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DeAnna Pursai | |
|---|---|
| Occupations | Educator, nonprofit executive |
| Known for | Co-founding College of Adaptive Arts |
DeAnna Pursai is an American educator and nonprofit leader. She is the co-founder and Director of Development and Community Outreach of the College of Adaptive Arts (CAA), a postsecondary program that provides lifelong learning opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.[1] She was recognized as a CNN Hero in 2022 for her work expanding access to higher education for adults with disabilities.[2]
Early life and education
editPursai earned a bachelor's degree in elementary and special education from Purdue University and a master's degree in education policy analysis from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.[3]
Career
editIn 2009, Pursai co-founded the College of Adaptive Arts with educator Pamela Lindsay. The organization was established to provide a collegiate model of education for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.[4]
The program offers courses in areas including visual arts, music, theater, communications, and health and wellness, and operates in partnership with West Valley College in Saratoga, California.[5]
Pursai has contributed to the expansion of the program to include online learning opportunities and workforce development initiatives.[6]
The College of Adaptive Arts has expanded from a small pilot program into a multi-disciplinary educational model with both in-person and online offerings. According to media coverage, the organization addresses a gap in postsecondary education for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a population historically underserved by traditional higher education systems.[2]
Additional media coverage has highlighted the College of Adaptive Arts as an innovative model for postsecondary education for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.[7][8]
Recognition
editReferences
edit- ↑ "Alumna starts College of Adaptive Arts to make a difference in the lives of diverse learners". University of Illinois College of Education. 2014. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
- 1 2 3 "This college helps adults with special needs achieve their dreams". CNN. 2022-04-28. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
- ↑ "Alumna starts College of Adaptive Arts to make a difference in the lives of diverse learners". University of Illinois College of Education. 2014. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
- ↑ "College of Adaptive Arts provides education for adults with special needs". ABC7 News. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
- ↑ "College of Adaptive Arts". San José Museum of Art. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
- ↑ "College of Adaptive Arts provides education for adults with special needs". ABC7 News. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
- ↑ "College for adults with special needs serves 'forever school'". KTVU. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
- ↑ "Go inside the school offering adults with special needs the college experience they were missing". WLFI. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
- ↑ "DRI Waterstone Announces Inaugural America's Most Admired Awards Winners". DRI Waterstone. Retrieved 2026-04-22.