TRIO is in its 33rd year at Wayne State College and serves income-eligible individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities.
Wayne State College students from disadvantaged backgrounds will continue to have access to individualized attention and other services, thanks to a renewed $1.9 million TRIO federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The grant is worth $381,395 each year for five years for Wayne State’s TRIO Student Support Services Program (TRIO). Now in its 33rd year at Wayne State, TRIO serves 225 students each year.
“I’m extremely proud of the TRIO staff’s collaborative effort and dedication to the students we serve,” said Dr. Liesel Powicki, director of TRIO Student Support Services at Wayne State. “The learning skills specialists build strong relationships with students, hold them to high expectations, and work to ensure their success, which ultimately leads to graduation and successful careers for many students who otherwise might not have had the opportunity. Our success shows with more than 90% of our students in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or higher) and 87% continuing from last year to this year. This wouldn’t be possible without the leadership and support of Wayne State president Marysz Rames and vice president of student affairs C.D. Douglas.”
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 also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRIO projects.
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.
“This grant renewal represents a lifeline to students who need support services to meet their goal of earning a college degree,” said Rames. “TRIO is an important program for Wayne State and plays a vital role in ensuring the College can meet students where they are to work with them and build a plan for success. This is the very heart of who we are at Wayne State.”
Academic support services include academic tutoring and coaching; priority (first day) 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 cultural and educational trips and programs.
“TRIO has helped me navigate college as a first-generation student by providing the guidance, support, and community I didn’t know I needed,” said Sharon Bartak, a junior from Ewing, who is majoring in Elementary Education at Wayne State. “TRIO has kept me motivated and opened doors to academic resources, leadership development, and personal growth.”
Each TRIO student is assigned to a professional advisor, and together they create a success plan that includes the student’s life goals, services needed, campus resources, and periodic meetings to monitor progress. TRIO students are expected to demonstrate a serious commitment to their education through excellent class attendance, frequent use of TRIO and campus resources, and regular contact with their TRIO advisor.
“I have a good connection with my TRIO advisor,” said Dinesh Gullapalli, a Wayne State junior from Omaha, who is majoring in Business Administration and Marketing. “My experience with TRIO gives me the extra support I need to do well in college, and everyone is very helpful with providing additional help with subjects.”
For more information, contact:
Dr. Liesel Powicki
402-375-7555
[email protected]
TRIO Student Support Services Program