SMC Awarded Largest Grant Ever to Support Low-Income, and First-Generation Student Success Programs
Congratulations are in store once again for Saint Mary’s High Potential/TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program for being awarded a five-year, $1.3 million grant to enhance academic support services. This is the largest grant the program has received since its inception in 1970.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), the SSS initiative is a powerful and highly successful effort that provides a continuum of enhanced academic support services for low-income and first-generation students, and students with disabilities at the College. It is structured to help students build on their personal assets and strengths, and use them to succeed academically. Services supported by the grant include comprehensive academic tutoring, financial aid advice, career and college mentoring, help in choosing courses, and other forms of assistance.
One of eight federal TRIO programs authorized by the Higher Education Act, the SSS program recognizes that students whose parents do not have a college degree have more difficulties navigating the complexity of decisions that college requires for success; it bolsters students from low-income families who have not had the academic opportunities that their college peers have had, and helps students remove obstacles that may prevent them from thriving academically.
"The TRIO SSS program takes an interconnected view of students' success, drawing upon and expanding their personal and academic strengths throughout their time at Saint Mary's," said Megan Mustain, vice provost for Student Academics and dean of the Core. "It's a comprehensive approach that involves high-impact practices such as peer mentoring, undergraduate research, internship and career counseling, and campus leadership opportunities. The program fosters academic excellence by recognizing and celebrating the strengths that first generation and low-income students bring to Saint Mary's."
This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the systemic inequality and financial hardship that can keep promising students from succeeding in college, and SSS is providing a buffer and safety net for low-income and first-generation students to help ensure their academic success, especially with the temporary “new normal” of virtual and online learning platforms.
“Transitioning to college is challenging for all students, but it can be especially daunting for low-income and first-generation students,” said Jenee Palmer, director of the College’s High Potential Program and TRIO Student Support Services. “The experiences of these students are often radically different from their peers who have been exposed to college experiences and expectations by their parents and/or family members that have attended college,” she added.
The substantial grant award allows the Trio SSS program to continue its excellent work of meeting low-income and first-generation college students where they are—and to build on the students’ strengths with academic guidance and individualized support, culminating in a successful collegiate experience and the achievement of graduation.
Click here to learn more about TRIO Student Support Services