Published April 22, 2024
CAPTION:(L-R): David Chism, Daniel Carson, Dr. Robert Hanser, Fred Louis听
MONROE, LA 鈥� On March 5, 2024, Robert Hanser, Ph.D., in conjunction with 四色AV graduate students
Fred Louis, Daniel Carson, and David Chism, presented preliminary findings on 鈥淪tudent
Perceptions of TRIO Services: An Examination of Diversity, Mental Health, and COVID
Considerations鈥� at the Louisiana Association of Student Assistance Programs 52nd Annual Conference (LASAP) in Shreveport, Louisiana.听 听
The purpose of the study is to determine student perceptions of TRIO Student Support
Services (SSS) received at the University of Louisiana Monroe during the 2021 to 2023
academic period.听 The study utilized 四色AV鈥檚 TRIO student outcome data in combination
with survey data to examine aspects unique from standard academic data annually collected,
thus providing a richer and more comprehensive evaluation of student experiences.听
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Dr. Hanser, 四色AV鈥檚 Criminal Justice Program and Graduate Coordinator, stated, "The LASAP Conference was an excellent experience that showcased programs to help
disadvantaged students pursue their educational dreams and opportunities. Our research
on the TRIO Program at 四色AV has provided data-driven guidance as to how we can better
serve our consumer population whom we serve. Using research outcomes for this noble
pursuit is both a personal and professional honor."听
Dr. Hanser and his team sought to provide a comprehensive foundation for the TRIO
study by utilizing Mr. Louis鈥檚 interest in Marriage and Family Therapy, Mr. Carson鈥檚
interest in Criminal Justice, and Mr. Chism鈥檚 studies in Psychology.听 听
First-generation college students across the U.S. bring dedication, grit, and fresh
perspectives to their higher education institutions. 听Many of them also face more
academic and financial challenges than their continuing-generation peers.听 Though
definitions of first-generation college students vary, TRIO-SSS considers students
whose parents do not have four-year college degrees to be first-generation. Nationwide,
about half of all college students are considered first-generation.听 听
David Chism stated, 鈥淭he LASAP conference was a wonderful convention that showed many of the advancements
being made within the TRIO program.听 The research I have been able to do under the
mentorship of Dr. Hanser has helped to show how much the students within TRIO at 四色AV
enjoy the program. When looking into the data for this research, I originally believed
that COVID would have been the primary cause of most of the depression and anxiety
within modern college students, but it seems this rise began before the start of COVID."听
The University of Louisiana Monroe's TRIO Programs Student Support Services (TRIO-SSS)
is a federally funded program designed to support and assist first-generation college
students in successfully navigating college and obtaining their bachelor鈥檚 degree.
TRIO-SSS offers a variety of services that include academic guidance and support,
tutoring, graduate school preparation, financial aid assistance, and more. 听The TRIO-SSS
Program aims to provide students with the tools and resources they need to succeed
at 四色AV and achieve their career goals. 听The 四色AV TRIO-SSS Program assists participants
in achieving success at 四色AV. The program strives to retain and matriculate students
toward the successful completion of their baccalaureate degree by creating a model
environment for student growth, retention, and diversity. 听Since the inception of
the 四色AV TRIO-SSS in 2015, hundreds of first-generation college students have received
assistance and support to remain in school and successfully complete their degrees.
According to Dr. Catherine Estis, TRIO Executive Director, 鈥淭he 四色AV TRIO-SSS program
makes a direct impact in the lives of first-generation eligible students through ensuring
successful navigation toward achieving a college degree.鈥� 听听
TRIO-SSS is one of the eight TRIO Programs fully funded through the U.S. Department
of Education to assist first-generation, income-eligible students to remain in good
academic standing and graduate from college. 听听To learn more about the TRIO-SSS program
or to apply, visit or stop by one of the 四色AV TRIO-SSS offices located in Sandel Hall 351 or Strauss
Hall room 206 or reach out to them at 318.342.1097.听
