Dana Walford, Transfer Coordinator/Liberal Arts Advisor for TRIO – Student Support Services at Lake Region State College was recently awarded the Rising Star award at the regional Aspire Conference held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in October.

TRiO Aspire is the organization for TRiO professionals in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Dana was nominated by Dr. Cathleen Ruch, former LRSC Director of Student Success and TRiO.

The purpose of TRiO Student Support Services Program (SSS) is to provide academic and other support services to low-income, first-generation or disabled college students to increase students’ retention and graduation rates, facilitate their transfer from two-year to four-year colleges, and foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of low-income and first generation college students and individuals with disabilities.

“I am so thankful to work with the amazing staff, faculty, and students at Lake Region State College,” Dana said.

Dana started out in the TRiO program at Lake Region State College as an Administrative Assistant and moved into an advising role right before COVID.

“Dana stepped in, completely out of her comfort zone, ready and willing to help advise current TRiO students. If Dana had not taken on the advising piece, we may have sacrificed the success of our current students,” Ruch said.

During a time of much uncertainty in facing a global pandemic, Dana took on the task of performing her regular duties as Administrative Assistant while also learning how to advise in a time of social distancing and technology implementation.

Dana is now a TRiO advisor and transfer coordinator, and when she was promoted, her response was ‘this is my dream job! Working with TRIO students is what I want to do.’

She comes to work every day with what we call a TRiO heart.

“This conference reminded me how much I love my job and all that TRiO does to change the lives of students.”

The TRiO program has been part of Lake Region State College since 2001. Through a grant competition, funds are awarded to institutions of higher education to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements, and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. Student Support Services (SSS) projects also may provide grant aid to current SSS participants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants (# 84.063). The goal of SSS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants.

TRiO Student Support Services and LRSC PowerSkillsCenter provide Lake Region State College students with an opportunity to be successful. TRiO and PowerSkills help students with study skills, tutoring, and creating goals and objectives for their education, career, and beyond. TRiO and PowerSkills provide students with an ideal study space including math and science labs, technology and textbook lending libraries, and knowledgeable staff ready to assist you with any of your needs.