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Enabling Transformative Experiences

PAL 50th Logo

We are incredibly proud of PAL, our internationally recognized Program for Advancement of Learning. Recognized as the country’s first program of its kind, celebrating a longstanding tradition of success, PAL provides academically focused assistance to bright, college-able students with diagnosed learning differences, executive function challenges, and/or AD/HD.

Explore The PAL Program:

A student in the Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) meets with her professor

PAL Academic Experience

Students in PAL are fully mainstreamed in their classes and receive additional support on a proactive basis. Students work in individual and/or small classes with a PAL faculty member developing strategies in areas such as reading comprehension, written language, speaking, listening, organization, and time management.

Curry College Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) students work off a laptop together

Admission to PAL

Space is limited in Curry's unique Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL), therefore, each application is evaluated carefully to identify students whose needs best match the nature of support offered in PAL.

Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) students in class in the PAL AT Center

Technology and Accommodations

Each incoming student in PAL will have access to specialized instruction in web-based educational applications to aid in their learning, as part of their PAL curriculum. Along with this invaluable resource, the PAL Assistive Technology (AT) Center offers students in PAL a variety of technology tools that have been shown to benefit students with learning differences.

Students in the Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) participate in a Summer PAL group activity outside the Kennedy building

Summer PAL

Kick off your academic experience at Curry College, live in our residence halls and experience a taste of life in the Boston area with our 4-credit, immersive Summer PAL program. Register today - seats fill up quickly!

A Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) faculty member explains the PAL program to parents of a student

Guidance for PAL Parents

The parents' role in supporting independence is to allow students to advocate for themselves.  This is sometimes a difficult transition for parents who have been strong, successful advocates.  Parents can help by encouraging the use of PAL for assistance and guidance.

A Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) student is assisted by a PAL faculty member

Value Added Services

The Program for Advancement of Learning also offers the following value added services for students to explore:

Jackson Greeno ‘23

PAL Support Made College a Reality for Jackson Greeno ‘23

When Jackson Greeno was approaching the end of his high school career, he was doubtful that he would continue his formal education any further. As someone who has struggled with learning differences such as dyslexia, anxiety, and attention-deficit disorder, he was fearful that the support he received in high school wouldn’t translate into higher education. That was, until he discovered the Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) at Curry College.

Highlights in PAL

Jay Gonzalez, 15th President of Curry College

Jay Gonzalez Appointed as President of Curry College

Curry College’s Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Jay Gonzalez as the College’s 15th president. The board’s unanimous decision was the culmination of a thoughtful and thorough search process that was conducted over the past eight months. Gonzalez has a deep breadth of experience in the law, government, education, politics, advocacy, and business leadership.
Faculty pose at 2022 Convocation

Present, Publish, and Produce: Spring 2023 Faculty Accomplishments

Curry faculty are dedicated educators and caring mentors to students as well as leading scholars, scientists, artists, and trailblazers in their disciplines. They are regularly published in notable academic publications, quoted as experts in the media, and applauded among peers at prestigious industry conferences.
Emma Keyes Poses Next to Dr. Nicole Parsons with PAL Award

Emma Keyes ’23 Stands Up for Neurodivergent Injustice with Self-Published Novel

Emma Keyes was tired of hearing the “Hollywood version” of Autism and thought the world deserved a genuine one. As a compassionate, caring, and motivated young woman, and also one living with Autism, she decided to do just that by self-publishing her first novel, entitled "Through My Eyes: A Different Perspective."
New Curry College Faculty, 2022-2023

Welcome New Faculty! 2022-2023

The Curry College community welcomes our newest faculty members to campus for the 2022-2023 academic year. They are enthusiastic and ready to empower our students to excel, dedicating themselves to success inside and outside the classroom.
Colleen Myers ’08, MSN ’22, and her son Andrew Myers ’22

Mother and Son: A Graduation Story 26 Years in the Making

Years of hard work, determination, and love led Colleen Myers ’08, MSN ’22, and her son Andrew Myers ’22 to be two of the 661 students who walked across the stage at Curry’s 2022 Commencement. Andrew received his bachelor’s in communication with honors and his mother Colleen earned her master’s in nursing.
The Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics awarded Person of the Year for 2021-2022

53rd Annual Awards Recognition Ceremony Celebrates the Best of Curry College

Curry College honored the best and brightest during its 53rd Annual Awards Recognition Celebration. Over 60 awards were bestowed upon deserving recipients, highlighting the amazing feats achieved in academics, student life, the arts, and athletics.
Top 21 Stories of 2021 Collage

Year in Review: Our Top 21 News Stories in 2021

The Curry College community rallied together in 2021 to accomplish great things and make this year memorable despite the continuing pandemic. As we look forward to 2022, here are the top 21 stories from another unforgettable year.
Aviva Hollander '23 presents to the NorthEast Regional Computing Program

PAL Student Tutors Present on Learning How to Learn Through Technology

“Metacognition is learning about your learning and what type of learner you are,” said Matt Mariani, a senior software development major, during a webinar where he presented with fellow student Aviva Hollander, a senior sociology major, and Dr. Laura Vanderberg, director and professor in Curry’s Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL). The three gave an invited presentation to the NorthEast Regional Computing Program, a non-profit consortium serving higher education library and IT professionals.
Curry College Seal

Produce, Present & Publish: 2021 Curry Faculty Honors

Our faculty are not only dedicated educators and caring mentors to students, they also are among the leading scholars, scientists, artists, and trailblazers in their disciplines. Curry faculty are regularly published in notable academic publications, quoted as experts in the media, and applauded among peers at prestigious industry conferences.

Experience PAL

PAL students are leaders at Curry, with many joining our Honors Program and leading the way in the arts, in athletics, and in the classroom. They take on a wide range of careers after Curry and many have gone on to grad school, law school, or doctoral programs.

Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) faculty members assist students in a group session

Curry Named to Top 10 Best Colleges List for Students with LD's

College Magazine recently named Curry College on its Top 10 Best Colleges List for students with learning disabilities. The article references that "while 86 percent of colleges enroll students with learning disabilities, only 24 percent of them say they can actually help those students "to a major extent."

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Take the next step

We're excited you're considering our internationally recognized Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL) and look forward to helping you reach your career goals.