UWF receives $1.46 million federal grant for student support services program

The University of West Florida’s 21^st Century Scholars program in the Office of Equity, Diversity and International Affairs was awarded a $1.46 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support the TRiO Student Support Services program. The five-year grant will support staff and resources that will help eligible students achieve a high level of persistence, remain in good academic standing and achieve high graduation rates.

“Student retention is very important to us here at UWF,” said Dr. Kim LeDuff, chief diversity officer and associate vice provost. “This grant will allow us to support students academically and socially as they transition to university life and make the journey to graduation.”

TRiO participants will work with success coaches and have access to free tutoring, workshops and early registration each semester. “Each student who is part of this program will be surrounded by a circle of support that includes success coaches, faculty, peers and members of the UWF and greater Pensacola community,” said Cathy Brown, director of UWF’s 21^st Century Scholars and TRiO programs.

UWF institutional data indicates that students who receive support from TRiO have a higher rate of persistence than both the general population and those who are eligible and do not receive support. Eligible participants are required to be first generation and/or low income as defined by the Federal TRiO/SSS program. Students who self-identify as disabled are also eligible.

“I am so proud of my staff in 21st Century Scholars and TRiO,” said LeDuff. “They have researched best practices and developed a strong and unified vision for our students. The staff is relatively new and this was their first time applying for the grant. I look forward to the success stories that will come along with their new approach to success coaching and student services.”

The new approach includes bi-weekly meetings with success coaches and allows students to register for tutoring online. The TRiO 2015-2020 award performance period begins Sept. 1, 2015 and ends Aug. 31, 2020.

The mission of TRiO at the University of West Florida is to serve UWF students who self-identify as first generation, low income or disabled with support services that encourage personal development and success on the journey to graduation and beyond. The program supports students from making the transition to University life through graduation and beyond by offering academic advising and social support.