Federal and state grants flow to WestConn's student support program

Western Connecticut State University’s Pre-Collegiate & Access Programs, led by Director Rob Pote and his staff, received nearly $900,000 in federal and state funding this year to support underserved students.

The Student Support Services (SSS) program received for the first time a federal TRIO SSS grant $272,364 from the U.S. Department of Education for programming that will provide comprehensive advising, mentoring, and other academic support specifically targeted at low-income, first-generation, and disabled students. Key offerings include priority registration to ensure participants can enroll in necessary courses, career preparation to help them navigate their professional paths, and continuous progress tracking to monitor and support their academic journey. By addressing these critical areas, the SSS program strives to enhance the educational experience and outcomes for its participants.

The Promoting Academically Successful Students (PASS) program received $100,000 from the Connecticut State Department of Higher Education. This program targets college students on academic probation or warning. PASS uses peer mentoring, weekly workshops, and personalized support to help students regain good academic standing and persist toward graduation. Services include tutoring referrals, academic coaching, and access to the PCAAP Lending Library.

The Upward Bound & ConnCAP programs earned a federal TRIO grant of $311,980 from the U.S. Department of Education and another $200,000 from the Connecticut State Department of Higher Education for initiatives that serve middle and high school students in Danbury. These year-round programs begin recruiting in seventh grade and provide academic enrichment, leadership development, and college readiness support. Key activities include a six-week summer program, career counseling, and workshops on financial literacy and college applications and readiness.