Student Support Services Summer Scholars Program offers incoming freshman an opportunity to adjust to campus life before the fall semester begins.
Adams State University is pleased to announce that the recent Student Support Services(SSS) grant proposal was selected by the U.S. Department of Education to be funded from among thousands of proposals in a nationwide competition. The Adams State SSS proposal received a perfect score on the application. The award came in at $247,583 every year for 5 years to support the program, beginning September 1, 2015.
The Adams State SSS Office serves 175 eligible students. Their services are broadly focused on supporting participants’ academic success, building non-cognitive skills and offsetting financial needs. These goals are achieved through a combination of course offerings, tutoring, workshops, employment opportunities, scholarships, and social and cultural programming.
Writing and preparing the grant application was a team effort by Morgan Dokson, Student Support Services Director; Angelica Valdez, Upward Bound Director, and Tawney Becker, grant specialist.
According to Valdez, an Adams State graduate ’98 ’08, Adams State has had at least one TRIO Program, Upward Bound, and others such as Talent Search and Student Support Service, for 43 years. Valdez said students eligible for the program receive support in filling out necessary financial aid forms, are provided mentoring and tutoring. In addition, workshops and classes pertaining to adjusting to college life, financial literacy, leadership and career and graduate school preparation are provided at no cost. The college also partners to provide incoming SSS students with a pre-college, Summer Scholars program, to help incoming ASU freshman transition from high school and better prepare them in the areas of English and math.
Valdez and Dokson appreciate Becker’s contribution in the grant writing process. "Her research skills, eye for detail and overall dedication to ASU’s mission and its students proved to be invaluable. In addition, both former President David Svaldi and President Beverlee McClure have really stepped up to provide financial and academic support for our San Luis Valley participants in particular, by supporting TRIO programs."
Dokson worked in the Upward Bound Office for four years as the academic skills coordinator and assistant director prior to accepting the position as Student Support Services director in 2014. "I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know and serve Adams State students." His goals include "ensuring all Student Support Services participants graduate on time and with as little student loan debt as possible, that participants have as much fun as possible while receiving their education at Adams State and that our students go on to lead happy and productive lives. It’s an honor to be a part of all the great things that are happening at Adams State."
