Student Support Services - TRiO

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Student Support Services-TRiO (SSS) provides motivated first-generation college students from moderate and low-income families with resources and services that will assist them to stay in school, do well, and graduate.

SSS is one of three TRiO programs originally funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965, U.S. Department of Education Office of TRiO Programs. SSS at The University of New Mexico is one of over 900 programs nationally designed to increase the academic performance, retention and graduation rates of program participants. Each year SSS participants enjoy the following FREE services:

  • Academic Guidance on Major and Career Options
  • Individualized Tutorial Services
  • Mentoring
  • Computer Lab
  • Calculator Checkout
  • Scholarship Opportunities for SSS participants
  • Financial Aid Guidance
  • Social/Cultural Activities
  • Graduate School Guidance

You may qualify to be an SSS participant if you have need for academic support, and you are a U.S. citizen or meet residency requirements to receive federal student aid who is attending UNM fulltime. The eligibility criteria:

OR

  • You have a federally recognized documented disability*.

*Disability according to the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the University of New Mexico Policy 2310 is defined as a substantial limitation of a major life function. This includes students with visual, hearing, learning, psychological, orthopedic and chronic health disabilities. Students enrolled in SSS must register with UNM’s Accessibility Resource Center for the potential of additional academic services.

Application

How do I apply? Download SSS Application

Applications deadline is December 14, 2012 at 5:00pm.

  • Mail in:
    • SSS-TRiO
    • MSC 06 3715
    • 1 University of New Mexico
    • Albuquerque, NM 87131
  • Delivery in person:
    • Mesa Vista Hall (east of Student Union Building), 3rd floor, Room 3042

Once your application is received you will be notified by our office. If you have questions, you may contact us by phone at 505-277-3230 or by email at unmsss@unm.edu.

Academic Advising

SSS offers an array of academic support for participants. SSS academic advisors are committed to providing quality services that extend to academic, financial and personal questions.

How do SSS-TRiO participants benefit from our advising?

  • Time and individualized attention are two of the biggest benefits you will find when working with SSS academic advisors. SSS will only accept 160 participants during an academic year. Participants meet with SSS advisors on a regular basis by appointment. In situations you feel are urgent you may contact the office for the earliest available time. In some instances you may want to meet with an SSS advisor to discuss options you may have not previously considered and you will not be limited to the number of times that you come in. We meet the needs of participants by offering extended hours to provide you advisement beyond the typical 8-5 schedule.
  • Confidentiality is a key in all meetings with SSS academic advisors. All advising is kept in strict confidentiality so that participants are in a safe environment to address issues or concerns.
  • SSS academic advisors are knowledgeable of current UNM academic advising policies. We are committed to provide you quality service and consistently work with UNM’s University College Advisement Center to receive trainings on updates that directly affect you. SSS participants also receive the added benefit of our academic advisors who are also knowledgeable about financial aid and will guide you through your financial aid questions.
  • Success is a goal for all participants. SSS academic advisors also serve as your very own academic coach to help you develop strategies for your academic career.

Tutorial Services

College courses may be challenging for a variety of reasons. Individualized tutorial services are provided to help you gain an extra edge in your coursework. To ensure success in the classroom the tutors will help you strengthen your own study skills and provide academic support in the following course subjects:

  • English
  • Mathematics up to 163
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physics 151
  • Public Speaking
  • Spanish
  • Psychology

For additional subjects or general questions about tutoring, call 277-3230 or email unmsss@unm.edu.

Mentoring

“A mentor is a guide who leads a traveler on a pilgrimage of discovery.”-Harris Schenz (1990)

Adapting to university life can be overwhelming for many students. The goal of the mentoring aspect of SSS is to improve the retention and graduation rates. SSS mentors are upperclassmen that have exhibited academic proficiency and leadership abilities.

The mentors assist our participants by helping them to become acclimated to college life at UNM. The mentoring component can be a gratifying and wonderful experience because you have access to upperclassmen who know the ropes of UNM. Mentors promote and encourage their mentees to participate in events and activities to develop campus involvement. Mentees are able to discuss issues they are experiencing. The mentors offer their own experiences and provide essential information that one can only learn by experience.

Mentoring

Activities

Free interactive social and cultural activities are offered throughout the academic year which promotes balance in your academic career at UNM and encourages you to network with other SSS participants. The activities are held both on campus and off-campus to become aware of the rich culture of New Mexico and to appreciate other cultures of the world.

Activities