MCC Hosts First Connecticut-Based New England Region SSS Professional Day
Manchester, Conn. (November 21, 2016) – Manchester Community College was selected to host the first Connecticut-located TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Professional Day by The New England Educational Opportunity Association. The event, held on the college’s main campus November 18, was attended by approximately 35 SSS professionals, including MCC’s own Jason Scappaticci, director of First Year and New Student programs; Linda Devlin, SSS math coordinator; Philip Burnham, SSS writing coordinator; and Latisha Nielsen, SSS coordinator.
They joined TRIO SSS staff and representatives from colleges and universities throughout New England to network, share best practices, and attend workshops on topics specific to working with first-generation and low-income college students. During lunch, participants heard from four MCC SSS students — Shannetta Dawkins, studying Criminal Justice; Oscar Dias, in General Studies/ Allied Health; Nelizabeth Diaz, a Liberal Art and Science student; and Tariq Pittman, enrolled in Communications — about how the college’s STARS program has helped them succeed in college.
In August 2015, MCC received a total of $1.1 million in annual funding over five years through a renewable TRIO SSS Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education to provide a centralized, structured student development and retention program for students as they work toward earning a degree.
About STARS – STARS is a grant-funded six-week, pre-college summer program that runs from mid-June to mid-August and is designed to prepare students for the academic year ahead. Prior to beginning their first semester at MCC, participants attend classes and workshops on campus Monday through Thursday and take educational trips on Fridays. Once a student completes the program and continues studying at MCC, he or she will have the assurance of knowing that a program coordinator will continue to be available for support and guidance throughout the student’s college tenure. The program and all associated expenses are free to participants.
