SUNY Plattsburgh Student Support Services Funded For Next Five Years at $3.2 Million
SUNY Plattsburgh’s TRIO Student Support Services has been awarded a five-year, $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Under the competitive federal grant, TRIO SSS will receive $637,000 in annual funding through August 2030, according to Ashley Durocher, interim director.
The program provides academic, personal, career and financial assistance to first-generation, moderate-income students and/or those with disabilities to help them stay enrolled and successfully complete college on time and in good academic standing.
“Student Support Services provides guidance, peer and professional support, tutoring, advising and tailored support and skill- or work-based experiences to ensure college students are meeting their personal goals and making the most out of the college experience — personally, professionally and academically,” Durocher said.
Nearly 50 Years of TRIO at SUNY Plattsburgh
Now in its 47th year on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus, TRIO SSS is the largest program in New York state.
“This award not only ensures continued support for hundreds of Cardinals, it affirms the exceptional work happening right here on our campus,” said SUNY Plattsburgh President Alexander Enyedi. “SUNY Plattsburgh’s proposal received a perfect score of 105 out of 105 from all three federal reviewers, and extremely rare distinction, and full competitive preference points from two out of three reviewers, with the third awarding seven out of eight possible points.”
Durocher said they’re funded to serve 386 students per year of the five-year grant, “although not necessarily the same 386,” she said.
“Some students stop in briefly during the school year, and that might be enough for them. Others are in here more often, taking classes, working with tutors,” she said.
“Here” is the TRIO SSS offices in the first floor of Macomb Hall near the Educational Opportunity Program and Kyla Relaford Room. Students find a warm, welcoming space where they can hang out, do homework, meet with tutors and mentors and take classes in such areas as leadership, wellness, employment and grad school planning.
Access to Space
“Any TRIO students have 24/7 access to this space,” Durocher said. “Not all take advantage, but the ones who do are often off-campus students who want a place to hang between classes without having to go all the way home only to have to come back again for their next class.”
The office has different spaces designed for students to use as they see fit, she said. Students can move the furniture around, use individual study rooms, play games, visit.
While there, they can take advantage of all that TRIO offers, including academic support through tutoring, study skills workshops, advising and coaching; financial guidance through FAFSA assistance, scholarship resources and financial literacy; career preparation with internships and job search support, career exploration workshops and resume and interview skills; and help preparing for grad school in the form of application support, test prep resources and networking opportunities.
In announcing the new five-year grant, Enyedi praised the staff, saying that the achievement “reflects the strategic vision, excellence and unwavering student commitment of the SSS team.”
Staff Recognition
In addition to Durocher and her team, Enyedi gave a shout out to Shatawandra Lister, director of access and opportunity programs, and to Karen McGrath, vice president for enrollment and student success.
“Their leadership in designing a holistic, equity-driven program has earned national recognition and more importantly, it is changing lives,” he said.
Students can join the TRIO SSS program at SUNY Plattsburgh at any point in their career, Durocher said.
“They can use our services and work with our staff whenever they want,” she said. “We’re building relationships and opportunities that are intentional; we’re meeting them where they’re at.”
For more information on the program, eligibility or to sign up, visit https://www.plattsburgh.edu/plattslife/student-support/student-support-services/index.html.
— Story, Photo by Associate Director of Communications Gerianne Downs
