The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Georgian Court a new TRIO–Student Support Services grant for more than $1.4 million over the next five years.
“This grant will allow GCU to ensure the success of our high-needs students, many of whom are the first in their family to attend college,” said President Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D. “The TRIO–SSS program, which has served GCU students for more than 35 years, fully aligns with our core values and our mission of supporting them every step of the way, allowing our students to find their calling and follow their passion.”
Among them are students like Bianchi Valdez, who recently completed the N.J. Governor’s Hispanic Fellows Program; James Powell, a Lakewood native who is also a volunteer firefighter; and Ralph Noriega, a certified EMT member of the Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach and Neptune emergency response squads.
They are also recent graduates like Christina Chatelain, a Boston native who loves the idea of caring for people, and recently completed a degree in nursing. During her time at GCU, she was president of the executive board for the Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society and volunteered for Life Choice hospice program. Her aim is to pursue a graduate nursing degree and eventually work with patients who suffer from endocrine disorders.
TRIO-SSS students are focused on their future. Nataya Culler, for example, has always loved the library. She put her passion to work as an intern in GCU’s library, which reinforced her desire to pursue a master’s degree in library and information science at the Pratt Institute. Her goal is to become an academic librarian, much like the librarians at GCU who work closely with students to help them conduct research and succeed.
About TRIO-SSS
The TRIO-SSS program at Georgian Court supports academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial guidance, and other services, to help TRIO participants achieve college success and attain a college degree. To learn more, call 732-987-2610 or e-mail sss@georgian.edu.
