(Schriever, LA) - Fletcher Technical Community College has been awarded approximately $1.36 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program to expand academic, advising, and student success support services for eligible students.
The grant provides $272,364 annually over a five-year performance period. Funding for the first budget period covers September 25, 2025 through September 24, 2026, with continuation funding anticipated through September 24, 2030, contingent upon annual approval and compliance with federal requirements.
“Fletcher is committed to meeting students where they are and providing the wraparound support necessary for long-term success,” said Dr. Kristine Strickland, Chancellor of Fletcher Technical Community College. “This funding allows us to strengthen retention, increase completion, and ensure students are prepared for transfer or entry into the workforce.”
The TRIO Student Support Services program is designed to assist eligible students who may benefit from additional academic, personal, and financial support as they work toward certificate or degree completion and prepare for transfer to four-year institutions. The program focuses on supporting academic progress and completion through structured, evidence-based services aligned with federal program requirements..
Through the SSS program, Fletcher will serve more than 140 eligible students annually. Services will include academic tutoring, mentoring, academic and career counseling, financial literacy education, social-emotional learning workshops, stress management programming, transfer preparation, and cultural and educational enrichment activities.
A key component of the program is a structured approach to addressing academic, personal, and social-emotional factors that may interfere with student progress. Participants will complete assessments to identify areas where additional support is beneficial and will receive individualized and group-based services, including regular check-ins, counseling, and skill-building workshops.
The program also emphasizes career exploration and transfer readiness. Students will receive guidance on career pathways, job shadowing opportunities, and best practices for completing an associate degree efficiently. Fletcher will promote clear transfer pathways through the Louisiana Transfer Degree Guarantee, allowing students to transfer seamlessly to a four-year public university in Louisiana as a junior while reducing time and educational costs.
Additional services include scholarship awareness workshops, financial aid guidance, academic planning, and partnerships with on-campus and community organizations to connect students with resources that support long-term success.
Required program outcomes established by the U.S. Department of Education include increasing student persistence, retention, and graduation rates; strengthening transfer outcomes; expanding access to academic and career development opportunities; and maintaining high-quality data collection and reporting to support transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
The grant’s performance period runs from September 25, 2025 through September 24, 2030. The project point of contact is Dr. Ana Nanney, Vice Chancellor of Enrollment and Student Development. She can be reached via phone at 985-448-7940 or email at [email protected]
The TRIO Student Support Services Program is authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and is part of a national effort to support student success and postsecondary attainment through structured academic and support services.