SU Earns $1.2 Million Federal TRIO Grant

SALISBURY, MD---When recent Salisbury University graduate Samantha Rohlander was struggling with a calculus class during her final semester, she found help through one of several courses offered through SU’s Supplemental Instruction Program.

The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded SU a $1.2 million TRIO grant to help enhance this and other student retention initiatives on campus as part of the University’s Achieve Student Support Services (SSS) program.

For Rohlander, the Supplemental Instruction sessions paid off. She earned an A in the class and now works to help others through the Center for Student Achievement (CSA), which offers tutoring and workshops on topics including time management, study skills, leadership training and professional development.

SU’s TRIO program is designed to enhance the experience of first-year students by placing them in classes that best match their abilities and education levels. The program also provides support services that serve to enrich the educational experience for returning students. Traditionally, TRIO grants focus on programs that help low-income and first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities meet their academic goals.

The five-year grant will help support SU’s achievement gap initiatives, which include increasing the annual retention rate of SSS students to 83 percent (currently 77.8 percent), placing 90 percent of SSS participants in good academic standing (currently 88.4 percent) and increasing the six-year graduation rate of SSS students to 70 percent (currently 67 percent).

The Achieve SSS grant is the first TRIO grant received by Salisbury University. The effort was led by Ed Cowell, dean of students, Dr. Heather Holmes, director of the Center for Student Achievement; Barri Zimmerman, financial aid director; Dr. Kara Siegert, director of university analysis, reporting and assessment; Vaughn White, director of multicultural student services; Jane Dané, dean of enrollment management, Nikki Dyer, disabilities coordinator in the Office of Student Affairs; Dr. Nicole Munday, director of the University Writing Center; Dr. Bob Tardiff, associate provost; the Graduate Studies and Research Office; and consultant John Groutt.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.