WYE MILLS - Students in need will continue to benefit from the federal TRiO Student Success Support Services Program at Chesapeake College with two five-year grants totaling $643,829. The grants are awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.
“These grants fund a wide range of services for students who may face barriers to attaining a certification or degree,” said Chesapeake President Cliff Coppersmith. “The funds allow us to help students achieve their educational goals here at Chesapeake and the go on to a four-year institutions for bachelor’s degrees.”
The TRiO program provides resources for first-generation college students, those who qualify for Pell Grants or students who have disabilities.
Services include advising, academic support, career planning, tutoring, financial aid guidance, study skills development, time management training, leadership cultivation and cultural experiences.
In the 2019-2020 academic year, 373 Chesapeake students were enrolled in the TRiO program.
Dustin Snyder of Grasonville was one of those students and said TRiO was a key to his success at Chesapeake. The program, he said, provided the direction he needed to stay on task and finish his degree.
“I benefited most from the guidance and framework that TRiO provided for me. They put me on a path to my goal and helped me stay on track,” Mr. Snyder said. “The staff helped me keep my focus and really encouraged me.”
The guidance and mentoring were also critical to maintaining momentum, according to Snyder. Help in choosing the right classes and navigating the financial aid process are just two examples of how his TRiO participation helped.
“Every student who is eligible for TRiO should be part of the program,” Mr. Snyder said. “It’s amazing and helpful in so many ways.”
Mr. Snyder completed his associate’s degree at Chesapeake in May and will pursue a bachelor’s degree at Salisbury University this fall. He plans to become a teacher.
Securing the grant funding for another five years ensures that students like Mr. Snyder will continue to benefit from the TRiO program, according to Director of Student Support Services Ismana Carney.
“TRiO staff will be able to continue to help our students
acquire the skills they need to progress through college, to graduate and/or transfer, all culminating in successful careers and fulfilling lives,” Ms. Carney said. “Our student-centered TRiO team is creative, inventive, and resourceful in providing those experiences and those opportunities for our students, but most importantly we are accessible and available to our students at their convenience! Over the years we have provided our TRiO students impactful and memorable educational, cultural and academic support experiences. Our data testifies to our student successes year after year and I am proud to be a part of this critically important and deeply fulfilling endeavor we call TRiO.”
For more information about TRiO at Chesapeake College, please visit http://info.chesapeake.edu/lrc/tutoring/trio-student-support-services.