Through the efforts and support of a cross-campus collaboration, UCCS has been awarded a Department of Education grant that provides an anticipated five years of funding at $272,364 per year for a total of $1,361,820 to serve 140 students with the new TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) program.
This impressive grant will assist students with disabilities, as well as and low-income and first-generation students, through academic support, advising and guidance, tutoring assistance, peer support and preparation for their careers and graduate and professional school.
“We are thrilled that through this first-ever funding UCCS is able to offer students the opportunity to be part of our new TRiO SSS community and receive comprehensive support toward achieving their academic and career goals,” said Senior Vice Provost and Associate Vice Chancellor Susan Taylor, Ph.D. “UCCS’s TRiO SSS program builds on our strong foundation of academic support and culture of care, exemplified by the many campus areas partnering to implement this transformative program. Please watch for further information!”
A director and advisory board will be established to help implement this grant, along with the dedicated staffing for student assistance provided by the grant funding. Students are encouraged to apply to participate through the SSS grant and information on how to do so will be available soon.
Senior Vice Provost and Associate Vice Chancellor Susan Taylor, Ph.D., who was the PI, and Co-PIs Patty Witkowsky, Ph.D., Department Chair of Leadership, Research, and Foundations and Associate Professor in the College of Education, and Amanda Allee, Ph.D., Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Support and Engagement, spearheaded the application with the support of several campus departments and staff and faculty. Additionally, grant writer Debbie Baness King was instrumental in procuring the grant.
Federal funds are awarded to institutions of higher education to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. The goal of SSS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants.
The UCCS SSS Program is 100% funded through the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Federal TRiO Program under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Sec. 402D; 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14.