RIVERTON, Wyo. — Central Wyoming College has been awarded a five-year, $2.3 million federal grant to sustain its TRIO Student Support Services program, which provides resources to first-generation, low-income and disabled students.
The funding, from the U.S. Department of Education, will continue to back academic advising, financial aid guidance, tutoring and mentoring that help students persist through graduation.
“TRIO works,” said Dr. Coralina Daly, vice president of student affairs. “This program is essential because it provides the academic support, mentoring, and guidance vulnerable students need to persist through graduation.”
The college reports that 83% of TRIO participants remain in good academic standing, compared with 66% of students who are eligible but not enrolled in the program.
Students benefit from support services including scholarship help, transfer planning, time management coaching, equipment lending, access to the Rusty Food Pantry and the campus Clothing Closet.
“The biggest thing for student support is creating opportunity and providing guidance,” said Jeffrey Sandlian, TRIO program manager. “Many of our students need someone to help them navigate college. TRIO gives them the extra support to know they can do it.”
Former TRIO advisor Paula Hartbank, now executive assistant to the president and board of trustees, reflected on her years with the program: “Every student I worked with was a success story in my eyes, and I believe TRIO is an essential program for CWC and its students. I am proud to have played a role in it.”
College leaders noted the federal program’s future is uncertain, with Congress considering cuts to TRIO and other student support programs this fall. Daly said eliminating the program would be “a shame” given the demonstrated impact on graduation rates and family success.
“When you see our TRIO graduates walk across the stage, you see the power of this program in action,” she said.
