(Bradenton, Fla., June 7, 2024) — The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program assisted 12 students with achieving their college educational goals and graduating this spring at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) Bradenton. Since 2021, more than 200 students have enrolled in the program. Services include year-round access to academic, financial, career and other support at no cost to eligible students in need while pursuing an associate degree or certificate at SCF Bradenton.

The 12 SCF graduates who participated in the TRIO SSS program were Jennifer Benitez, José Bravo, Laurinda Eicher, Josue Gamboa, Angel Greene, Jordan Lam, Natalie Ojeda, Margaret Ramírez Polenca, Ana Reyes Robles, Benjamin Smith, Talia Smith and Caleb Stanley.

TRIO SSS provides access to academic tutoring, course selection advisement, early registration, financial literacy education, financial aid application assistance, scholarships, seminars, workshops, coaching, mentoring, career awareness and transfer to four-year institution guidance. A five-year federal grant awarded to SCF in 2020 funds the program. TRIO SSS aims to deliver year-round coaching and assistance while increasing retention and graduation rates of SCF’s participants, including first-generation college students, low-income students and students with disabilities.

For more information, visit SCF.edu/TRIO or contact Dr. Kristen L. Anderson at 941-752-5257 or AndersKL@SCF.edu.

Photo Caption: (left to right) SCF graduates Josue Gamboa and Ana Reyes Robles, Dr. Kristen L. Anderson, and SCF graduates Jennifer Benitez and Jose Bravo attend the Spring 2024 commencement ceremony at SCF Bradenton.