Commonwealth University awarded 5-year TRIO grant to support students
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PA (07/14/2025) — The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Commonwealth University a federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant to improve college retention and graduation rates among low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities.
The five-year (2025-30) grant total for CU is $4,855,160.
"The TRIO Student Support Services programs serve as a lifeline for so many of our students who may be facing academic or other challenges. The programs offer the relief of knowing they are not alone and help provide resources and services for these students to persist and earn their degree," said Bashar W. Hanna, CU president. "We are proud this grant allows CU to continue offering these services and to further invest in the success and well-being of our students."
"We are delighted to receive this grant in support of our TRIO Student Support Services programs on all three of our CU campuses," said Michelle Kiec, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. "TRIO SSS offers our students crucial and even life-changing support and services, equipping them with the tools to help them succeed and thrive during their academic journey."
CU's TRIO Student Support Services programs are led by campus-based directors including Kelly Foran (CU-Bloomsburg), Natalie Serafini Lombardi (CU-Lock Haven) and Kim Lamar Shelton (CU-Mansfield).
According to CU's three TRIO SSS directors, this grant will allow CU to further its commitment to ensuring all students - regardless of educational barriers - can succeed academically and develop personally at Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield.
Additionally, the directors stressed that the TRIO SSS program levels the playing field and strengthens the student experience by equipping our students with the resources, guidance, and support to graduate.
Bloomsburg was awarded $332,393 per year for a total of $1,661,965, while Lock Haven was awarded $353,530 per year for a total of $1,762,650 and Mansfield was awarded $286,109 per year for a total of $1,430,545.
SSS is one of eight federal TRIO programs funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to remove social, academic, and cultural barriers to higher education. Since its inception in 1968, SSS has helped millions of low-income, first-generation students graduate from college and contribute to their communities and the economy.
Through individualized services including academic tutoring, financial aid, scholarship guidance, career exploration, personal and academic counseling, and mentoring, TRIO SSS empowers students to overcome barriers to success. These comprehensive supports make it significantly more likely that students will complete their degree or successfully transfer, with the lowest possible debt.
For more information about TRIO Student Support Services at Commonwealth University, visit www.commonwealthu.edu/offices-directory/trio-student-support-services.
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