Change is coming...

Aloha TRiO SSS,

TRiO SSS is alive and kicking and getting ready for the 2010 Fall semester, but for you TRiO SSS old timers, some familiar faces will be missing. We have had a fun and successful run for the past 5 years (we’ve averaged a 20.29% graduation rate which is about double WCC’s and averaged 35.25% graduating and/or transferring to a 4 year college/university).

The grant ended its five-year cycle. Geri, Kanani, and Roy will no longer be working at TRiO SSS. Russell will continue to supervise and manage the tutoring; Roy will be around to train the new personnel, finish up loose ends, and complete the annual report; and Vice-Chancellor for Student Services, Dr. Lui Hokoana (yes, the guy who’s life size picture is in our office) will be the interim director and provide the overall leadership and supervision until a new director is hired.

One of the goals is for more students to take advantage of the services and make TRiO SSS a major resource for college as well as their “home” on campus. We have had great success with our current model, but we feel it can be even more successful with more students helping, tutoring, volunteering, and buying in to the program. Along with the new role of students, new personnel will bring in creative ideas and energy to move the program to the next level.

Lastly, another major goal of TRiO SSS is for the current students to turn around and help the new students coming to college for the first time or returning after a long absence. With this new model, it will have more opportunities for students to give back the help and comfort they received when they first came to WCC. So…the challenge to you old timers is to remember the uncertainty, fear, and anxiety you felt your first day at WCC and to help a new student become a TRiO SSS old timer.

Aloha and mahalo,

roy