- Facilitates adjustment to college
- Helps students identify goals and values
- Guides student decision-making
- Faculty support
TRIO Student Support Services helps students achieve their educational goals by providing advising, financial and economic literacy, peer to peer supports, personal development workshops, graduate school preparation and cultural trips.
The Student Support Services (SSS) program is one of the three original TRIO programs authorized in 1968 by the Higher Education Act of 1965. The goal of SSS is to increase the postsecondary persistence and graduation rate of income eligible and/or, first-generation college students, or students with disabilities and to facilitate these students’ transition from one level of higher education to the next. Activities and services offered by SSS include instruction in basic skills, peer support, academic advising, financial aid and career counseling, graduate school counseling and mentoring.
Services Provided
Advising
Faculty advisors conduct an initial interview with each student; provide an orientation for all new students; assess, develop and monitor an academic plan; help students to schedule and register; track each student’s academic progress; and provide students with information concerning academic policies, procedures, and practices. Appreciative Academic Advisement and career counseling are also provided.
Individual and Group Advising
Financial and Economic Literary
Students will work closely with their TRIO SSS Advisors to secure necessary funds each semester. Students are provided a series of financial planning workshops and individual sessions to deter large debt as well as make sound financial decisions. Students are provided with an annual workshops to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are eligible for scholarship opportunities through TRIO membership organizations as well as other providers. Students who meet eligibility may receive SSS Grant Aid.
Instruction
TRIO faculty offer a series of college courses designed to engage the student and provide a solid foundation for college and career success. The courses include: Critical Thinking and Reading, Career Planning, Career Readiness and First Year Seminar.
This course exposes students to in-depth readings and well-chosen oppositional readings to help them develop intellectually and ethically by recognizing competing arguments and making a reasoned, context-appropriate commitment to one position. Some of the oppositional readings include artists, statements, criticisms, biographies, web-based essays, peer-reviewed journal articles, and book chapters. These authentic authorial voices engage students in thinking through competing perspectives on an issue. Students will practice critical thinking and reading in order to: reconsider and revise views where honest reflection suggests that change is warranted and face their own biases, prejudices, stereotypes, or egocentric tendencies. When students believe that their efforts are contributing significantly to their learning, learning becomes its own motivation.
First-Year Seminar helps TRIO students build a sense of community to achieve their educational goals through the utilization of a full range of institutional and community resources.
This course provides knowledge of a practical preparation for the world of work. Students conduct self-assessment for career planning; learn how to research particular jobs, careers and employers; develop skills needed for obtaining a job; learn how the workplace is organized; and explore the options for combining career and life expectations.
A self-discovery course that provides first and second year students the opportunity to develop career interests and goals. Students will gain an understanding of their interests and personal preferences by completing and critically analyzing various career inventories. Topics include the role of career planning in life planning, decision-making, sources of career information and the relationship between careers and a college education.
Literacy and Academic Support
TRIO faculty are available to:
- Work 1:1 with students in all aspects of literacy and support the development of reading at the college level.
- Access students reading needs, implement strategies, and evaluate instruction.
TRIO will provide linkage to the PennWest Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction areas that offer face to face and online tutoring support in 120 + subject areas
- Supplemental Instruction improves student performance in historically difficult courses
- Connect with students who have been successful in the course
- Teaches skills in a supportive environment for academic success
- Reviews lecture notes, textbooks and other course materials
- Teaches test-taking skills
- TRIO Scholars Peer Network
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- TRIO students providing peer tutoring
- TRIO students network with their peers to create personal connections and help achieve academic goals.
- TRIO students are provided a schedule of subjects, dates, times when they can connect with our TRIO Peer Mentors
TRIO Graduate Assistant Study Hall
- TRIO Graduate Assistant providing a weekly two-hour study hall
- TRIO students receive support for all areas needing assistance
- Providing a quiet space to study or complete class assignments
TRIO Club
Students can join the club if they have an interest. This club is open to all students and has a focus on supporting first generation through semester on/off campus events; Providing students with opportunities to stay connected and involved with their peers.
ALPHA ALPHA ALPHA
A national honors society for first-generation college students. The purpose of this organization is to recognize academic achievements in first-generation college students, create enthusiasm for scholarship, to promote leadership, and to provide support networks for first-generation students within and across college chapters. PennWest Cal (formerly Cal U) Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha is one of the first dozen chapters in the nation. As members, students play a pivotal role in shaping their local organization and will have the opportunity to assume leadership roles. Students receive graduation cords and national certification.