For many of us, college was a time of firsts, new independence, new friendships, and memories that have lasted a lifetime.

But for thousands with intellectual and developmental disabilities, that experience has often been out of reach.

In North Carolina alone, more than 200,000 people have these conditions.

As "Carolina Impact's" Dara Khaalid and videographer Russ Hunsinger show us, one area university is helping change that by opening the door to a true college experience.

- [Dara] You remember those days, right?

Those good old college days, when you tasted freedom for the first time living on your own.

- The most fun part is getting to wake up every day here.

- [Dara] Meeting strangers that would soon become friends for life.

- I have been able to be friends with my runners on the women's track and field team.

- [Dara] And taking tons of classes, some that weren't her favorite.

- Biology is pretty hard, I admit.

- [Dara] And others that you couldn't get enough of, like pickleball.

- I'll be doing pickleball with some of the students as a way to exercise.

- There you go.

- [Dara] Well, for students like Reagan Clark, who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, IDD, they get the same authentic college experience that any other student at Wingate University gets.

Thanks to the program, Julius Learning.

- I love the support and all the experiences I get to have that I thought wasn't possible before.

- [Dara] Julius Learning is one of the five initiatives of the North Carolina nonprofit, Julius Community, that supports people with disabilities and their families.

- It was founded based on our board of trustees member, Bob, whose daughter's name is Julia.

He wanted the opportunity for all students, regardless of their capabilities, to be able to attend college.

- [Dara] The nonprofit partnered with Wingate in 2024, launching the program that allows students to earn a two-year certificate.

- What we are providing, a living, learning, exploring experience for young adults to have that college experience.

And we like to say here that they truly become a Bulldog 'cause we're the Wingate Bulldogs.

- [Dara] Which means the nine students in the program this year get to participate in extracurricular activities like cooking club, playing sports, spending time with horses, and anything else their hearts desire.

- I'm on the color guard for Wingate and we always do football games.

Hey Megan!

- [Dara] On top of that, they take two classes each semester with neurotypical students.

- The beauty of it is that they will work with so many people throughout their lives who learn, think, act differently.

And so for them to have that opportunity to begin that process now.

- [Dara] Plus classes designed just for them.

- All right, it's exactly three o'clock guys so we're gonna get started.

- [Dara] Like responsible citizenship, which teaches life skills.

- Living in their own home or in an apartment setting with a roommate possibly.

And with responsible citizenship, exactly what that is, how to get along with people.

- [Dara] Which comes in handy for freshman Megan Massey, who's still adjusting to life in her dorm room.

- The hard part is having to deal with a roommate.

- [Dara] A reality for many college students.

But that's not stopping her from pushing forward and making Wingate home.

Inside her dorm, it's a girly girl's dream.

From a mirror with the perfect lighting to get dolled up.

- I'll just like get makeup on the counter and just start getting ready for the day.

- [Dara] To all things pink.

A perfectly made bed, vintage fridge and artsy decor on the walls.

Megan's bold personality and pieces that remind her of home are on full display.

- I have a dog, he's at home.

So I have to look like that big dog over there.

- [Dara] These independent living skills students like Megan have worked so hard to build won't fade away.

In six to eight months, construction is set to begin on a new on-campus project that'll give graduates of Julius Learning and adults with disabilities in the community the opportunity to live more independently.

Tell us what we have here and what's to come.

- So these are the apartments that will be renovated.

Again, moving to two bedroom, two bath.

And then here in between kind of these two buildings is where the community space will be that will offer that kitchen, laundry, community activity space that everybody who lives here will be able to enjoy.

- [Dara] Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Michelle Lancaster gave me an up close look at the area that'll be transformed.

The architecture and drawings are done.

The final step before construction begins is securing the last bit of funding.

- It can be and will be incredibly empowering for folks.

- [Dara] But before they're ready to step into the real world with housing, Julius Learning prepares students for something else they'll need, a job.

- We have the students in career class go in and look for student jobs.

We have a couple of great partnerships with the library on campus and with the Bat Center and the McGee Center.

And so we have the students complete their application, we practice resume writing, and then they send them out and then they go in for interviews just like everybody else.

- [Dara] Through partnerships, the program connects students with various on-campus jobs that take place at the library, gym, and performing arts building.

- [Dara] For a long time, there haven't been any programs like this at all, and the option was students would go live at home and maybe not even have a job.

This really sets them up to make more money.

Studies have shown that individuals who attend a post-secondary program do make more money over the long term of their career life.

- [Dara] Like any college experience, the real lessons extend way beyond academics and lead to finding your place in the world.

For students in Julius Learning, that progress doesn't stop at graduation because here, support isn't temporary, it's forever.

For "Carolina Impact," I'm Dara Khaalid.