TRIO PROGRAM AT BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY AWARDED FIVE-YEAR GRANT FUNDING

The highly successful Student Support Services TRIO program at Black Hills State University recently was awarded a $1.7 million dollar grant that will ensure the TRIO program continues to provide exceptional opportunities for students for the allotted five-year timeframe.

Ashley Kirchner, Director of Student Support Services (SSS) at BHSU, noted that BHSU is pleased to offer the TRIO program and is very proud of the students for their successes.

Kirchner oversees the TRIO grant program at BHSU. In the last year the program exceeded their goals in all three of their performance objects. Student Support Services (SSS), which serves 200 students including 77 first-generation students, increased the retention rate of participants to 84 percent. In addition, 93 percent of the SSS enrolled participants reached Good Academic Standing. The group also exceeded their goal for the graduation rate of participants.

“These numbers further confirm the kind of impact that retention services can have on the success of students, especially those who are identified with some of the highest needs,” Kirchner said. “We appreciate the great faculty and staff at BHSU that makes reaching these numbers possible.” 

BHSU bachelor degree seeking students who are first-generation, who have a disability that impacts their learning in the classroom or are income eligible can apply to be a part of TRIO. Please reach out to Ashley.Kirchner@bhsu.edu 605-642-6824 for more information.