SOU TRiO Program Receives $1.3 Million Federal Grant

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University was recently notified that its TRiO program has been awarded a $1.3 million federal grant in order to continue operations on campus at SOU for the next five years. TRiO, which is part of the larger Success at Southern program, has been operating at SOU since 1994.
The TRiO program provides additional student support services to students from traditionally underserved populations, including low income, first-generation, and students with disabilities. Students who qualify for the TRiO program receive individualized student coaching, initial and annual assessment of academic needs, development of a personal education plan, and academic support, including tutoring, study groups, academic advising, and career preparation workshops.
“The goal of all of these services is to help more students overcome obstacles and reach graduation on time,” according to Jane Reeder, Success at Southern program coordinator. “Research has proven that these interventions lead to higher rates of graduation, particularly among these underserved groups.”
SOU’s TRiO program serves 190 students per year. The grant application that SOU submitted received the maximum score from three readers and multiple comments about the quality and rigor of the program.
“We are very proud of that feedback,” Reeder said. “It really shows that we are going above and beyond in our efforts to help more students succeed.”
For more information about SOU’s TRiO program or eligibility requirements, visit www.sou.edu/success or call 541-552-6062.
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About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100% of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.