• History
• Services

• Eligibility
• Staff
• Contact

History

The history of TRIO is progressive. It began with Upward Bound, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to the administration's War on Poverty. In 1965, Talent Search, the second outreach program, was created as part of the Higher Education Act. In 1968, Student Support Services, was authorized by the Higher Education Amendments and became the third in a series of educational opportunity programs. By the late 1960's, the term "TRIO" was coined to describe these federal programs.

The TRIO Programs were originally established by the federal government in 1965 to ensure equal educational opportunity for all Americans, regardless of race, ethnic background or economic circumstances. TRIO programs help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education. These programs include:

• Talent Search
• Upward Bound
• Student Support Services
• Educational Opportunity Centers
• Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program

Other links:
http://www.trioprograms.org
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/index.html
http://www.ed.gov/programs/triostudsupp/index.html

Promoting Academic Success at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College

Funded by the Department of Education Student Support Services Trio Grant, The mission of the Student Transitional Education Program (STEP) is to support the mission of Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College by providing academic support services to academically under-prepared, low-income, first-generation, and/or disabled students who are eligible for program services (click on link for more information about Student Support Services programs).
The goals of the Student Transitional Education Program are to provide supportive services for eligible students in an attempt to:

• Increase retention rates
• Increase graduation rates
• Foster a climate of institutional support
• Facilitate the rate of transfer to four-year institutions of students who choose to earn a bachelor's degree.

The college experience can be exciting, challenging, and sometimes frustrating. The Student Transitional Educational Program is designed to provide students with the critical academic support that is necessary in order to have a successful college experience. One of the primary goals of STEP is to facilitate the transition into an academic setting, by carefully guiding students through the complexities of college.

Services

Counseling Services
The Student Transitional Educational Program (STEP) offers participants counseling in a variety of areas. Prospective participants are scheduled for an entrance interview with one of the program’s academic counselors who evaluate the student's academic and career goals. There are three types of counseling:

• Academic
• Career
• Personal
• Two-to-Four Year College Transfer

The academic counselors work closely with each participant in the development of an Academic Plan. This process consist of advising students about selecting classes, applying for financial assistance, setting academic goals, identifying career options, and utilizing special services such as the STEP tutoring services. For students who have a qualifying disability that warrants special accommodations, the STEP academic counselors serve as liaisons to the college’s Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities to ensure that the participant’s needs are met provide.

The STEP counselors also assist students in making a smooth transition from a two-year college to a four-year institution. Students receive admission, financial aid and course transfer information. Academic and personal counseling is provided to guide students through the transfer process. Students are provided the opportunity to visit four-year institutions and talk to college personnel regarding their field of interest.
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Tutorial Services
The Student Transitional Education Program provides free tutorial assistance in a variety of subjects to all program participants. All tutorial services are scheduled through the STEP academic counselors’ offices, located in the Tourville Technology Learning Lab of the Student Life & Community building. STEP participants should contact their assigned academic counselor to schedule one-on-one tutoring with qualified tutors. New students and non-STEP participants should also contact a STEP academic counselor.
Tutoring is conducted in the Tourville Technology Learning Lab, which is conveniently located on the second floor of the Student Life and Community Building (S). The academic counselors’ offices are also located inside the Tourville Technology Learning Lab. Students may drop by these offices during regular office hours or set up an appointment to discuss concerns related to both tutoring and the academic support services program.

Tutorial service hours for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters at OC tech are 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Friday, and 8:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m., Saturday.

Tutoring Positions
To provide top quality tutoring services, there are two classifications of tutors: professional and peer. Peer tutors are fellow students who do not possess a degree, professional certification, or junior level standing at a four year college. Peer tutors are often themselves enrolled in the STEP program. Professional tutors are tutors who have either an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, or professional certifications, such as a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse are classified at this level. All tutors must be of high academic standing. The academic qualifications for both peer and professional tutors are:

1. Grade Requirement: Must have earned at least a letter grade of B in the subject matter area; a letter grade of “A” is “strongly” preferred.
2. GPA Requirement: Must have, at minimum, a (2.5) cumulative GPA; a cumulative GPA of (3.0) or higher is preferred.
3. Recommendation: Must have a positive recommendation from the instructor under whom the subject matter course or courses were completed.

Important: A candidate for a tutoring position may be required to write a “qualifying examination” if he or she has not completed the subject matter course or courses at OC Tech. The decision to administer a qualifying examination is left to the discretion of the group director.

Study Skills Workshop
Study Skills Workshops are designed to address college survival skills. Conducted by the STEP academic counselor, these workshops, which are conducted once a semester, cover subjects such as note taking, time management, test taking, improving memory skills, and career exploration. To find out more about the Study Skills Workshop, please contact:

Mrs. Patricia Nicholas, Academic Counselor/ Transfer Coordinator
Tourville Technology Learning Lab, Office 204
Phone Number: (803) 535-1383
E-Mail: nicholasp@octech.edu

Grant Aid Assistance
Recognizing the extensive financial needs of those students who meet Pell eligibility requirements, the Student Transitional Education Program provides Grant Aid Assistance to qualified students. The amount of the award is approximately ($150.00-$500.00) per semester. To be eligible for grant aid assistance, a student must be a current participant in the program and a federal Pell grant recipient. In addition, the program requires that grant-aid recipients meet a GPA standard and attend program activities. Participants are encouraged to see their assigned academic counselor for specific details.
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Eligibility

STEP (Student Support Services) is one of the federal TRIO programs, which means that it is an educational opportunity project which helps low-income, first generation and disabled students to achieve their academic and personal goals. The project acts as an advocate for qualified students, plans and coordinates their services, and provides programs, which help them, develop the academic, interpersonal and social skills they need for success at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College. The Student Transitional Education Program serves qualified students who fall into one or more of the following categories:

1. Students who are first-generation college students
   A first-generation college student is an individual whose parents have not received a bachelor's degree.
2. Students who meet specific income guidelines as established by the U.S. Department of Education
   A low-income student is an individual who annual income level meets the federal guidelines established by the U.S. Census Bureau for determining poverty status. In general, students receiving Pell Grants are frequently eligible for the SSS program. http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/HEP/trio/incomelevels.html
3. Some students who have a diagnosed physical and/or learning disability
   Students with a physical or learning disabilities must first identify themselves as such through the college’s Coordinator of Services for Students Disabilities. These students must present disability documentation as well as meet all other criteria for admissions to the Student Support Services program.
4. Students who have an academic need for services
   Students must have a demonstrative academic need for services. Prospective students should speak with an academic counselor.

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Staff

Mr. Kevin James, Director of Student Support Services
Student & Community Life Center (Student Services), Office 215
Phone Number: (803) 535-1228
E-Mail: jameske@octech.edu

Mrs. Glorious Cuttino, Administrative Assistant
Student & Community Life Center (Student Services), Office 212
Phone Number: (803) 535-1227
E-Mail: cuttinog@octech.edu

Ms. Charlene Minus, Academic Counselor/Assistant Director/Coordinator of Tutorial Services
Tourville Technology Learning Lab, Office 203
Phone number: (803) 535-1382
E-Mail: minusc@octech.edu

Mrs. Patricia Nicholas, Academic Counselor/ Transfer Coordinator
Tourville Technology Learning Lab, Office 204
Phone Number: (803) 535-1383
E-Mail: nicholasp@octech.edu

Contact

Student Transitional Education Program
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
Student & Community Life Center
3250 St. Matthews Road
Orangeburg, South Carolina 29118-8299

Contact via phone: (803) 535-1227, Out-of-Town: 1(800) 813-6519 ext. 1227
Contact via Fax: (803) 535-1368

Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
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