Fourteen graduating seniors were recognized at Student Support Services’ end-of-semester celebration Nov. 19 and presented with TRIO stoles to be worn at Commencement.
The graduates from the SSS Classic program are: Karen Aguirre, Nerland Almonord, Alyssa Baladad, Rose Cacicio, Donesha Cooper, Asjah Fedrick, Maria Frias, Cameron Leask, Sri Lanka Raymond, Connor Reilly, Nadine Saint-Vil, Sparkle Simmons and Rudeline Voltaire. Emilio Feijoo also is graduating through the SSS STEM program. Special recognition also was given to Simmons, for her service as a student assistant and peer coach, and to Reilly for his work as a tutor.
Vee Leonard, FGCU’s Vice President and General Counsel, was the keynote speaker. Her story of how she rose from a first-generation, low-income student to become an attorney offered inspiration and encouragement to students who struggle to succeed in the classroom.
Student Support Services is one of eight TRIO programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education through a competitive grant process and aims to increase college retention and graduation rates. In September, FGCU was awarded $2.3 million in grants over five years for the program.
The mission of Student Support Services is to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements and motivate students to complete their post-secondary education. It is geared toward students who are the first in their families to attend college, come from lower-income households or who have disabilities. Services include tutoring, financial literacy, peer coaching and career advising.