TRIO/SSS at Iowa Western Community College
TRIO/SSS at Iowa Western is a federal grant program that provides services to 175 eligible students for FREE!
TRIO/SSS staff support participants both inside and outside the classroom to help students achieve academic success, graduate from Iowa Western Community College, and transfer to a 4-year institution of his/her/their choice to complete a Bachelor’s degree. A variety of FREE services are provided to assist students.
Who is Eligible to Join?
All students who are selected for TRIO Student Support Services must meet one of the following criteria:
- Student must be a “First-Generation” college student. This means your parent(s)/guardian(s) who raised you does NOT have a Bachelor Degree (4 year) or higher
- Student must meet a certain income guideline based on information provided by the student on the FAFSA application or income verification documents
- Student has a documented disability on file with Iowa Western’s Accommodation Services Office.
In addition to the qualifying criteria above, students accepted into the TRIO/SSS program must also meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. Citizen or meet Federal Student Aid requirements for “permanent residency”
- Be accepted or enrolled at Iowa Western Community College in a transferrable program with intent to transfer
- You must not already possess a 2-year degree or higher
- You cannot be already participating in another program, such as Pottawattamie Promise
How to Apply
Students who have been accepted to Iowa Western and are interested in participating in the TRIO/SSS program are required to submit an application. There is no deadline to apply. However, due to the limited space in the program (175 students), we encourage students to apply at the beginning of the academic year. Admittance into the program is based on the review of a submitted application by the TRIO/SSS Program Director.
Upon admittance, into the program, students will complete a one-on-one orientation and onboarding process with the TRIO/SSS team.
What Our Recent Graduates are Saying about TRIO/SSS
“TRIO has so much to offer students. What is also nice about TRIO is your advisor is a one-stop-shop for what you need on campus. The TRIO lab has specialists that can help you with homework. Your advisor can help with that too. Also, they have all kinds of resources that are at your disposal to help you become better at your studies and your schooling. When I first entered the TRIO program, I did not use it much at first. Now I use it to study, write papers, and help others. Do not be afraid to go to your TRIO advisor or the other TRIO team members because they were there to help you whether it is school-related personal issues or whatever might be going on.” -Nick Dover, Spring 2021 Graduate Culinary Arts AAS
“Since I came to Iowa Western everyone has been so helpful whether that be helping me find a class, advising or help with tutoring, etc. I have enjoyed my time with the TRIO program here and have really benefited from all of their services. I think I also have really grown as a person and from my work since joining TRIO. I have met so many great people through TRIO and would not have otherwise.” -Evan Gress, Fall 2021 Graduate Associate of Arts
“This is the third college that I’ve attended and I never was able to be a part of TRIO and I feel like I didn’t get accepted at a better time. These last couple of years have been crazy for me, but one thing about my TRIO family; they keep me so level focused, and just motivated. Days I wanted to give up, they encouraged me and gave me words of wisdom to keep believing in myself to keep pushing. I am finally graduating and it is by far one of the biggest things I’ve ever done in my life. It is something that I have been wanting to accomplish for so long.” -Shavonnedia Gaines, Spring 2021 Graduate Associate of Arts
Contact Information
TRIO/SSS
2700 College Rd
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Ph: 712-325-3250
E-mail: trio@iwcc.edu
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Accepted TRIO/SSS Student Information
All students who are accepted into the TRIO/SSS program must complete an online orientation. If you have been accepted and need to complete this orientation, go to our Orientation Dashboard
What it Means to be Part of TRiO/SSS
Living Learning Communities are small groups of students, faculty, and staff who work closely together creating a “community of learners.” Students who choose to live in an LLC, share a common interest, take one or more classes together, and participate in out-of-class experiences led by staff and faculty.
Benefits of living in the TRIO/SSS LLC
- Enhanced academic and social opportunities
- Connection to staff and faculty
- Increased sense of connection to campus
- Greater involvement in learning
- Increased academic success, including persistence to graduation
Meet Our Staff
TRIO/SSS Program Director
Emily O’Rourke
Ph: (712) 325-3479
eorourke@iwcc.edu
First-Generation Student
TRIO/SSS Professional Academic Specialist-Writing
Stephanie Strine
Ph: (712) 325-3250
E-mail: sstrine@iwcc.edu
TRIO/SSS Student Support Specialist
Amanda Pond
Ph: (712) 256-7056
E-mail: apond@iwcc.edu
First-Generation Student
TRIO/SSS Professional Academic Specialist-Math
Elna Hopkins
Ph: (712) 325-3250
E-mail: ehopkins@iwcc.edu
TRIO/SSS Professional Academic Specialist-Science
Grace Thomas
Ph: (712) 325-3250
E-mail: gthomas@iwcc.edu
First-Generation Student