Student Support Services (SSS) TRiO at Napa Valley College will be celebrating their 5th Annual SSS TRiO Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 17.
The ceremony will be recognizing the academic achievements of 45 graduating SSS students at Napa Valley College.
The 45 SSS students will be graduating with a degree, certificate and/or transferring to a four-year institution. Of the 45 students, 39 will be transferring (87 percent) on to the four-year institutions, including 25 students to University of California (11 to UC Berkeley), 11 students to a California State school, and 3 students accepted into private institutions including St. Mary’s College, La Sierra University in Los Angeles, and Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas in Puerto Rico.
The ceremony will include a welcome speech by Napa Valley Colleges’ President Dr. Ronald Kraft and keynote speakers, SSS Alumni and Napa County Student of the Year (2012), Marissa Castaneda, and SSS Alumni and 2012 Valedictory Speaker, Mohamad Jarada.
Also expected in attendance is Maira Ayala, Representative from Mike Thompson’s office.
Each SSS student will receive a Certificate of Excellence and a medallion to wear at the 70th Commencement Ceremony at Napa Valley College on May 31, 2013.
Student Support Services (SSS) TRiO serves students who are the first in their family to pursue higher-education, low-income, and students with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Education funded grant program has been at Napa Valley College since 1997 (16 years) and has served over 2,700 students.
The mission of SSS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants, facilitate their transfer from two-year to four-year colleges and foster an institutional climate supportive of their successes. The SSS TRiO program provides the following services to eligible students: academic advising, counseling, academic mentoring, financial aid assistance, financial & economic literacy, college transfer assistance to a four-year institution, social & cultural activities, and a college success course.
The SSS retention rate is 92 percent with 87 percent of SSS students achieving a 2.6 GPA or higher. The SSS TRiO program is a nation-wide program and is recognized as one of the best post-secondary transfer programs in the nation. The program has had many successes with its SSS students.
For the past nine years, the Napa Valley College Valedictory speaker has been from the SSS program including this year’s valedictory speaker, SSS student Shanice Renee Watts.
SSS students speak highly about this successful program at Napa Valley College: ·
“Having the ability to have an advisor who is aware of the academic realm. Because of my parents lack of education in the U.S. they were unable to advise me about my college eduation, SSS TRiO provided me with this”-Mohamad Jarada Transferred Fall 2012 to UC Berkeley, NVC Valedictorian 2012 ·
“My experience in SSS was amazing. I met new people through the program and made new friends. I’m grateful for the advisors. They are extremely good at helping first time college students find their way. SSS has helped me choose a career I enjoy.” – Katya Orozco Transferred Fall 2012 to Sacramento State University
“Because of SSS I have learned all of the classes I needed to take and how to get my degree, I applied to all the colleges I wanted to and have had help with the FAFSA and all the other paperwork and am completely grateful! SSS has amazing staff.” – Sierra Sander-Hewitt Transferred Fall 2012 to UC Davis
For more information about this successful program at Napa Valley College, visit the Napa Valley College website at www.napavalley.edu and search for Student Support Services (SSS) TRiO.
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