Adams State University’s Student Support Services staff
On the first floor sanctum of Nielsen Library you will find Adams State University’s Student Support Services. You’ll probably find a few students working away, wearing bright pink shirts. The Summer Scholars Program is designed to retain and graduate students by helping them overcome economic, social, academic, and cultural barriers.
They primarily serve first-generation, income-qualifying, and students with disabilities.
“Many of their families haven’t come to college so they won’t always know the steps they have to take to get through admissions, do their homework or study, and other time management skills,” said Danielle P. Smith, project director. “We provide them with those different skills.”
Adams State’s Student Support Services is a federally funded TRIO Program. Similar to such programs as Upward Bound, where middle and high school students are being set up for future education, Student Support Services helps college students.
Because it is a federally funded program, each year Smith and her staff have to apply for a competitive grant. They found out on July 3 that they had been awarded this year’s grant.
“The funding allows us to help and support students through their bachelor’s degree. If it takes four, five or six years we’re here to help them, encourage them, give them all the support they need to get through.”
A number of other Adams State offices collaborate with and assist the Summer Scholars Program.
“If we don’t have a resource,” Smith said, “we try to find a resource through our campus or our community.”
Smith appreciates the recognition for their hard work. “To receive the Educator Highlight Award is exciting,” Smith said.
Student Support Service is busy all year, but summer is a really intense three-week program. “Students come in and we house and feed them and get them through four credit hours of coursework.”
The students will be guided through a math refresher and participate in different activities for educational and cultural purposes.
“We just really want to set them up for success,” Smith added.
PAST EHA WINNERS
Presley Garcia, Monte Vista special education teacher
Nick Dionisio, Alamosa High English teacher
Aaron Miltenberger, Boys & Girls Club executive director
Anna Bishop, Center High School CLD teacher
Phyllis Vigil, Sierra Grande first-grade teacher
AlexAndria Moore-Guenter, Moffat Schools secondary counselor
Omar Gonzalez, Alamosa Elementary visual art and music teacher
Leanna Brazel, Alamosa Elementary kindergarten teacher
Freddy Lawrence, Alamosa Elementary custodian
Joe Guenther, South Conejos School District
Katie Turner, Del Norte math teacher
Edwin Mondragon, Monte Vista High School agriculture teacher
Aaron Williams, GOAL High School English teacher
Miriam Baines, Alamosa High School biology and math teacher
Rachel Kellum, Moffat Schools art teacher
Darlene Pinales, Sargent School District, food service staff member
Upward Bound summer faculty, Adams State University
Erika Henderson, chemistry teacher Alamosa High School
Jay Sarason, aviation teacher, Sargent High School
Domingo Estrada, director, Semillas de la Tierra
Lisa Lucero, preschool teacher, Moffat School District
Scott Honeycutt, ASD’s transportation director and chief safety officer
Annette Sisneros, fifth-grade teacher, Alamosa Elementary
Taylor Hubbard, K-12 art teacher, Centennial School District
Lauren McKinney, science teacher, Sangre de Cristo Schools
Amanda Stagner, business teacher, Alamosa High School
College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) staff, Adams State University
ABOUT THE EDUCATOR HIGHLIGHT AWARD:
This monthly award recognizes Adams State University School of Education alumni, prominent local teachers, and other educators working within or hailing from the San Luis Valley. In so doing, Adams State University hopes to build familiarity with the community as a serious destination for future educators. Nominate an educator.
