Experience It.

Medaille College‘s TRIO

Student Support Services (SSS) Program

If you are serious about earning a college degree, Medaille College’s TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) Program can help! SSS is a federally-funded program whose mission is to help eligible participants graduate with the grades and skills necessary for success at Medaille and beyond. Medaille’s SSS Program has served more than 200 low-income, first-generation students per year since 1980.

Clarissa Tromell Clarissa Tromell, ’13

Coming to college, I felt that I was completely ready for whatever challenges were to come my way. However, over time, those different challenges started to affect my progress. But thanks to the TRIO program, I’ve learned new strategies and techniques to keep me on task and manage my time.

Student Support Is Our Focus

As a TRiO SSS participant, you will have access to free support services above and beyond those offered to Medaille’s general population. You will also have the opportunity to work closely with a professional Student Success Advocate, who will assist you in designing an academic success plan tailored to fit your goals and dreams.

Faith Shaw Faith Shaw, ‘12

I believe TRIO stands for Time, Relationships, Individual, and Opportunity. The TRIO program and staff provide time to get you on track and to stay there as well. TRIO professionals build both personal and professional relationships with their students. They also get to know each student on a first name basis. The TRIO program provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, and motivates students toward the successful completion of their education.

Benefits of Becoming a TRiO SSS Student

There are many FREE services offered by TRiO, including:

Academic Counseling
TRiO’s committed staff provides ongoing guidance to ensure that participants stay on track with academic goals
Personal Advisement
TRiO staff provide participants with personal cheerleading and academic coaching, as well as assistance in navigating campus resources
Individual Graduation Plans (IGPs)
IGPs are developed one-on-one with all participants in order to address the specific needs of each student, year by year
Supplemental Grant Aid
Grants are available to active first and second year TRiO participants to help offset student loan burden
Graduate School and Professional Licensing Subsidies
Subsidies are available to offset fees associated with applying to graduate schools and/or professional licensing exams
Graduate School Exploration
Participants have access to a comprehensive library of information on graduate programs in New York State in addition to TRIO-sponsored visits to area graduate schools, preparation for graduate school entrance exams (GRE, LSAT, etc.), and assistance with composing personal statements
Career Guidance
TRiO partners with the Career Planning Center to assist students with selecting major and career paths, developing postgraduate plans, and designing effective résumés and cover letters
Financial Guidance
TRiO staff act as liaisons with the Office of Financial Aid and assist participants with financial planning through workshops on establishing credit, managing debt, avoiding identity theft, creating a budget, choosing the right bank account, and understanding credit reports and credit scores. A special emphasis is placed on assisting students to manage student loan burden
Cultural Programming
TRiO sponsors participant attendance at a variety of events around Buffalo, enabling you to gain exposure to events you might not otherwise have the opportunity to see
Workshops
TRiO offers workshops on a variety of topics of unique interest to college students, including academic, learning, and life skills, as well as health and wellness strategies
Tutoring
TRiO SSS participants are eligible for extended tutorial sessions with a wide variety of peer and professional tutors in the College's Academic Support Center.
TRiO SSS Computer Lab
TRiO has its own computer lab available specifically for participants. In addition, students have access to SkillsTutor, a web-based supplemental instruction and tutoring program for brushing up on math, writing, and science skills
Laptop and Calculator Loan
No computer? No problem! Participants can borrow laptops and graphing calculators to do homework or research
Textbook Loan and Textbook Exchange Program
A limited number of textbooks are available for loan for TRiO participants. We are always expanding our library!
Peer Mentor Program
The TRiO SSS Peer Mentoring Program matches first-year TRiO students with peer mentors who act as resources, sounding boards, and allies. Peer mentors are TRiO participants who have successfully completed at least one year at Medaille, making them uniquely suited to provide student-centered support to first-year TRiO students. The Peer Mentors also lead community service efforts, providing all participants with an opportunity to lead by example as they work together to address important issues in their community
Alumni Mentor Program
The Alumni Mentoring Program is a new initiative that enables participants to network with TRiO alumni who have graduated and obtained positions in their desired fields. Prospective graduates make career inroads and learn from former TRiO students willing to share their expertise
Services for Students with Disabilities
We collaborate with the Office of Disability Services to provide students with documented disabilities access to note-takers, testing accommodations, books-on-tape, adaptive equipment, and other services when appropriate. The TRiO SSS technology lab, located in the Academic Support Center, has computers equipped with Dragon Naturally Speaking, Zoom Text, and Kurzweil Reader
TRiO Session

Responsibilities of TRiO SSS Participants

To be considered active in the Program and eligible to receive all program services, students must:

  • Meet with their assigned TRiO Student Success Advocate each semester
  • Create and follow an Individual Graduation Plan
  • Maintain contact with their assigned mentor (for first year students)
  • Attend at least one TRiO-sponsored activity each semester (i.e., workshops, cultural events, etc.)

How to Become a TRiO SSS Participant

If you think TRiO can help you reach your educational goals, contact us at (716) 880-2214, e-mail us at trio@medaille.edu, or stop by M321 to fill out an application. It only takes a few minutes! You can also make an appointment using our free online service or fill out an application online [include hyperlink to trio application].

You can also visit us on Facebook to learn more about our service and participants.

John Stacey John Stacey, ‘13

The TRIO program here at Medaille College has helped me in many ways, such as having access to tutoring, workshops, and just having a place where I can do my work and feel welcomed.