By Marla Buchanan, Shannon Negray and Sunny Tunget
Project Success students, responding to a survey about services provided by that Federally
funded program, said they were satisfied.
The project assists low-income, first-generation, and physically or learning disabled students. The purpose of the program is to provide a supportive environment that encourages the personal and academic growth of program participants.
According to the staff, one of the biggest misconceptions about the program is that Project Success is only for the physically and/or mentally disabled.
Counselor Wendi Weiden said that is a "very big misconception."
Director Marty Wygmans added, "We serve students on all learning levels."
Counselor Meg Kowalczyk said, "Several students have a 4.0."
Last year, 53 students graduated with an average GPA of 2.73. Twelve students were Cum Laude, and one student was Magna Cum Laude.
The services provided by the program include:
- Priority registration
- Personal attention and support
- Academic advising
- Transfer assistance
- Cultural enrichment/leadership training
- Workshops and Support groups
- Limited scholarships
- Financial aid application assistance
Project Success, introduced to IVCC in fall of 1997, provides services and cultural activities that might be otherwise inaccessible. On Feb. 17 Project Success sponsored a trip to see "Blue Man Group" at the Briar Street Theater in Chicago.
Weiden said, "We offer a variety of cultural events. ‘Blue Man’ is more of a performance art. Summer events are more laid back and outdoorsy. Fall and winter, we emphasize more indoor events."
Wygmans suggested that students stop in the office [E-301] to fill out an application to see if they are eligible.
As part of the federally funded TRIO program, Project Success receives a grant of approximately $194,000 annually. TRIO began as three federal programs in 1965 known as Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support Services.
Since 1965, TRIO has grown to include seven federal program that include Upward Bound Math Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Educational Opportunity Centers, and Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Programs.
TRIO programs are now offered at over 1,200 colleges, universities, and agencies nationwide and serve nearly 730,000 Americans.