Student Support Services
Participant Handbook
“Providing The Tools For Student To Build Their Own Success.”
Ables Hall Rooms 205 ~ 212
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College 200 I Street NE
Miami, OK 74354
Welcome to Student Support Services
TRiO\tree-oh\,noun: a community of students
and staff committed to the challenges and
rewards of learning, graduation and transfer.
Student Support Services is funded 100% by the
U.S. Department of Education
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex/gender, age or qualified disability.
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Table of Contents
Contacting Staff ................................................................... 3
Mission ................................................................................ 4
Getting Started .................................................................... 5
Website and Helpful Links ................................................... 5
Updating Info & Text Alerts .................................................. 6
Tutoring ............................................................................... 7
SSS Activities/Sign-up for Events ........................................ 8
Cultural Events .................................................................... 8
Power Lunches .................................................................... 8
Workshops .......................................................................... 8
Community Service ............................................................. 8
Algebra Classes .................................................................... 9
Mentors .............................................................................. 9
Financial Aid ......................................................................... 9
Transfer Trips ...................................................................... 9
Career Services .................................................................... 9
Preferential Enrollment ...................................................... 10
Libraries ............................................................................ 10
Welcome to the Student Support Services (SSS) Program at NEO
A&M College. SSS is a federally-funded program designed to help
160 students attain their academic goals. As a member of this
program, you will have access to a multitude of services not available
to the general NEO population.
SSS helps students who are low income, first generation and/or
disabled with college. Participants in the program receive
registration assistance, supplemental instruction, tutoring, selective
enrollment, transfer assistance, financial aid assistance, counseling,
and a multitude of other services. We encourage you to be active in
the program. It will increase your chances for academic success and
make your time at NEO more beneficial.
Our friendly and supportive staff have only one goal, your
educational success. We believe all students can be successful in a
supportive environment. Welcome to the program! We look
forward to working with you!
Staff Contacts
Julie Brixey Director 918.540.6263 [email protected]
Lenny Windle Learning Specialist 918.540.6145 [email protected]
Bobbie Pennington Retention/Career Counselor 918.540.6353 [email protected]
Hannah Berryman TRIO Administrative Assistant 918.540.6351 [email protected]
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Mission of Student Support Services
Student Support Services is committed to helping undergraduate students be successful at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College as well as be prepared for transfer to further their education. The program facilitates participant success through proactive and intensive, individualized services.
Student Support Services is dedicated to building a supportive network between students, campus and community. By capitalizing on the opportunities provided for personal and social growth while in a supportive environment, the participant can achieve success in learning, service, and leadership.
Getting Started
What is required to be in the SSS Program?
To be an active participant in the program, you MUST do the following:
1) Complete Interview and Assessment Process. 2) Establish eligibility and academic need; set social, career
and academic goals. 3) Determine your skill level in technology. 4) Complete academic & learning styles inventories. 5) Match your interests and aptitude with a career path. 6) Complete the In-Class (on-line assessment of classroom
styles and skills) 7) Attend 1 SSS sponsored activity. 8) Attend orientation session with the SSS Director.
Once you have completed the interview and assessment process and reached participant status, you will receive a welcome letter. If you have not completed the above steps in an allowable time frame, you will receive a post card noting which steps need to be completed. If these steps are not completed within two weeks, you will receive notification by postcard that your application has been placed in the inactive file. If you decide within the semester to reactive your application, the remaining steps will need to be completed and an appointment will need to be scheduled with the Career/Retention Counselor.
SSS Helpful Links
SSS Website: http://www.neo.edu/sss/ SSS Facebook Link: On SSS D2L or search for NEO Student
Support Services on Facebook Monthly SSS Newsletter/Calendar is available on the SSS
website and D2L. Check these frequently for updates Career Corner – Pinterest . . . http://pinterest.com/neosss/
The SSS Website contains links to many helpful websites that will aid you in studying and searching for information about colleges and careers, financial literacy facts, technology tips and math links.
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Update Your Address and Phone Number
It is your responsibility to update your address and phone number with the SSS program. To change your contact information follow the steps below:
Send an e-mail to the Director Or
Log in to NEO Web Product and update your personal information.
Text Alerts
To receive text alerts, sign up for NEO Student Support Services Notifications either by e-mail or cell phone.
E-mail [email protected]
Subject can be blank.
Cell Phone Text to: 918.675.0055 Message: @neos
Tutoring
Tutoring Request
A request for tutoring must be submitted to the Learning Specialist every semester.
Rules for Receiving Tutoring
Tutoring is available by request.
If you are unable to attend a scheduled tutoring session, please call our office at 918.540.6145 to cancel your appointment. (24 hour notice is preferred to continue receiving tutoring services.)
Tutor Qualifications
Tutors are hired each semester. Tutors can be scheduled up to 12 hours per week, depending on their availability.
Tutors will be required to attend a training session at the beginning of employment.
Group Tutoring
Group tutoring is available for subjects such as History, Science, and Psychology when requested.
Study Groups will be held before tests/finals, as needed. Online Tutoring
Miami Public Library offers a free live tutoring site 24/7 at the following website:
http://www.tutor.com/libraries/products/college-students
NEO Instructor’s’ Websites offer ITV Stream Video o Access the instructor’s website by going to the NEO
Website, selecting Faculty/Staff Link, and click the instructor’s name.
Tutoring links for free websites are available on the SSS webpage, SSS D2L and SSS Facebook.
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SSS Activities
SIGN UP FOR ACTIVITIES See the Administrative Assistant to sign up for an activity or event.
CULTURAL EVENTS A minimum of 4 cultural events will be available for participants each year. Some may be on campus such as plays, demonstrations, and guest lecturers. Other will be off campus. College vehicles can be utilized to transport participants as a group, or you may elect to provide your own transportation. According to institutional policy only NEO students and sponsors can travel in college vehicles.
POWER LUNCHES Free lunches are usually the first Wednesday and the third Thursday of each month from 12:00-12:50. Over the lunch hour, a speaker will provide a presentation on a specific topic. Students will be involved in selections of topics to ensure they are both interesting and applicable. Past topics have included overcoming math anxiety, financial aid made easy, how to deal with difficult people, careers in the health field and cultures such as Greek, British, and Korean.
WORKSHOPS Workshops are available 1-2 times a month. The topics vary and are geared toward improvement in areas of professional and personal growth. Warming up on academic skills, improving financial literacy, matching aptitude and personality to careers, and networking with campus personnel are objectives of the workshops offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.
COMMUNITY SERVICE Projects will be selected with input from the participants. The majority will be done as a group utilizing college transportation when required. Community Service may also be done on your own and you will be responsible for your own transportation. Prior approval from the staff will be required for community service to be counted toward grant aid. Leadership, decision-making, and organizing are some of the skills practiced in performing community service, along with increasing self-esteem, networking for future career contacts and gratification that comes from helping others.
ALGEBRA CLASSES Only SSS participants are given the opportunity to take Algebra every day. This allows for the material to be covered at a manageable pace accompanied by less homework and more instruction. Intermediate Algebra is offered in the Fall semester and College Algebra is offered in the Spring semester in this 5 day format.
MENTORS Having a mentor in the career you are preparing can be very beneficial when you begin looking for a job in your field. In addition to career mentors, other mentors are available to give extra support for those with few or no family members in the area.
FINANCIAL AID ASSISTANCE A stipend is awarded to some students to help reduce their need for loans and to encourage participation in activities provided by Student Support Services. To be eligible a participant must have a Pell grant and have an unmet need determined by the Financial Aid Office. Check with staff to see if you are eligible. When you attend an event, have one of the staff sign the point sheet. Staff is available to assist with completing the FAFSA and serve as liaison to the Financial Aid Office.
TRANSFER ASSISTANCE Transfer guides are available in the SSS labs to help in monitoring which NEO courses transfer to the college of your interest. We can help you make connections to TRiO personnel and advisors in your field of study.
Transfer counselors from Oklahoma Universities and those in close proximity will present at Power Lunches usually twice a year.
CAREER SERVICES Business Trips give an onsite look at multiple careers highlighted in
area businesses and industries. These connections may open an employment opportunity after graduation.
“Unmask Your Career” is an event held during the Fall Semester where area professionals gather at SSS to answer questions about their careers.
Representatives from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields perform interactive activities related to their careers.
Digital Portfolios can be developed with the help of our Career Specialist.
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PREFERENTIAL ENROLLMENT
SSS participants can enroll early but must first have an enrollment hold cleared by meeting with SSS staff to discuss their educational plans and classes in which they plan to enroll.
Specific math classes will be recommended. Having the same teacher for a class will assist SSS in organizing tutoring and forming student study groups.
Only SSS participants are allowed to enroll in the 5 day algebra classes. LIBRARIES Instructional Materials are available for use. See the SSS Learning Specialist for help. Math Solution Manuals may be used on site. A student ID will be kept while the manual is being used. It will remain in the SSS study lab.
*REMEMBER checking your answers and figuring out the problems by using the manual are an effective technique to reinforce learning.
The Career Resources Library is available to participants and includes transfer information, career assessments and research information, as well as access to many helpful websites. Laptops are available for use in the computer lab which offers a place to study in a relaxed atmosphere.
