August 24, 2020

Media Contact:
Ivan Valdovinos, TRIO SSS director, 509-682-6979, ivaldovinos@wvc.edu
Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509-682-6436 (T-Th.)

The grant for Wenatchee Valley College TRIO Student Support Services was renewed this year. TRIO SSS was awarded $1,309,435 ($261,887 annually) for the 2020-2025 grant cycle.

TRIO SSS is a federally-funded program that helps provide academic and other support services to low-income, first-generation or disabled college students to increase students’ retention and graduation rates, facilitate their transfer from two-year to four-year colleges, and foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of its participants.

WVC's TRIO SSS team provides individualized support to 140 participants every academic year in a number of areas including financial literacy, tutoring, academic advising, transfer assistance, career planning and more. Nearly 80% of TRIO students complete their associate degrees, and 60 percent of students earn their associate degree and transfer to a four-year university.

“Our students succeed academically, but they also receive scholarships, awards and mentorship opportunities, and are active in student government and clubs,” said TRIO SSS Director Ivan Valdovinos. “TRIO students leave WVC prepared to continue their educational journey.”

During this upcoming grant cycle, Valdovinos said TRIO will implement a Career Mentorship Program. The program will leverage local industry mentors to enhance participants’ career readiness skills and network, ensuring a smoother transition from college to career.

Students may view eligibility requirements or submit an application at wvc.edu/TRIO.

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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website, wvc.edu.

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Director of Student Access, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.