
“Students, coaches and tutors of the Institute for Achievement and Learning have benefited from the iPad initiative,” said Shaun Exsteen, executive director of IAL. “Coaches have been able to have coaching sessions via FaceTime. The many imbedded assistive technological features—such as being able to listen to their books, record lectures while taking notes, translate speech to text—allow our students to have learning tools available to them at all times and not just within the IAL center.”
