EXCEL Alumni

Our Program

The EXCEL Alumni Program was established to sustain and enhance the gains of the EXCEL Program at Georgia Tech. The goal is for alumni of the EXCEL Program to maintain their social networks, career development, health, and independent living skills while continuing to grow in all of the dimensions of their life.

The program provides both in-person and virtual events to serve our graduates as they disperse across the nation and world while building community. The EXCEL Alumni Program values the relationships adults with intellectual disabilities gain in an inclusive environment and promotes continued inclusion through inviting alumni mentors and community partners to participate in events and contribute to the program.

Fall 2025 Event Calendar

Date	Event Details	Attendees
Saturday, September 13, 2025	Annual Tailgate	Current EXCEL Students and Parents, EXCEL Alumni and Parents, Curent Mentors, Mentor Alumni, EXCEL Advisory Board, Student Advisory Board
Tuesday, October 7, 2025	Professional Development	EXCEL Alumni
Sunday, October 26, 2025	Homecoming Weekend Brunch	EXCEL Alumni and Parents, Mentor Alumni, May '26 EXCEL Grads and Parents, December '25 and May '26 Mentor Grads, EXCEL Advisory Board, Student Advisory Board
Thursday, October 30, 2025	Halloween Social & Movie Night	EXCEL Alumni
Wednesday, November 5, 2025	Student Mixer	EXCEL Alumni, Current EXCEL Students
Sunday, November 23, 2025	Friendsgiving	EXCEL Alumni

How to Get Involved

The EXCEL program at Georgia Tech can always benefit from your contributions, as there is always a need for program enhancements and support for students who could not otherwise attend. Your gift will go into a general expendable account to meet EXCEL’s most pressing needs. If you prefer to contribute to the Donald L. Chapman Endowment Fund, please indicate that on the document that defines the gift is for EXCEL.

Why Give?

In Georgia, approximately 1200 students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) graduate from high school each year. It is shown that motivated students with I/DD who engage in higher education increase their living quality and are empowered to lead more independent lives. In Georgia, however, the possibilities for continued high-quality inclusive higher learning are limited. Your gift opens up an opportunity for students with I/DD to take control of their future with an authentic college experience:

Students attend classes, complete internships, join clubs, attend athletic events, and develop lifelong friendships alongside other Georgia Tech students.
Students can live in college housing and develop a social life that will prepare them for their community and careers after college.
EXCEL participants are each assigned Peer Mentors, Georgia Tech students committed to helping integrate the participants socially and academically into campus life with individual support and guidance throughout their entire college experiences.

Your support is needed to progress EXCEL to one of the finest programs in the country!

For more information about making gifts in support of the EXCEL program at Georgia Tech, please email Terry Blum.

Before You Donate

Please remember that many companies will match gifts to educational institutions, considerably increasing the size of your gift.

Before making a donation, please check to see if your company matches gifts!

How to Donate

Make a Cash Gift

To make a cash gift designated to EXCEL, simply make your check payable to the Georgia Tech Foundation Inc. and mail it to the following address:

Georgia Tech Foundation, Inc.
760 Spring Street NW, Suite 400
Atlanta, Georgia 30308

Please include a short note with your check stating the intended designation of your gift to the EXCEL Program at Georgia Tech or note the purpose on the memo line of your check, otherwise, the funds go to the Georgia Tech general fund. The Georgia Tech Foundation, Inc. Tax ID is 58-6043294.

Make a Gift by Credit Card

If donating by credit card, please make sure to specify “EXCEL at Georgia Tech Program” in the “Designation” field after selecting “Make a Special Gift to Georgia Tech (write in your preference)” in order for us to receive the funds.

Give directly to EXCEL via a credit card by specifying your donation here: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/46972/donations/new

Make a Gift by Wire Transfer

For gifts by wire transfer please contact Pat Barton, Director of Gift Accounting, at 404.894.5544 to inform Georgia Tech of your coming gift to ensure your transfer is credited properly. Please make sure to mention that the gift is for the EXCEL program at Georgia Tech.

Make a Gift of Stock Electronically

An electronic transfer of stock to the Georgia Tech Foundation can be made by contacting Linda Lilly, at 404.894.6130, with the Georgia Tech Foundation regarding the planned transfer. Again, please make sure to mention that the gift is for the EXCEL program at Georgia Tech.

Have a special skill that would be great for a virtual or in-person workshop? Our Alumni Program hosts sessions for our students who have graduated. Contact us at excelalumni@ilsi.gatech.edu to get involved with our programming.

EXCEL Alumni

If your contact information has changed since you have graduated please make sure to let us know by emailing excelalumni@ilsi.gatech.edu.

EXCEL Mentor and Coaches

Need to make an update to your information? Please visit https://www.gtalumni.org/profile to manage and update your official Alumni Profile. This is where you can ensure that the Alumni Association and Georgia Tech have the most up-to-date information on how to contact you and what content you’re interested in engaging with. You will need your GT Account to login but don’t worry if you don’t remember your credentials. The sign-in page will have information on how to regain access to your account should you need assistance.

People

Ashley Pelton is our Alumni Coordinator. She graduated from Georgia Tech May '25 and has been involved in EXCEL for most of her time at Georgia Tech as a mentor and was a member of the Student Advisory Board.

Contact: ashley.pelton@ilsi.gatech.edu

Teri Anulewicz
Katie Badura
Terry Blum
Allen Ecker
Mike Ecker
Chuck Hicks
Marnie Harris
Allison Maloney
Dave McKenna
Jeremy Silverman
Ken Surdin
Meagan Timko

Maya Chigurupati
Ava Granot
Aubrey Lee
Karisa Ozaki
Nick Poage
Leire Ripodas
Amulya Rekapalli

About EXCEL

The EXCEL Program offered by the Georgia Institute of Technology is a four-year college program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) leading to two separate certificates. EXCEL provides a structured, supportive, and inclusive postsecondary educational opportunity and addresses the full scope of the needs of this population, from fundamental academics to social activities and vocational preparation. The program activities are categorized into one or more categories: academics, social fluency, independent living, career exploration, and leadership development.

Learn More About EXCEL

EXCEL Alumni

Our Program

Fall 2025 Event Calendar

How to Get Involved

Donate

Why Give?

Before You Donate

How to Donate

Volunteer

Stay In Touch

EXCEL Alumni

EXCEL Mentor and Coaches

People

Staff

Advisory Board

Student Advisory Board

About EXCEL