9:22 a.m., June 17, 2009----The University of Delaware's Student Support Services Program (SSSP) held a spring gala May 21 to celebrate the recently completed academic year and to recognize the program's 31 graduating seniors.

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Among the members of the Class of 2009 was Dulce DePina, whose testimonial at the gala expressed her gratitude for the many ways in which SSSP helped her throughout her college career and described her new position as a legislative aide.

“SSSP helped me mature both academically and socially for the college atmosphere,” DePina said. “I was so impressed by the program that I became a mentor. Without SSSP, I don't know if I would have been able to attain the maturity necessary for my current job at the Massachusetts State House.”

The gala was attended by 50 SSSP participants and included an awards ceremony, dinner, and much camaraderie.

Awards presented included those for Excellence in TRIO, Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average, Best Participation, ARC Award, SSSSpirit Award and a Delaware State TRIO Organization (DSTO) Scholarship Award.

"The Academic Enrichment Center (AEC) is proud to be able to provide SSSP as an integral part of our services to UD students. Over the years, our program staff and students have developed a community of mutual support that continues to be instrumental in our participants' academic and personal success," says Lysbet Murray, AEC associate director.

SSSP is a federal TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The term TRIO was coined in the 1960s in reference to three federal educational opportunity programs -- Upward Bound, Talent Search and Student Support Services.

The objective of SSSP is to support and encourage students who are first-generation college students and/or who come from a low-income background to persist and succeed in college.

Services provided to UD SSSP participants include academic and personal counseling, individual and group tutoring, and a variety of educational workshops.

Social and cultural activities also are an important part of SSSP. During the 2008-09 academic year, participants visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., saw Mamma Mia! in NewYork City, came together for welcome back functions in the fall and spring, enjoyed a Winter Session pizza party and took a group ice skating lesson.

Students in their first year of SSSP each are assigned a trained peer mentor, who helps the participant in adjusting to college life, navigating resources, and joining in SSSP activities.

Participants also have access to the new Academic Resource Center (ARC) located on the third floor of the Academic Enrichment Center. The ARC provides a quiet atmosphere in which to study, and provides Internet access and a resource library with financial aid information, study skills resources, and graduate school testing information.

SSSP also conducts workshops in the ARC, including a well-received series on relaxation techniques to combat test anxiety.

For more information about the Student Support Services Program, call 831-4993.