By Tara Owen, Student Reporter
A grant-funded campus program aims to help certain student groups achieve academic success.
The TRIO Student Support Services program at Northwestern gives first-generation college students, low-income students or students with disabilities a chance to gain attentional help and make connections.
Along with helping students achieve their goals, the program is a support system. Jerika Coon is one of the program’s six student coaches, offering assistance to the students she is matched with.
“The people are what I like most about the program,” Coon said. “We all get along so well because the student coaches represent a wide range of social and academic classes. TRIO has given me a sense of belonging.”
Student coaches and staffers help their peers develop healthy academic habits, adjust to college life and find information about finances and social opportunities. The program has also hosted workshops regarding mental health, financial aid and job exploitation.
“We help these students be successful in college and be successful after college as well,” said Tosh Miller, program director.
As each student’s success is different, the program’s main goal is to help students stay in good academic standing and graduate, Miller said.
The program is taking part in the nationwide Butterfly Project, which raises awareness about the Holocaust. This will be the first program in Oklahoma to participate in the project.
“Each butterfly will represent a child that was killed in the holocaust,” Miller said.
During the month of November, painted butterflies will be on display in the J.W. Martin Library. Along with each butterfly will be a short biography of the child that it is representing.
To learn more about the program, contact Miller by emailing tamiller@nwosu.edu or calling 580-327-8119.