Patti May, director of Plymouth Academic Support Services (PASS), oversees TRIO. Ian Halter photo.
More than half of all Plymouth State students are either first generation, low income, or have a disability. This “trio” comprises the three key factors in determining eligibility for TRIO, a federally funded student support service and the primary component of the University’s Plymouth Academic Support Services (PASS) program. Despite the challenges faced by many students, an impressive graduation rate provides compelling evidence of the program’s effectiveness.
“TRIO teaches students how to navigate the system,” says Patti May, who has directed PASS since 2014. “If your parents didn’t go to college, you might not know what a registrar’s office is. We provide hands-on, holistic support to help these students succeed. It’s more than just telling them to go to the Financial Aid Office—it’s walking them there and personally introducing them to a counselor who can help.”
TRIO is a federal higher education program that provides students from disadvantaged backgrounds with the necessary support to help them access services that allow them to earn their degree. The PSU TRIO program has excellent retention and graduation rates. In 2016–2017, 88 percent of participants returned for the next academic year and there was an 81 percent graduation rate of the students who had begun the program six years prior.
Especially noteworthy is that 97 percent of TRIO participants at PSU were in good academic standing, thanks to the tutoring, counseling, and course selection services offered. “Academics is an important component of the TRIO program but it’s not the only piece,” says May. “We also help with personal and career matters and, for many students, we act as parental figures.”
TRIO supports all aspects of the student experience, from developing social skills to financial literacy and cultural awareness. Before classes begin, support starts with TRIO Connection Days, when participating students come a week before the semester begins to get to know one another, the campus, and their surroundings. Students also visit their classrooms and are connected with local businesses for job opportunities.
A major contributing factor to TRIO’s success is its mentorship program. TRIO links first-year students with upperclass students who can relate to their concerns, help them overcome challenges, and ultimately lead them to success.
“It’s amazing to see the transformation these students undergo during their time with TRIO,” says May. “So many of them arrive shy due to challenging circumstances and leave as confident young adults who have found a place to call home and people to call family. They’re ready to conquer the next step in life.” ■ Elana Studer ’17
I qualified for the TRIO program since I was a first-generation college student. I applied because it looked like a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and make new connections—and it was! At the end of my first year, TRIO organized a group of us to go to the Blackfeet community in Montana to do volunteer work. I was able to experience new cultures and communities that I otherwise never would have. Without TRIO, my college experience would have been very different and not as impactful.—Fenjens Kwok ’18, Mathematics
I can easily say that the TRIO program is a huge reason why I became the successful and confident student that I am today. I began as a shy incoming first-year, terrified by the idea of being far from home and having to become acclimated to a new environment. The moment I walked onto campus, though, I instantly became a part of the TRIO family. The staff and student mentors genuinely care, and they do everything in their power to ensure that we are successful in our college careers and will continue to be so after graduation.—Jessie Woody ’19, Physical Education
A few weeks into my first semester at PSU, I attended my first TRIO meeting. At the time, I was overwhelmed with all the challenges that come with being a new student. Whether I was having issues with academics, social life, or needed help figuring out how to pay for school, the staff and students in the TRIO program provided me with the tools and support I needed to succeed. Above all, I am grateful for the sense of belonging that the TRIO family has given me.—Harrison Frost ’21, History
Ian Halter photos.
Tags: PASS Patti May TRIO
