Cougar Cry
Page 11
Student Support Services
Your Bridge to Academic Success
Student Support Services (SSS) is one of 5 federally funded TRIO programs that provide academic sup
port services to eligible students. The SSS program at WCC began in 1979 and has provided academic
support services to over 5000 students. The goal of the program is to provide services that will help par
ticipants successfully complete a college degree.
A majority of WCC students meet eligibility criteria for SSS. An eligible participant is a student who dem
onstrates a need for academic support and who is
- a first generation college student (neither parent has graduated from a 4-year college);
- a person of limited income (most students who qualify for Pell grants are eligible); and/or
• - a person with a documented disability.
The reason the Department of Education has established this eligibility criterion is because history has
shown that these students often withdraw from school and fail to complete their degree. A number of fac
tors contribute to these students' difficulties, including:
- Lack of family support
- Limited knowledge/experience with college - Lack of financial resources
- Limited time due to work, family and other responsibilities - Lack of adequate preparation for col
lege
To help overcome these barriers to educational success, SSS provides a variety of services. Once ac
cepted for enrollment in SSS, a student's needs are assessed and an individualized plan of services is de
veloped with each student to assist him or her toward reaching educational goals. Each student is required
to participate in a minimum of 3 services each semester. Services may include some or all of the follow
ing:
Academic Advising
Academic Skills Building
Career Exploration
Cultural Events
Financial Aid Advising
Learning Disability Assessments
Lending Library
Quiet Room
Supplemental Instruction
Tutoring
Academic Luncheons
ACA 115
Computer Lab
Disability Services
Learning Communities
Learning Styles Assessment
Personal Counseling
Summer Success Program
Transfer Advising and Trips
Student Support Services is located in the Thompson Hall Student Success Center.
For more information about SSS, please contact one of the staff members:
Kim Faw Director 838-6558 fawk@wilkes.cc.nc.us
John Hawkins Secretary 838-6557 hawkinsj@wilkes.cc.nc.us
Cinnamon Martin Educational Advisor 838-6559 martinc@wilkes.cc.nc.us
Nancy Sizemore Counselor 838-6560 sizemore@wilkes.cc.nc.us