Thursday, September 30, 2010
USI receives $1.2 million for Student Support Services Program
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Contact for more information:
Wendy Knipe Bredhold Media Relations Specialist, News & Information Services 812/461-5259 Research indicates that these students are less likely to persist in higher education than other students, and USI's experience supports that research. Only 63 percent of SSS-eligible USI freshmen in fall 2008 were retained in fall 2009, and retention continues to be an issue as SSS-eligible students' progress. Twenty-two percent of SSS-eligible sophomores and 21 percent of SSS-eligible juniors also did not return in fall 2009. To help motivate eligible students to successfully complete their degree, the SSS Program will provide students comprehensive services through classroom instruction, academic skill development, academic advising and career development, personal and financial aid counseling, and experiences designed to enhance the collegiate experience. A full-time program director, counselor/advisor, and administrative assistant will be hired to facilitate implementation of the program. The SSS program director will report to Michael "Brody" Broshears, director of the University Division. "This program is about celebrating these students' successful transition to college and surrounding them with the services that they need to be successful," Broshears said. "We are tremendously pleased about securing this grant. It's a competitive process, and this represents a real win for USI and the students that will be enrolled in this program." In each of the past three years, approximately 35 percent of undergraduate students enrolled at USI were eligible for SSS Program services based on their status as low income and/or first generation students. The students categorized as both first generation and low income constitute between six and seven percent of all undergraduates, and between 18 and 20 percent of those undergraduates qualify for SSS. |
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