After three years in the working world, Maci Filopanti ‘25O&M was noticing it was rare that people in her profession — Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) — were also certified in Orientation and Mobility.
She believed something was missing in the world of supporting children with blindness and low vision.
“More and more people qualify each year for the visual services we provide,” said Filopanti. “Once I saw what the students needed, I thought there was a need for more dually certified instructors. I knew continuing my education had to be in Orientation and Mobility — there’s such a great need for services for both children and adults."
A TVI and O&M teacher is a rare thing in the grand scheme of educational and adult support services. Up until now, it’s been difficult to find those who are dual-certified in blindness and low vision education.
But after next week, it will be a little less rare. Filopanti will be the only graduate of the Blindness and Low Vision Studies (BLVS) program from Drexel University's Elkins Park Campus with a certification in Orientation and Mobility at the fall commencement ceremony Oct. 21, 2025, at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. She’s going to be walking across the stage with a 4.0 grade point average too.
But it hasn’t been an effortless journey. Filopanti graduated from Kutztown University with degrees in Elementary Education as well as a degree in Special Education with a concentration in Blindness and Low Vision.
“I realized how much I loved education, but even more so, I found a deeper appreciation for individualized support,” said Filopanti. “I really enjoyed working with the small groups and found myself gravitating towards one-on-one lessons with my learners. I also realized that there are not a plethora of opportunities to learn in depth information about low incidence disabilities unless you find specific programs that specialize in specific low incidence disabilities.”
Although Filopanti entered the Salus University O&M program, she will graduate with a Drexel University diploma after the two institutions successfully completed a merger in July 2025. She chose the program, she said, because it is known as one of the best BLVS programs in the country.
“The program is known for being very rigorous. But if you are able to put in the time and effort, it is so rewarding,” said Filopanti. She added that the flexibility of the program and the financial support she received through her time at Salus/Drexel as well as from her employer allowed her to retain her full-time job as a TVI while putting herself through a master’s program.
But Filopanti isn’t done yet. In addition to her TVI and O&M certifications, she is also currently enrolled in the University's Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) program, which she anticipates will take her about two years to complete.
“My first job is being the best support provider I can be. As a TVI, I gained comprehensive understanding in one scope of practice within blindness and low vision studies on how to support a person who is blind or visually impaired,” she said. “Now with my O&M certification, I have a whole new way of looking at how to support people who are blind or visually impaired with a new lens. I really enjoy being able to think about how myself and others are experiencing/navigating the environment in such a different way compared to how I thought before entering Salus/Drexel’s O&M master’s program. In addition, with my VRT, that’s another avenue to learn a whole new aspect of how to support people who are blind and visually impaired in their daily lives.”
She’s excited about participating in the upcoming commencement ceremony.
“I feel like I’ve learned so much and done so many things in a little more than two years in my O&M program. I strive to have as much of a comprehensive understanding of how I can functionally help people live happier, healthier, safer lives,” said Filopanti. “I am so proud to be able to call myself a Drexel graduate now.”
