By Ashley Arseneau | Observer Reporter
The Trio Student Support Services, also known as Visions, has been helping Mount Wachusett Community College students obtain college degrees for over thirty years. Even in hard economic times like these, the program hasn’t cut any of their services. Being federally funded, unlike the college, they have not had any budget cuts.
Visions students had a lot to say when asked recently about the program. “I joined because I thought they would help me do well in school,” said Samantha Charter, 18. The freshman Liberal Arts student said she mostly used the English tutoring and computer lab on her papers.
According to the Vision’s page on the Mount’s website, the program has its own tutors in math and English which are available for group or private sessions. Their transfer counselor will accompany students on campus tours of four year universities to make sure they are seeing the right things and asking the right questions. They put on weekly seminars and workshops on different subjects such as study tips and time management skills. Also, Visions has its own computer lab that offers free printing and a quiet place for their students to use for studying and homework.
Mike Carton, 21, first year Liberal Arts major, said the program helps students financially and academically. “It’s good to have someone to check in with,” Carton added. He also said that Visions gets students involved in school.
The Visions Brochure states that the program staff members will also counsel students about transferring, academics, career, and personal matters.
Joyce Kulig, Visions Learning Disabilities Specialist, describes Visions as a “home away from home” for its students. Her door is open for everything, even borrowing a pencil.
“It’s nice to come to work in the morning,” said Kulig. She started at the Mount as a tutor for a short time before applying to be a Visions tutor. Ten years later Kulig said she loves the Visions students and the rest of the program’s team of staff. She also said she respects the students very much, “they make me laugh and cry.”
Kulig said to work for Visions you really have to be a “jack of all trades” and you have to know a little about all the departments at the college to help the students. Kulig added that the Visions program here is thankful to be so well supported by the rest of the Mount.
Guarav Khanna, program director, is satisfied with his job. “You’re helping students achieve their dreams,” Khanna said. He still advises students who have transferred to four year schools.
Khanna joined the program in 2003 as the transfer counselor after working in the Mount’s enrollment services department. After registering a student for classes, he would most likely never see the student again. With the small amount of students in the Visions program, he can see students through their whole Mount journey. Khanna became the director in 2006. Khanna also said that the program has a “buffet of services” so every student can find something that helps them.
According to the MWCC Visions Brochure, eligible students are those whose parents have not an earned a four-year degree, who come from low income backgrounds, or who have disabilities. The programs 200 student limit requires all students to apply and be accepted on a first come first serve basis for applicants who fit into at least one of the 3 categories.
The website also stated that Visions students can choose to be registered for classes by a Visions staff member who knows them and their goals. Also, the program offers grant aid for qualified students, services for students with disabilities, cultural activities, and a few times a semester there will be events that feature a free meal, and various raffles.
Khanna also said Visions offers an alternative type of tutoring service called supplemental instruction in math and science. This is when a student signs up for a math 100, 120, 121, 160, or human bio 109 or 115 course and needs some extra help with the material. A tutor will be present in the class to help the student when necessary and to see what exactly the professor is teaching. Also the tutor is available to the student out of class for extra help. Unlike a regular tutor, being present in the classroom gives them a better grasp of what the student was taught.
The Website also stated that the program is one of 1, 900 nationally federally funded Student Support Services Trio programs. The program came about in the 1960s with the idea of providing equal access to higher education for everyone regardless of their background or financial situation. According to the website, Trio is designed to help college students with their education until they earn an associates or bachelors degree. With the help of the Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program students can prepare for doctorate study. For those wishing to enroll in college after serving in the military, the Veterans Upward Bound program helps veterans make the transition into college life.
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