����vlog���� will join colleges and universities nationwide this week in celebrating the 40th annual National TRIO Day, recognizing the impact of the Federal TRIO Programs and honoring the achievements of first-generation, income-eligible students, students with disabilities, and veterans pursuing higher education.

Hosted by the University’s Student Support Services department, Ozarks will celebrate TRIO Day on Thursday, Feb. 26. There will be a group TRIO photo on the library steps at 11:30 a.m., followed by a celebration, where students will be recognized as members of this important program.

Established by Congress in 1986, National TRIO Day highlights the importance of educational access, academic persistence, and college opportunity. The Federal TRIO Programs, created under the Higher Education Act, are designed to remove barriers to postsecondary education and promote student success.

The University’s TRIO Student Support Services program serves approximately 180 students each academic year, according to Vanessa Hollowell, director of TRIO Student Support Services. 

“Recognizing TRIO Day gives us the opportunity to celebrate the incredible potential, determination, and achievements of our TRIO participants,” Hollowell said. “Through TRIO funding, our dedicated team provides eligible students with the tools, resources, and support they need to successfully earn their degrees. Each day, I witness the meaningful impact of this program—both in the small milestones and the major accomplishments—and that is truly something worth celebrating.”

TRIO programs provide academic guidance, tutoring, advising, mentoring, college readiness services, financial aid support, and career development opportunities for eligible students. Nationally, TRIO serves more than 800,000 individuals each year, including middle school, high school, and college students, adult learners, veterans, and graduate scholars.

Said Ozarks student Kyndalee Villines: “The best part of being in TRIO is having a support group. Being First Gen is hard not having people there for me, but being in TRIO has helped me to not feel as alone. I could never be more grateful for that.”

Student Ashlyn Khilling said, “Having the support not only from home but from my TRIO advisor is the best part of TRIO. She helps me feel like I have a cheerleader in the stands who wants me to succeed just as badly as I want it for myself.”

Student Sherlyn Silva-Hernandez said, “Being able to have the support from the program and also being surrounded by other colleagues who are also a part of the program is great. I am really grateful to be enrolled in this program at Ozarks because it’s always so supportive of students.”

For more information about Ozarks’ National TRIO Day events or to learn more about TRIO services on campus, please contact Hollowell at vhollowell@ozarks.edu.

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����vlog���� has been awarded $1.6 million in anticipated federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education for its TRIO Student Support Services programs.

The funds are awarded to colleges and universities to provide opportunities for students’ academic development as well as to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary degrees. Student Support Services programs are under the TRIO umbrella of federal education initiatives, which were established as a result of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.

The SSS grant is in the amount of $332,864 per year. The anticipated five-year total for the grant is $1,664,320. The program supports 180 students at Ozarks who are either first generation, low-income, and/or have a disability. 

“Navigating higher education can be difficult, but this is especially true for first-generation, low-income, and/or student with disabilities,” said Vanessa Hollowell, director of the University’s Student Success Center. “Understanding the specific challenges this student population faces allows my team to develop targeted workshops and provide guidance on students’ educational journey.  It is rewarding to watch students face obstacles and challenges, learn to work through them, and ultimately earn their college degree.” 

“I am grateful for this grant award which allows us to continue the vital work of supporting underrepresented students who otherwise might not be successful in college. The tools, resources, and skill development afforded through this grant aids students in overcoming barriers.  We also help students think about the next steps after earning their degree by providing workshops surrounding financial literacy, career exploration, and graduate school opportunities.”

The goal of TRIO programs is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants, who include students from low-income families, first-generation students and students with disabilities.  According to the U.S. Department of Education, SSS programs are designed to “provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education.”

In addition, TRIO SSS provides monitored tutoring; academic, career, and financial aid planning; study skills sessions; success workshops; and assistance with researching and applying to graduate schools.

The TRIO SSS program at Ozarks has assisted nearly 700 students over the past five years. The new grant will allow Ozarks to continue its TRIO SSS programs through 2030.

The Student Support Services project at the ����vlog���� is 100 percent funded by the U.S. Department of Education, with an annual budget of $332,864.  

U of O students interested in applying for the SSS program may send an e-mail to studentsuccesscenter@ozarks.edu or visit /academics/student-success-center/ for more information.

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There has been one promotion and two new hires recently in the University’s Jones Learning Center (JLC) and Student Success Center (SSC) programs, according to Dody Pelts, vice president for student success.

Melodye Stickley (pictured, left) has been promoted to academic services coordinator in the JLC/SSC programs. In addition, Kelli Clark (center) was hired as an academic support specialist and Maranda Banning has been hired as an academic services assistant. Both Clark and Banning begin their new duties on Aug. 1, 2025.

Stickley has served with the University since 1993 and was most recently the academic services assistant and interim academic services/testing coordinator. Stickley’s new responsibilities will include recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising all tutors and note-takers for students requiring those services. 

“Melodye’s promotion is well-deserved, and I am excited to see her in this role,” Pelts said. “Her history of dedicated service and strong institutional knowledge makes the academic services coordinator position a natural next step for her.”

Clark has more than 20 years of classroom experience, including the last 18 years as a fifth grade teacher in the Clarksville School District. Clark has a degree in education from the University of Central Arkansas. She and her husband Jimmy, the University’s major gifts officer for athletics, have two sons, Dax and Cole, a 2024 graduate of Ozarks.  

Clark’s role has dual responsibility to both the JLC and SSC programs. She will provide group and individual educational support services to students in the JLC with an emphasis on writing support. In addition to providing one-on-one writing assistance to students enrolled in the TRIO program, Clark will provide workshops on topics such as time management, writing styles, grammar, effective editing, and research methods.

“After 23 years in the classroom, I decided it was time for a change, but I wanted to stay in education,” Clark said. “I look forward to working in the Jones Learning Center and the Student Success Center to help students in their educational journey.”

Banning was most recently the computer lab manager and reading and spelling interventionist for the Clarksville Primary School. She also served as the varsity cheer coach for Clarksville High School. Banning previously was the cheer coach at U of O from 2019-2020. She and her husband, Stephen, have two children, Paige and Ryan. 

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Ozarks family,” Banning said. “Growing up in Clarksville, I know the impact that U of O has in our community and I’m overjoyed to be a part of it. I look forward to meeting many Ozarks students in the coming months.”

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