Kishwaukee College’s TRIO Upward Bound (TRIO UB) and TRIO Student Support Services (TRIO SSS) supported 212 students during the 2019-2020 academic year. Both programs help first-generation students, low-income students, and/or students with disabilities reach academic and college success.
“Upward Bound continues to provide college preparation and academic assistance to help bridge the gap for low-income and first-generation students at DeKalb High School,” comments director of TRIO UB Tashena Briggs. “We also expose students to new cultural activities and college experiences to expand their perception of the world and what they can do with their lives.”
During the 2019-2020 academic year, TRIO UB provided college preparation support to 61 DeKalb High School students. Of the 14 seniors, 6 students are planning to attend Kish and 6 students will be attending other colleges for fall 2020.
TRIO SSS offers a variety of resources and services to help eligible Kish students overcome barriers and ensure a successful college experience. “Our holistic support approach had a powerful impact on the success rates of our students as we finished up a very productive year,” stated director of TRIO SSS Keith Wise. “We look forward to a new school year, continuing to expand our services to help students remotely during the fall semester.”
The program provided tutoring support, college visits, cultural trips, career exploration and personalized advising to 151 Kish students this year. The Annual Performance Report for the program demonstrated that 58% of the first cohort to join the program graduated, exceeding the grant requirements of 30%. Of those graduates, 23% transferred to a four-year college.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, both TRIO programs have reinvented themselves in a creative way, while navigating a remote working environment,” says director of student success, Dariana Lee. “I am confident that we will continue to see great things with TRIO as they adjust to changes, while still serving the community needs for higher education.”
For more information on TRIO Programs at Kish, visit www.kish.edu/student-services/additional-services/trio-support or www.kish.edu/get-started/apply/high-school/trio.