Since 1990, Peru State College has hosted a Student Support Services (SSS) project as part of the college’s commitment to equal educational opportunity. SSS, a federally funded TRIO program, aims to level the academic playing field for students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities. The SSS project at PSC is now called Student Success Services. The project staff is committed to increasing retention and graduation rates by providing a supportive network of intensive individualized services, proactive peer leadership, and extensive campus collaboration. Targeted areas of service include:
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Academic advising (We provide supplemental advising and encourage you to work closely with your faculty advisor as well)
Academic advocacy
Assistance with academic goal setting/prioritizing
Assistance with study skills development
Assistance with time management
Disability accommodation advocacy
Guidance on enrolling in or dropping college courses
One-on-one peer tutoring
Tutorial programs on computers
Workshops on study strategies, healthy living, etc.
COLLEGE COST MANAGEMENT
Access to equipment for doument preparation
Equipment check-out
Guidance on applying for Financial Aid
Guidance on applying for scholarships
Supplemental Grant Aid
Workshops on scholarships and Financial Aid
SOCIAL NETWORKING
Assistance in learning campus procedures
Cultural events
Guidance for personal adjustment to college life
Newsletters & updates
Participation in SAIL, a leadership development program
Peer mentoring services
CAREER DEVELOPMENT & JOB SEARCH PREPARATION
Assistance with resume writing, filling out applications, and practicing interview skills
Career exploration services
Guidance on choosing a program of study
Workshops on careers, resume writing, the job application process, etc.
SSS is one of seven federal TRIO programs created to help Americans overcome class and social barriers to higher education. The term TRIO was coined in the late 1960s in reference to the first three educational opportunity programs to emerge out of President Roosevelt’s War on Poverty. Over the years, TRIO has expanded to include Student Success Services, Talent Search, Upward Bound, Veterans Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, Educational Opportunity Centers, and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. While the other TRIO programs help students prepare for college or pursue graduate degrees, SSS helps undergraduate college students persist in their studies and graduate.
Peru State College’s SSS project serves approximately 230 students at any given time and is funded at a rate of $278,566 per year. Participants are selected based on federal eligibility criteria.
