FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Contact: Robert Preston, Jr.,
912.260.4276
robert.preston@sgc.edu
Former students reflect on role of TRiO SSS in pursuit of excellence at 30th
anniversary luncheon
Three former South Georgia College students
reflected on the tremendous difference the TRiO Student Support Services (SSS)
made in their education experience at the TRiO SSS 30th anniversary luncheon
on Friday, July 18.
Following their comments, keynote speaker Camille Zeigler, President of
SAEOPP and Director of Educational Talent Search at Atlanta Metropolitan
College, offered her own words of encouragement to the audience.
In the fall of 1978, SGC began the Special Services Program, now known as
TRiO Student Support Services. For 30 years, the program has focused its
attention on the needs of the students, and in celebration of its many years
of service, former SSS students, staff, and faculty were invited back to SGC
to participate in a variety of events.
Funded by the U. S. Department of Education, the SSS program strives to
enhance academic success by providing varied services to eligible students.
These services include peer tutoring, success workshops, various areas of
counseling (academic, career, personal, and financial aid), cultural
enrichment, career planning, and assistance with transferring to senior
colleges and universities.
SSS is one of several federally-funded TRiO programs established by Congress
in 1965. These programs are designed to promote the expansion of equal
educational opportunities for middle school, high school, and college
students. TRiO programs are offered at over 1,000 colleges, universities,
and agencies across the nation; an estimated 10.5 million Americans have
benefited from the services of these programs.
“Without such a program at SGC, many students would not graduate. TRiO
students often lack access to important college knowledge and the process of
preparing and completing a college education. SSS provides a variety of
supportive services needed to help students complete their programs of
study. Graduates will go on to complete Bachelor’s degrees, become gainfully
employed, or enter branches of military service. These are the first steps
of becoming productive and contributing members of the community at large,”
said Angela Nuga, Director of SSS at SGC.
Last Friday, Peggy Dobbs, Vershonda Scott and Isaac Howard demonstrated,
through their own personal experiences, how TRiO provided them with the
necessary tools to complete their education. Peggy Dobbs came to Douglas in
1982. She was a single parent, and found employment opportunities scarce.
She decided to enroll at South Georgia College, and found that she faced
myriad challenges as she pursued her Associate’s degree. She soon learned
about TRiO (then simply called Student Support Services), and discovered the
support network that enabled her to graduate. “I want to thank Student
Support Services for all they did for me. They gave me the support and
confidence to get an education,” she said.
Because of her involvement with SSS TRiO, Peggy received her Associate’s
degree from SGC in 1985. She graduated from Valdosta State University in
1995 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She has worked at SGC since
1985 and is currently the Director of Business Services.
Vershonda Scott attended SGC twice. In 1992, she received an Associate’s
degree in Psychology, and followed that with an Associate’s in Computer
Information Systems a decade later. Soon after enrolling, she said she found
the workload overwhelming. Vershonda heard a professor mention SSS, and she
thought it would be a good idea to visit the organization for help. She
received tutoring and learned better study habits and time management
skills. Maybe more importantly, she found encouragement to keep going in the
face of adversity. “When I would experience any doubt about reaching my
education goals, Student Support Services was there pushing me,” she said.
Her involvement in SSS led her to Thomas University, where she received her
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2008. She is a discharge planner/social
worker at Archbold Memorial Hospital in Thomasville.
Isaac Howard graduated from SGC with honors in 2003. “SSS gave me the
opportunity to believe in myself. If I believe in myself, I can achieve
anything,” said Howard. He credits SSS with transforming him from simply a
student in college to a young adult with dreams of something much larger. He
graduated from SGC in 2003 with a degree in Criminal Justice. He enrolled in
the University of Georgia, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2005.
Howard continued his studies in South Africa after receiving a fellowship
from the University of Pennsylvania. In 2006, Howard was accepted into the
University of Georgia School of Law, where he is currently in his final year
of studies. “I wasn’t UGA material when I graduated from high school. But I
became one thanks to Student Support Services,” he said.
In her remarks, keynote speaker Camille Zeigler asked the audience to
reflect upon the lessons learned from Student Support Services. “You
realized that you could obtain a college degree and be successful in life.
You learned how to study and manage your time. You learned how to get
financial aid and how to stretch those resources. You learned to believe in
yourself and celebrate your accomplishments,” she said.
“I’m truly humbled today to be here among these achievers and those who
helped them achieve,” said SGC Interim President Dr. Virginia Carson. “These
programs are competitively funded. Many colleges would like to have a year
or two of TRiO services. To have this program funded for 30 years
speaks highly of this college.”
The luncheon capped a week of activities celebrating three decades of
Student Support Services. On Tuesday, July 15, SSS staff hosted a reception
for SGC faculty and staff in Peterson Hall. On July 16,
SSS participants took part in brain teasers and games. The following day,
former SSS participants Monica Pace and Melvin Williams helped facilitate a
workshop titled “Navigate Your Journey: Setting Goals and Reaching Them.”
For more information about Student Support Services at SGC, call the SSS
office at 912.260.4436.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Camille Zeigler,
keynote speaker at South Georgia College’s banquet honoring 30 years of
Student Support Services (SSS), stands with SSS director Angela Nuga and
Interim SGC President Dr. Virginia Carson.
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About South Georgia College
South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu)
was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System
of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives
students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close
collaboration with faculty.
