The University of Toledo’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) excelled in meeting all approved and required federal objectives — persistence rate, good academic standing and bachelor’s degree attainment — for the 2020-21 academic year.
The University has a 55-year history with TRIO Student Support Services Program, a federally funded, college-based educational opportunity to motivate and support students who may be the first in their family to attend college, from low-income backgrounds or living with disabilities.
The program provides academic and other services to all participants, including tutoring, academic advising, career counseling, financial literacy, post-graduate preparation and mentorship.
“We know from the data that this support significantly improves students’ academic outcomes at UToledo. But it also improves the overall quality of their student experience, providing a sense of belonging, connections to mentors and peers, and support for navigating the complex system of college,” said Dr. Denise Bartell, associate vice provost for student success. “The Office of Student Success is both grateful for and proud of the dedicated team we have serving our students in the TRIO program.”
TRIO SSS received a five-year renewal of funding in 2020. As part of the five-year funding cycle, all TRIO programs must complete a required annual performance report (APR). The APR is an assessment of services and established objectives approved by the U.S. Department of Education. The achievement of the federally approved objectives is directly related to continuing the grants in future funding years.
The University’s TRIO SSS received a persistence rate of 99%, a good academic standing of 96% and a bachelor’s degree attainment of 61%.
“TRIO Student Support Services is a vitally important part of our campus efforts to support success and equitable outcomes for all students who we have the privilege to serve,” Bartell said.
UToledo has three of the eight federal programs on campus: Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science and Student Support Services.
“The TRIO SSS village reaches far and wide,” said Dr. Toycee Hague-Palmer, director of TRIO Student Support Services. “Our focus is on retaining the ‘whole’ student. It is with the support and collaboration of our campus advocates — the Learning Enhancement Center; Center for Success Coaching; Office of Financial Aid; Division of Student Affairs (i.e., Dean of Students, Student Advocacy and Support, University Counseling Center, Multicultural Student Success, Upward Bound, etc.); Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Office of Accessibility and Disability Resources; faculty and a host of student organizations including H2O Church, FirstGen Scholars and the Black Graduate and Professional Student Association, to name a few — that it is possible for TRIO SSS students to progress, succeed and achieve their educational aspirations.”
