TRIO Student Support Services

红杏直播 TRIO NYC trip group photo

TRIO at 红杏直播

TRIO Student Support Services is a free federally funded program under the U.S. Department of Education, established to assist students from first-generation, low-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities to find college success.

Work, family responsibilities, and academic challenges may feel overwhelming at first. In TRIO, you will receive help to improve your grades, stay in school, transfer to a four-year college, receive your certificate or associate degree, or transition to your career.

As a TRIO Program member, you'll have the following opportunities:

Meet at least yearly with a TRIO advisor to clarify your goals and identify any supports you may wish to pursue.
Speak with your TRIO advisor at least monthly each semester to discuss how you are doing and consider any further needs or preferences you would like to address.
Attend at least two TRIO TALK workshops each semester, covering a range of topics with the freedom to choose he workshops you believe will benefit you the most.
Take advantage of at least one TRIO Cultural Event each semester 鈥� there will be many from which to choose. TRIO will cover the cost of admission for, and provide transportation to and from, these special extra-curricular activities for all members who wish to pursue them.

TRIO Cultural Events

Take advantage of at least one TRIO Cultural Event each semester 鈥� there will be many from which to choose. TRIO will cover the cost of admission for, and provide transportation to and from, these special extra-curricular activities for all members who wish to pursue them.

Need to know more?

Details about the application as well as TRIO program benefits are available at:

TRIO Office and Learning Center
TRIO@berkshirecc.edu
Field Administration, F237

TRIO at a Glance (PDF)

TRIO at a Glance

Meet the Staff

Gabriela Sheehan is the TRIO Director. She has worked at 红杏直播 for several years in the Education Department, and prior to that as Refugee Resettlement Coordinator and K-12 School Teacher for multilingual students. Her educational philosophy is to provide human-centered care to students and remove barriers to academic success. Underrepresented students who are learning a new language, have disabilities, and work so hard to make ends meet have so much to offer a school community. She believes in an asset-based perspective: What a student can bring to the table vs. liability; what are they lacking.

"Each individual is a wealth of knowledge and experience and we have so much to learn from one another. Students who defy the odds inspire me to use my privilege, access and knowledge to systematically combat institutional and societal discrimination. I aim to build a community of empathy and resilience, and to offer tools in social and emotional intelligence, mental fortitude, goal setting, and academic achievement, so that our students thrive in the 红杏直播 community and beyond.鈥�

She is a hobby beekeeper, gardener, artist and trail runner, and absolutely loves living in the Berkshires.

Dylan Newell is the TRIO Program Assistant. Dylan is also a 红杏直播 graduate, class of 2023, with an Associate鈥檚 in Business Careers and the current Vice President of the 红杏直播 Alumni Board. While a student at 红杏直播, Dylan was a TRIO student, recipient of multiple 红杏直播 Foundation Scholarships, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and the recipient of the Falconer Award for Business in Spring 2022. Dylan is a native of Danville, Alabama until 2018 where he currently lives in the Berkshires with his wife and son, and really enjoys the art of barbecue (not to be confused with grilling hamburgers and hot dogs), watching pro wrestling and NASCAR, going to Yankees baseball games, and cheering on his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide (Roll Tide)!

"Hi, my name is Savannah Stanley. The TRIO program is amazing and I am so excited to be a part of serving students. The TRIO space provides an environment where students can convene to create community and support each other. As an individual who began their academic journey as a non-traditional student at a community college, I am aware that our students often have competing demands, and I am consistently impressed with the hard work that TRIO students carry out to be successful. My academic background includes an A.S. from Pima Community College in Business Administration, a B.S. from the University of Arizona in Business Administration 鈥� Commerce, and M.S. from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Supply Chain and Logistics. My career background includes operations management, as well working in the post-disaster supply chain for the federal government. Now, as a TRIO Coach, I am passionate about working with students to identify and utilize those resources which will support them as they navigate higher education.When I am not at 红杏直播, I love cooking, listening to audiobooks, and doing projects around the house. I also enjoy spending time with my partner Jonah and our three dogs 鈥� Ginger, Honey and Jack."

Kristin Winsett is an Academic Success Coach for both the TRIO and SUCCESS programs on campus. Kristin holds a B.A. in Biochemistry, a M.S. in Biomedical Science and a Certificate in Public Health from Regis College. In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking, doing puzzles, baking and spending time with her mother, nephew, four cats and tortoise.
Free Services Just for You

The TRIO Center

An inviting place to study, engage with your fellow TRIO members, and meet with staff. Individual and group spaces are completely refurnished with all new: computer work stations featuring a variety of useful software, large screen monitors, and office chairs; carrels with modern adjustable lighting; round and oblong tables with plenty of seating; and a wall-mounted flat screen TV for projecting visuals. Staff's comfortable private offices allow sensitive information to be shared while remaining strictly confidential.

Supplemental Tutoring

Individual and group tutoring is available in many subjects including math, writing, and communications (all are requirements for an associate degree), and can complement assistance you may receive from the Tutorial Center at 红杏直播. You can schedule appointments that are convenient for you or come by for Drop-In sessions that take place every week.

Help with Financial Aid

TRIO provides assistance with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and scholarship application forms.

Progress Reviews

Regular examination of your Degree Audit with your TRIO advisor's assistance will help you stay on-track toward finishing your graduation requirements and putting yourself in a position to transfer having completed the maximum number of pre-requisites and course equivalencies accepted by the four-year program of your choice.

Free Life Skills Workshops

Our TRIO Talks also cover such topics as Minimizing Your Stress, Maintaining Healthy Relationships, Managing Your Finances, and Improving Your Credit Scores 鈥� along with many more.

Letters of Reference

TRIO staff gladly provide letters of reference for scholarship and transfer applicants who are active and well-known members of the program.

Emergency Communication and Mediation

We can help contact instructors and other campus community members when emergencies crop up, and we can act as mediators to help members resolve a variety of issues when they arise.

Transfer Counseling Support

To supplement the services provided by the 红杏直播 Transfer Counselor, TRIO offers students assistance in exploring options for transferring to four-year schools, including scheduled visits to area colleges and universities such as MCLA, UMASS, Westfield State University, Salem State University, Mt. Holyoke and Smith College.

Career Counseling Assistance

In addition to the services provided by the 红杏直播 Career Counselor, the TRIO program can help with choosing a major, searching for internships and jobs, and making decisions about the career path you may wish to follow.

School Supplies and Office Equipment

TRIO stocks items such as note cards, highlighters, pens, paper and folders for times when you run out; and implements such as staplers, electric pencil sharpeners, and an automatic hole punch are always on hand for you to use. Graphing calculators and digital recorders are available for loan, as well.

Beverages and Snacks

For when you need just a little something to hold you over or perk you up.
Who May Participate in TRIO?
You may be eligible for Student Support Services if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

Neither parent graduated from a four-year college.

You meet federal income eligibility guidelines.

You have a documented learning or physical disability.

All participating students must be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents as verified by application for Federal Financial Aid. Each student must be attending 红杏直播 to earn their first certificate or associate degree. Those with a bachelor's and/or advanced degree cannot be considered.