SERVICES OFFERED

Student Support Services participants will receive one-on-one advisement designed to help them succeed in their courses and graduate with their associate degree within an efficient time frame. How do we do this? Students will meet with their SSS advisor several times each semester to develop and assess their educational plan, review their academic progress, and receive academic and moral support.

Below are some of the things that students can do in their meetings with their SSS advisor:

* Select and register for classes;

* Investigate possible majors and careers;

* Learn study strategies to help to be a successful student;

* Get connected to resources and services on campus; and

* Track progress toward graduation.

Did you know that freshmen and sophomores don’t get to register for their courses until after the juniors and seniors register? Not so for SSS participants. SSS students will register on the first day that registration opens. This means you won’t have to compete with all of the other UT students, and you’ll likely get the courses you want with the professors you prefer at the times you desire!

UT offers thousands of courses, and selecting the “right” courses may seem daunting. Your SSS advisor helps you to make informed decisions regarding prerequisites, manageable course loads, degree requirements, realistic class schedules and a good balance of course work.

Assistance is available to help students identify resources available to choose a major and make career decisions considering their interests, talents, and resources. In the SSC 2001: Smart Start class, your SSS advisor will help you begin the investigation process. For more in-depth help, visit UT Career Services.

The SSS Tutoring Center is located in BRN 105. Free walk-in tutoring services for SSS participants are available in most general education subjects. Free access to computers and printers are also available.

The program staff works with the UT Financial Aid Office to ensure all Student Support Services participants have been offered the maximum amount of aid (according federal income guidelines), which may include grants (Pell, UCOPE, FSEOG). The goal is to lessen students’ dependency on loans. For more information, visit the UT Financial Aid website.

Students work with an SSS advisor to come up with a comprehensive Student Graduation Plan. This enables students to know which classes they need to take each semester to successfully graduate as quickly as possible.

SSS staff members will keep program participants apprised of important information using several methods of communication:

• The TRiO Community page in Canvas.
• SSS Newsletters are distributed in the Smart Start, Becoming A Learner, and Gear Up for Greatness courses.
• Instagram (Don’t worry. We won’t follow you!)
• Facebook (Again…We’re not going to follow you.)

If you choose to pursue your bachelor degree at another institution, SSS advisors provide valuable information to make your transfer go smoothly. SSS also aids you in your future academic plans by providing free campus tours to other Utah universities.

The TRiO Success Courses are two-credit courses designed to help students acquire the necessary skills for having a successful college experience. In these courses, SSS students analyze their current academic and personal skills and determine the areas in which they would benefit from changes. A combination of in-class discussions and outside activities present opportunities for students to explore and develop various success skills.

• Smart Start Seminar (SSC 2001) SSS students are required to complete SSC 2001 during their first semester in our program. The course introduces and integrates new TRiO-Student Support Services students to the UT community, both academically and socially, by developing awareness of campus resources and assisting in exploring and establishing personal, academic, and career goals. This course includes strategies for academic success such as critical thinking skills, time management, financial aid resources, financial literacy, service learning, and effective study techniques. Focus is on development of an academic plan, personal financial awareness and responsibilities, degree attainment, and community citizenship.
• Becoming a Lifelong Learner (SSC 2002) SSS Students take this optional course during their second semester in our program. This course is a follow-up to SSC 2001, and serves to further ease our students’ transition to college by providing them with the skills and information necessary to be successful students and productive citizens. Their college experience will be enriched as they better understand the process and principles of becoming a lifelong learner. Students will create their own philosophy of learning and outline the specific ways they will strive to become a learner. Students will also recognize important outcomes of becoming a learner that are vital to their success such as creativity, the ability to think critically, developing excellent communication skills and acquiring an exceptional character. They will better understand the major/career decision making process, including self-assessment, evaluation of majors and careers, and by the implementation of a personal action plan in order to achieve their academic goals.
• Gear Up For Greatness Seminar (SSC 2003) SSC 2003 is the Smart Start capstone course, and is taken after SSC 2002. This optional course is designed to help students to transition from general education to majors and careers by providing them with the skills and information necessary to be successful students and capable, contributing citizens. The course facilitates better understanding of the major/career decision making process and the development of essential career success qualities such as accountability, adaptability, critical thinking, creative thinking, communication concepts, diversity, relationship building, confidence, mindset and leadership. Students are asked to examine their thoughts, beliefs and attitudes, to focus on self-development, and to create a personal and career portfolio.

Each semester, SSS students must turn in a Mid-Semester Grade Check. This opens a valuable discussion between professors and SSS students about academic progress. After completing the Mid-Semester Grade Check form, students will meet with their SSS advisor to discuss progress and courses of action that will promote success.