POWER Center awarded $523,776 in federal grants
MINOT, N.D. — The Minot State University POWER Center was the recipient of two federal Student Support Services (SSS) grants of $261,888 each to help students succeed in and graduate from college.
The POWER Center, utilizing the two TRIO Student Support Services grants since 2010, serves 310 students each year academic year.
“These grants are significant to the campus for many reasons. TRIO programs focus on student retention, graduation, and good academic standing,” said Holly Major, POWER Center director. “If we can help keep students in good standing, they can continue their educational path to graduation. Seeing students graduate and cross the stage at commencement is so rewarding.
“We are excited to continue to be here for students to see them complete more of their educational goals and to help students with the next steps after graduation.”
Student Support Services helps college students who are low income, first generation (those whose parents do not have a four-year college degree) or students with disabilities. The array of services the grant will provide are comprehensive and will include academic tutoring, financial aid advice, career and college mentoring, help in choosing courses, and other forms of assistance.
“We try to support students with whatever they need,” Major said. “What we do for one student can look a lot different from what we do for another student. For example, a student who is struggling in a subject that is tough for them may need support in just that subject to get a passing grade, while a student who hopes to get admitted to a competitive major or attend graduate/professional school may need to have high grades in all of their classes. Some students just need to know that they CAN do this — they are capable, everyone learns differently, and the path to success isn’t always a straight line.”
Major and her team worked throughout 2019 to prepare for the application process for the federal program. That hard work will pay off for Minot State students as MSU is the only campus in North Dakota to have two TRIO Student Support Services programs, including a traditional program for students who are first generation and one program exclusively for students with disabilities.
SSS began in 1968 and is one of the eight federal TRIO programs authorized by the Higher Education Act to help college students succeed in higher education. It recognizes that students whose parents do not have a college degree have more difficulties navigating the complexity of decisions that college requires for success, it bolsters students from low income families who have not had the academic opportunities that their college peers have had, and it helps students with disabilities remove obstacles preventing them from thriving academically.
“One of the services POWER offers is assistance in applying for admission to graduate school and professional programs, so we look forward to helping those who desire to continue their educational careers,” Major added. “We also feel that the most important things we can do for students is to help them get off to a good start and develop good habits from the beginning.”
The Minot State POWER Center is one of the many services offered in the Academic Support Center, located in the Gordon B. Olson Library. For more information or to schedule an appointment with the POWER Center, go online at MinotStateU.edu/asc.
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
| Published: 09/11/20 |
