Program Benefits
- Academic Advising and personal support from Orientation to Graduation – SSS participants are assigned an SSS Advisor to assist them with academic, career, and personal growth needs throughout their college career to ensure graduation.
- Priority Registration – Once SSS participants have met with their Advisor for early registration advising and have completed program requirements they are issued a priority permit which allows them to register before their peers every semester through graduation.
- A Supportive Mentor Program in the First Year – A caring, accomplished graduate student who engages in ongoing training and meets with their assigned freshmen weekly to provide academic and personal support.
- Prioritized Housing - SSS students who choose to stay on campus after their first year get prioritized housing on campus.
- Priority Tutoring – Guaranteed individual and group tutoring in any subject through graduation.
- Academic Workshops for Freshmen and Continuing students – Academic Workshops are offered on a variety of topics such as Extracurricular Involvement, Career Development, Financial Management and Budgeting, Study Abroad, Graduate School, FAFSA, and Final Exams.
- SSS College Success Course – A 2-hour credit course designed to build community among SSS students, enhance academic and time management skills, and discuss life outside the classroom.
- SSS-Designated Sections of the General Education Required First Year Seminar (UCO 1200) and First-Year Writing Course (RC 1000) – Both courses are taught by the SSS English Instructor. Both courses have a special focus on writing, research, and interdisciplinary studies.
- Academic Coaching/Transition Mentoring – For students who need or desire extra assistance after their first year. Our Academic Coach will work with students to address time management, study skills, or organizational concerns while the Transition Mentor will work with students who want to explore and prepare for graduate school or prepare for the job search and life after college. Coaching and Mentoring sessions are 1:1 and content is dependent on each student's needs.
- Student Support Services Scholarship – Recipients of the Federal Pell Grant are eligible for this scholarship during their first 2 years if they complete program requirements. SSS also works with Financial Aid to secure additional scholarships for our students. Additionally, SSS has funding available for study abroad experiences.
- Equipment Checkout – Students are allowed to check out items such as calculators, headphones, webcams, or laptops on a limited basis.
Enrichment Opportunities
- First-Year Retreat - Each Fall, we kick-off the school year with a joint SSS and ACCESS retreat at Camp Broadstone. It is a great opportunity to get to know fellow SSS students and staff, as well as experience fun group activities!
- Cultural Events – During the Freshmen year events are provided that tie into academic goals such as film nights, field trips, service learning projects, SSS Service Learning Trip and cultural performances on campus. Beyond the first-year, continuing students have access to tickets to campus cultural events at no cost to them.
- Professional Development Opportunities – First Year and Continuing Student Professional Development Workshops are required throughout the year. The Workshops are designed to enrich the college experience and topics range from Career Development, Financial Literacy, Preparation for Graduate School, and Mental Health and Well-Being.
- Graduation Celebration – Each semester we host an event to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates.