TRIO Student Support Services

What Is TRIO Student Support Services?

Student Support Services (SSS) is a program that is federally funded through the United States Department of Education. Student Support Services is one of eight TRIO programs designed to promote academic success. Kishwaukee’s Student Support Services program offers a variety of resources and services to help participants overcome barriers and have a successful college experience.

The primary goal of SSS is to increase college retention and graduation rates among program participants.

Who is eligible?

As a 100% federally funded program, there are criteria that students must meet in order to be served by the program. You are eligible to participate in SSS if you meet one of the following criteria:

Be a first-generation college student (If neither of your parents, or parent you reside with, or legal guardian(s) did not receive a four-year college degree) or;
Qualify as a low-income student or;
Have a learning or physical disability evidencing academic need

In addition, students must:

Be enrolled at Kishwaukee College
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

What services does TRIO SSS offer?

Student Support Services offers the following services to eligible program participants:

Personalized advising support: Participants will be assigned an advisor who will work with you until you complete your degree or certificate program. Advisors will also:
- Help you customize a student success plan,
- Provide course selection guidance,
- Connect you to other valuable campus resources.
Academic Tutoring: SSS offers individualized and group tutoring assistance exclusively for current program participants, absolutely free!
College visits: We encourage SSS participants to continue their education at a four-year college or university. To aide your transition, SSS staff will arrange college visits at least once per semester in order to allow participants to become familiar with various college environments.
Mentorship: Participants may qualify to be paired with a coach who will serve as a role model to help you navigate unfamiliar college processes and share practical tips and advice on how to be a successful college student.
SSS Grant Aid: Grant-aid is dispersed annually to a select number of active SSS participants who have an unmet financial need. Students must be receiving Federal Pell Grants to qualify for TRIO’s supplemental grant-aid funds.
Career Exploration/Assessment & Job Shadowing: Explore career options related to your interest.
Learning communities: Join an engaging learning environment with fellow SSS participants.
Assistance applying for financial aid and help with your scholarship search.
Opportunity to attend a variety of student success workshops throughout the academic year.

How much does it cost?

The program is absolutely free to eligible program participants. However, your commitment, effort and motivation to succeed are required.

How do I apply?

If you would like to be one of 140 students who receive individualized support through Student Support Services and you meet one of the eligibility requirements, please complete and electronically return the SSS Application to triosss@kish.edu. You can also complete, print, and sign the application and return it to the TRIO office C2123.

How do I connect with TRIO?

Visit us at the TRIO office C2123 during our office hours:

Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Call or e-mail us at:

815-825-9304 or triosss@kish.edu

Connect with us on Facebook to learn about TRIO and Kishwaukee updates and events:

On Facebook.com search "Kishwaukee College TRiO Student Support Services"

Meet Our Staff - View Staff Profiles

Director, Keith Wise
Academic Coordinator, Kim Green
TRIO Student Success Mentors
TRIO Peer Tutors
TRIO Career Counselor Intern

TRIO can assist students with finding academic and tutoring resources that can help boost GPA and reach success academically.

Tutoring Resources

TRIO Tutor
TRIO offers a one-on-one or small group tutor. TRIO students can schedule an appointment with the tutor by contacting the TRIO office.

Online Tutoring
TRIO offers online tutoring services that offers one-on-one live tutoring in a variety of subjects. TRIO student can access online tutoring through D2L.

Testing & Tutoring Services Tutors
Tutoring Services provides individual and small group tutoring assistance for a variety of subjects. This service is available on a walk-in basis and is free to all Kishwaukee College students. One-on-one assistance in study skills is also available. Review sessions for beginning algebra and intermediate algebra are scheduled during fall and spring semesters. Tutoring is available when classes are in session and schedules are available in Tutoring Services and in myKC.

Online Student Success and Career Workshops

TRIO offers online student success workshops and presentations that can be accessed through D2L. These workshops can assist with college success in a variety of areas such as skill building, career preparation, study and time management tips, and test preparation.

TRIO provides assistance with financial literacy so that students can pay for their education.

Financial Literacy
TRIO provides assistance with financial literacy so that students can pay for their education. Tools and guides are provided to help students make informed financial choices to successfully complete college.

TRIO Grant Aid
Grant-aid is dispersed annually to a select number of active SSS participants who have an unmet financial need. Students must be receiving Federal Pell Grants to qualify for TRIO’s supplemental grant-aid funds.

Academic Advising

Participants will be assigned an advisor who will work with you until you complete your degree or certificate program. Advisors will also:

Help you customize a student success plan,
Provide course selection guidance,
Connect you to other valuable campus resources.

Career Advising

TRIO offers career advising to assist you in preparing for your dream career.
With career advising we can help you:

Gain one-on-one career counseling and advice
Explore careers and discover the career field that's right for you
Develop or update resumes/cover letters/letters of intent
Get connected to career resources such as internship/job fairs, career inventories, exploration websites, and other helpful resources
Find internships and get connected to job shadowing opportunities
Work on Mock interviews, Joining professional organizations, job searches, job related social media such as LinkedIn
and anything else you need in relation to career development and planning.

TRIO New advising tool - Virtual Job shadowing

Virtual Job shadowing is an online interactive career exploration tool offered to TRIO participants for free. The program help empowers individuals to discover, plan and pursue their dreams with their unique video-based career planning platform. It is an shared tool that helps students develop career paths.

Some of the features include:

Resume builder
Digital Portfolio
Videos from professionals in various fields of interest
Career exploration road maps
Career interest assessments
Job/internship and college search tools

Come and see the TRIO career advisor for career assistance!

Mentoring

The goal of the peer mentoring program is to support TRIO SSS participants who are in their first year of college and participants with a below average GPA by pairing them with a second year TRIO SSS participant who has demonstrated academic and social success at Kishwaukee College. The program focuses on increasing retention, student involvement, and developing academic skills to be successful in college.

The mentoring program will:
•         Assist with the transition to college
•         Provide a supporting environment
•         Assist with accessing college resources
•         Assist with student involvement
•         Assist with finding a sense of belonging on the college campus
•         Provide guidance to ensure success in the classroom
•         Empower students to be their own advocate

College Trips
We encourage SSS participants to continue their education at a four-year college or university. To aide your transition, SSS staff will arrange college visits at least once per semester in order to allow participants to become familiar with various college environments.

Transferring
TRIO advisors can help you navigate the transfer process to a 4-year university or college.