What is EPIC?

EPIC stands for Empowering Personal Interactions in the Community, and we aim to support neurotypical and neurodivergent young adults, 18 and up, in social, philanthropic, and learning opportunities through community-based events.

Social events consist of community outings for game nights, movie nights, sharing meals at restaurants or to take advantage of various community events in Denton and surrounding towns.

Philanthropic events are planned in accordance with community need and current participant interest.

Learning events include a teaching and application portion focused on general skills such as stress management, nutrition, or goal setting.

Who will enjoy EPIC events?

individuals who are 18 or older
those who have the desire to be with peers in a social setting
those with functional communication to socialize with their peers
individuals who require minimum assistance with activities of daily living
those who can self-regulate or recognize and communicate sensory or emotional dysregulation

EPIC Social Media

You can find UNT EPIC on our Instagram page - @unt_epic

You can also reach out to us via email - untepic@unt.edu

Through these you can find more information about our events and what they look like!

People

Program Coordinator- Lauren Mathews, M.S., CCC-SLP

Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and has been at UNT since 2005. She teaches graduate and undergraduate classes in speech-language pathology and supervises students in the UNT Speech and Hearing Center. She has supported neurodivergent students at UNT since 2016 as advisor to the student organization, Tuesday Night Flights, co-founded UNT ENGAGE (Embracing Neurodivergent Groups in Academics and Gainful Employment), implemented Eagle Chat (student peer support group), and is the program coordinator of UNT EPIC (Empowering Personal Interactions in the Community).

Graduate Student Assistant - Yamayle Santamaria, B.S.

Graduate Student Assistant - Jordan Davis, B.S.

Graduate Services Assistants for EPIC (Empowering Personal Interaction in the Community) and graduate students in the Speech Language Program within the Department of Audiology and Speech - Language Pathology>

Summer 2025 Events List

Laser Tag & Arcade on 6/4 - Join us for an evening of fun at Andy B's! We will play laser tag and arcade games. You can sign up here
Money Management on 6/16 - Virtually join us as we hear from the UNT Money Management department on how to be smarter with our money! You can sign up here
Movie Outing on 7/2 - Join us at the theaters to watch the new How to Train Your Dragon movie! You can sign up here
Swim Up Movie on 7/18 - Swim on in at the Denton Water Park as we hang in the pool while we watch Despicable Me 4! You can sign up here
Zoom Game Night on 7/30 - We invite you to virtually join us in a game night! You can sign up here
Amon Carter: Meet Up At The Museum on 8/7 - Join us at the Amon Carter Museum for a sensory - friendly event.