Where the System Ends, CAA Begins. We Built the College We Couldn't Find. CAA Story #12: Student Andre C.

This is a blog post that is most unexpected and heart-wrenching for our College of Adaptive Arts Mountain Movers community. This past week we lost one of our truest and long-standing Mountain Mover board members, Mr. Joseph Siecinski. Joe walked into our small, rented space at Randol School in 2010. He was in a full suit and tie (which we later would learn that he wore everyday). He politely introduced himself to Dr. Pam and DeAnna. De and Pam were teaching about 90% of the classes at this time, and we may have had about 30 adult students. He asked what was College of Adaptive Arts, and when we explained that we were creating an adaptive collegiate experience for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, he did not blink and eye, and said, “How can I help?” To say that there would not be a College of Adaptive Arts without Joe Siecinski would truly not be an understatement. He quickly joined our board, giving guidance and financial and business support with all of his heart and soul. He helped us to write our very first business plan, which as we look back on now, we achieved within the first 10 years of operation. He formally left the board in 2021 after 8 years of formal service. He stayed on to this day for our regular board meetings, executive board meetings, and monthly financial meetings. He believed in this model through thick and then when it seemed sooooo difficult and tempting to give up. Joe never did. Joe was a most magnanimous, kind, and larger-than-life figure. He *always* told the truth and never glossed over any hard financial findings– but with kindness, integrity, and humility. Through his constant presence CAA has grown operationally that first year in 2009 closing the books at about $65k to closing at over $2million this past fiscal year on June 30, 2025 with another 2 million grant bestowed to us in 2023. When he commended the CAA team on their collective efforts, teamwork, and fiduciary stability this past year at a board meeting, it was a compliment that was genuine and tremendously valued and cherished coming from Mr. Joe. Joe would start any meeting he would attend with, “Happy Monday!!!!!!! or whatever day of the week it was. He made you feel like you were the most important person on Earth to him when he was with you. And his was so positive, knowledgeable, wise, and kind. He just exuded grace, integrity, and hope. Joe was the one who recommended that we read the book Traction by Gino Wickman back in 2019. CAA embraced the tenets and business principles of this book, and it’s been a transformative experience for our business execution. To this day, our staff huddles that we employ each Monday morning before school begins are called the Traction Huddles. Joe would always say that if CAA could bring in $1 for every $1 in tuition, we would be in a financially sustainable position. This is the year that we’re going to honor Joe and bring this sentiment into operational fruition. CAA has been operating in a structural deficit for a number of years now as the demand for our services has outpaced the one and only state funding code that did not pass the rate reform study. There’s significant community and policy momentum and traction to rectify this deficit, and our Q4 fundraising campaign is dedicated to Joe Siecinski. CAA will embrace his spirit and figure out a way to build a sustainable recurring model to reach adults worldwide who want to learn and grow and contribute at their own unique and individual pace. It’s happening, and we vow to keep going until this equitable, lifelong collegiate and workforce model is fully established in communities worldwide to be a beacon of Hope, Joy, Fulfillment, and Traction. This is our Salute to Joe Siecinski.