Peru State College students from disadvantaged backgrounds will continue to have access to individualized attention and other services, thanks to a renewed $1.7 million TRIO federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The grant is worth $344, 204 each year for five years for Peru State’s TRIO Student Support Services Program (TRIO). Now in its 35th year at Peru State, TRIO serves 230 students each year.
“I’m proud of the TRIO staff’s effort and ability to connect with our students and help them succeed in their college journey,” said Michael Platt, director of TRIO Student Support Services at Peru State. “Student Intervention Coordinators build strong relationships with students, and work to ensure their success, which ultimately leads to graduation and successful careers. Our collective efforts show with more than 87% of our students in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or higher) and 80% continuing from last year to this year. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of Peru State president Wendy Waugh and associate vice president of student affairs Matt Thielen.”
According to the U.S. Department of Education’s website, TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist income-eligible individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs.
TRIO provides a combination of academic and personal support services that match the individual needs of each student to increase learning, retention, and graduation rates. These services help students understand and adjust to the academic expectations and requirements of college-level learning.
“The SSS Grant renewal gives our students the continued individualized attention and support that helps support their academic success,” said Thielen.
Academic support services include academic tutoring and coaching; course registration and selection assistance; development of learning strategies, study skills, and time management skills for college; professional writing assistance; career preparation and/or graduate school assistance; and educational trips and programs.
Each TRIO student is assigned to an advisor, and together they create a plan that includes the student’s goals, services needed, and periodic meetings to monitor progress. TRIO students are expected to demonstrate a commitment to their education through frequent use of TRIO and campus resources, and regular contact with their TRIO advisor.
Established in 1867 as Nebraska’s first college, Peru State has transformed over the past century and a half into a state-of-the-art institution offering diverse, multifaceted educational programs annually to nearly 2,000 students.
