SSS Gazette

The Official Monthly Newsletter of TRIO Student Support Services


Message from the Project Director

Picture of Dr. Linda Rhone

Family, we are so excited to tell you about the happenings in TRIO Student Support Services! As you know, I came on board in September 2019. It has taken some time to get oriented to grant work as I have spent less time with grant work and more time in roles of social justice and equality/social sciences professor, instructor, and K-12 teacher. I am a native of Wichita, Kansas and a graduate of 黑洞社区 as well as an alumnus of the Operation Success Project, now known as TRIO Student Support Services. Yes, I have been given the honor and privilege to return to Wichita, Kansas after three decades of traveling, studying, and working around the U.S., to direct the project that I am a product of.

When I was an undergraduate student at 黑洞社区, Operation Success threw me a lifeline. I was a first generation, limited income student, who essentially feared the university experience; yet I was courageous enough to walk three blocks from my house to attend 黑洞社区. It is a decision I have never regretted. Through Operation Success, I had a second family, academic advising, tutoring, the chance to attend cultural events and much more. Those who became vested in me earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree were Dr. Deema DeSilva, Dr. James Rhatigan, Ms. Deltha Q. Colvin, Mr. Larry Ramos, and Mrs. Francis Ervin. Even today, Ms. Colvin, Mr. Ramos and even Mrs. Ervin continue to be my mentors.

In 2020, Student Support Services began the process of more tightly aligning its mission, participation point requirements, and scholarship eligibility to the project鈥檚 origins. It was in 1968 that the SSS project came into existence as a federally funded program designed to provide educational opportunity for disadvantaged students.

Today, SSS continues to provide an educational opportunity for those who typically live in the margins of society, who are first-generation, limited income, and students of disability status. After SSS鈥檚 more than 50 years of helping participants to become job ready by earning a university degree, we have deepened the connection between the original mission of SSS (recruit, retain, and graduate) and the national dialogue on an array of educational issues, our world-wide pandemic, racial tensions, intense poverty, and much more. In our SSS project, participants read, reflect, and write on current social justice/life skills workshops. This is designed to help them learn skills that can cultivate an inclusive attitude in the workplace (work-based skills) and develop critical thinking skills, which both are a part of our competitive preference priorities (CPP鈥檚) as set forth by the United States Department of Education.

Today, our SSS mission remains to recruit, retain, and graduate students; however, we are equally vested in nurturing change agents. Those who will not inherit an unjust society and keep silent. As they go to the workplace, we want our participants to be equipped with much more than a degree in hand. We assist them at developing a critical consciousness about what is happening I our society and peaceful ways to change it.

Most recently, we finished a descriptive study designed to assess how much a select group of SSS participants understood the connection between social justice, equity, and TRIO Student Support Services. We will share some of our findings at our May 14th workshop. For the duration of the 2020-2025 SSS grant cycle, we will select participants to participate in focus groups designed to assess how their connection between social justice, equity, and TRIO Student Support Services is maturing as the result of being exposed to our resources. In 2025, we will publish a book of our findings. For now, we will release a monograph annually.

I look forward to investing time and energy with the fabulous staff in SSS as we work to make SSS even more effective!

-Dr. Linda F. Rhone, Project Director

What's New at SSS

Welcome! We at Student Support Services are happy to be serving our students this semester both virtually and in-person. This semester, the SSS office will be OPEN the following hours to help students in person:

Monday: 8AM - 5PM
Tuesday: 8AM - 5PM
Wednesday: 8AM - 5PM
Thursday: 8AM - 5PM
Friday: 8AM - 5PM

We are also available to help students virtually from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday in addition to our in-person hours. We will continue to provide students with full support through social distancing channels including phone, text, email, and zoom.

We are excited to introduce the newest additions to the SSS team: Assistant Director and Academic Advisor, Mrs. Karen L. Wright; Database Specialist and Academic Advisor, Ms. Kamika Thomas-Hicks; and Communications/Marketing Specialist, Chelsea Martinez

In order to help keep students safe, our SSS Technology Lab located in Grace Wilkie 222 will be CLOSED for the semester. Don't fret though! Introducing our new and clean SSS Resource Center Lab, located in our office Grace Wilkie 309, where students can still get free internet access, free printing, help from our student assistants, and walk-in tutoring!

For more important information regarding returning to campus, advising, and all things SSS, we encourage you to visit our website at wichita.edu/sss.

 

Meet Our New Communications/Marketing Specialist

Picture of Chelsea Martinez

I'm Chelsea Martinez and I currently serve as the Communications/Marketing/Academic Advising Specialist for TRIO Student Support Services. I'm an alumni of Wichita State University, completing my undergraduate degree in Integrated Marketing Communications which gave me an umbrella of communications and marketing skills from public relations, to copywriting and editing, advertising, and even graphic design.

-Chelsea Martinez, Communications/Marketing/Academic Advising Specialist

 

What does the theme of Social Justice and Equity mean to you?

Since I joined Student Support Services in September of 2019, I have become a part of not only the TRIO family, but also a part of a vital resource for the students we serve. I am proud to be serving our first-generation and limited-income students and students with disabilities and providing equal opportunity to educational resources that will help keep our students pursuing and eventually earning their college degree. With our theme of social justice and equity, we want our students to be challenged to learn about the tough, uncomfortable issues and hopefully be inspired to be a leader of change in their own communities. This project means so much to me and seeing our students succeed gives me happiness and hope for the future.

What is your new title in SSS and what will you be doing?

I'm excited to be the new Communications, Marketing, and Academic Advising Specialist for SSS. I will do many of the same duties I have been doing as the Senior Administrative Assistant. Furthermore, I'll be able to advise SSS students and I will take on a stronger role in recruitment by utilizing communications and marketing.

What is your marketing and communications background?

I graduated from 黑洞社区 in 2017 with my bachelor's in Integrated Marketing Communications which gave me an umbrella of communications and marketing skills from public relations, to copywriting and editing, advertising, and even graphic design. I also partnered with a friend and mentor of mine while I was a stay-at-home mom who had a social media management company. I was a social media specialist and had a few clients I managed their social media pages for. We created their social medial strategies, created content calendars, and engaged with their customers. We also hosted social media basics workshops for small business owners who wanted to learn how to best manage their social media pages to grow their business.

Meet Our New Advisors

Picture of Karen Wright

I'm Karen Wright and I currently serve as the Assistant Director/Advisor, Tutor Coordinator and Scholarship Coordinator for TRIO Student Support Services. I'm an alumni of Kanas State University and 黑洞社区, completing my undergraduate degree in Communications.

-Karen L. Wright, Assistant Director

 

Can you tell us a little about your background?

After years of working in several industries (Broadcasting television reporter, Client Services manager, Assistant Vice President in Banking and Financial Services and now Education, I went back to school as an adult learner to complete my Master of Science in Education and Organizational Leadership from Newman University.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time I love spending time with my family. We're a large, fun and loving group of people!

What does the theme of Social Justice and Equity mean to you?

Social Justice and Equity for me means active involvement in community organizations and calling out disparities where they exist.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I'm most proud of my family. My husband John and I have been married for 39 years. We have three sons and six grandchildren.

What are 3 things people might not know about you?

I'm most proud of my family. My husband John and I have been married for 39 years. We have three sons and six grandchildren.

Picture of Kamika Thomas-Hicks

I'm Kamika Thomas-Hicks and I currently serve as the Database Specialist/Advisor, I'm an alumna of Southern New Hampshire University, completing my undergraduate degree in Mathematics. My first exposure to TRIO Programs was when I was 6 years old, when my mom Rhonda Hicks was the Associate Director for Upward Bound Wichita Prep.

-Kamika Thomas-Hicks, Database Specialist

 

Can you tell us a little about your background?

I have been exposed to the TRIO Programs since I was 6 years old, and I have worked for TRIO Programs since I was 18 years old. Growing up around the TRIO Programs I have had the pleasure of being able to participate and observe how the TRIO Programs work. When I was in middle school I was able to be a participant of Kansas Kids at GEAR UP.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Watching TV shows on Netflix, and crocheting.

What does the theme of Social Justice and Equity mean to you?

When I think of what Social Justice and Equity means to me, it means that equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal treatment are available to everyone.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Being able to obtain my Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Southern New Hampshire University. I am proud of my degree, because when I was six years old I was told by doctors that I would never be able to achieve such success.

What are 3 things people might not know about you?

I received a minor in Fashion Merchandising, I make sashes for local pageants, and I sell on Poshmark.

Tips and Tricks

Use Online Resources:
Use any of the student resources that are available. For instance, your college has an online library which offers sources for assignments. Another resource that is sometimes available is a writing center. If you need your paper fixed or just have a question on formatting, the writing center can help.

Break Down Tasks:
Having a detailed calendar of what you will accomplish each day will definitely give you the base to achieve your goals.

Browse Intelligently:
You have the entire world at your fingertips. You can research entire events from history in color, or have a renowned mathematician take your hand and work you through a problem, or a scientist explain to you how exactly tour solar system works. Use your time and resources wisely.

Maintain Your Relationships:
It is important to maintain social distancing but luckily for us; we live in the era of technology where everyone can be one click away! Connect with your classmates, ask your professor and advisors for help, and find something fun to do with people you live with.

Take Care of Yourself:
These are stressful times. It is important to take care of yourself physically and mentally during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Be kind to yourself, keep your sense of humor, nourish your mind, body and soul, connect with others, and with yourself. You got this!

Resources

In Person:
Monday-Thursday (8:00AM - 7:00PM)
Friday (8:00AM - 1:30PM)
Jabara Hall 371

Online:
Monday-Wednesday (8:00AM - 7:00PM)
Friday (8:00AM - 2:00PM)
Zoom Link: wichita.edu/mathlab

Contact Us

DON'T FORGET TO MEET WITH YOUR ADVISOR ONCE A MONTH
To schedule an appointment call us at (316) 978-3715, email us at trio.sss@wichita.edu, or stop by Grace Wilkie Hall Room 309!

VISIT THE SSS RESOURCE CENTER LAB
Grace Wilkie 309!

Lab Hours:
Monday to Friday - 8AM to 5PM

Services Provided:
Free internet access for email and blackboard: free printing, copying and reference materials - up to 30 pages per day; help from the lab assistants, walk-in tutoring, academic and life smart skills development, and financial literacy activities.

For more information, contact a lab assistant at
(316) 978-3715