April 21, 2026
Contact: Sara Diedrich, diedrichs@missouri.edu
Photo courtesy of Mizzou College of Education and Human Development
As graduation season approaches, thousands of high school students across Missouri are preparing to take their next steps into adulthood. For many students with disabilities, that path can feel uncertain. At the University of Missouri, however, a powerful program is helping turn uncertainty into opportunity.
Through a longstanding partnership between Mizzou’s College of Education and Human Development and Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) is equipping eligible high school students with the confidence, skills and support they need to thrive beyond high school.
“We approach every student with a simple but powerful belief: Yes, you can,” Kim Pudlowski, director of Pre-ETS, said. “From there, we focus on what it takes to make that belief a reality by identifying the support each student needs to reach their goals and exploring their individual interests.”
Since its launch a decade ago, Pre-ETS has grown into a statewide network of impact. Today, 67 highly trained certified educators — staff members who are part of Mizzou’s College of Education and Human Development and known as Pre-ETS specialists — serve students in hundreds of schools across Missouri. This year alone, the program has reached more than 11,000 students in more than 470 school buildings. That number is up from last year, when nearly 11,000 students were served.
“At its core, our program is about delivering hope, especially to students who may have been told they would never be able to work or succeed,” Pudlowski said. “We’re here to challenge that idea. By providing meaningful opportunities, guidance and encouragement, we empower participants to grow, build confidence and move toward greater independence.”
Who benefits from Pre-ETS
Pre-ETS is designed for high school students who have a diagnosed disability that may affect employment. That includes students with formal special education plans or other documented needs. With parent or guardian permission and approval through Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation, students gain access to a wide range of individualized services, often delivered right in their own schools.
At the heart of Pre-ETS are five core areas that serve as stepping stones to success: job exploration, workplace readiness training, work-based learning experiences, self-advocacy and counseling on postsecondary education or training opportunities.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all model, the program emphasizes personalized support. Whether through one-on-one sessions or small group settings, the focus is on meeting students’ individual needs and helping them build practical, real-world skills.
For some students, it’s also about discovering strengths they didn’t know they had.
“Most of the students we serve are capable of competitive employment, and many go on to college or specialized training programs after high school,” Pudlowski said. “Others may need additional support as they enter the workforce, including help with job placement and working with a job coach to build skills and confidence on the job.”
Pre-ETS also hosts “Job Olympics” events, where students can showcase workplace skills in a supportive, celebratory environment. Activities range from mock interviews to tasks such as stocking shelves or folding laundry, skills that translate directly into employment settings. For many students, earning recognition at these events is a transformative moment.
“If a student has always been told they might not be able to work, and suddenly they’re winning a gold medal for job skills, that changes everything,” Pudlowski said.
At its core, Pre-ETS is about more than employment. It’s about empowerment.
“Ultimately, decisions about post–high school employment are made by each student and their family,” Pudlowski said. “Our goal is to support students in pursuing competitive, integrated employment, jobs where they work alongside individuals without disabilities, earn the same wages, receive comparable benefits and have equal opportunities for advancement. In short, we want every student to have access to the same opportunities as anyone else in the workforce.”
