Student Support Services Receives Grant to Expand Programs

By Dana Prifti, Media Relations Writing Intern

Len Lamberti's hands move excitedly as he talks about the federal grant awarded to the Center for Academic Resources Student Support Services (SSS) program by the U.S. Department of Education. “Three hundred and three thousand, eight hundred and sixty-seven dollars,” he says. “It's really an investment in your future.”

In his 30 years at the UNH, Lamberti has seen many students come through the Center for Academic Resources (CFAR) and come out with “their horizons much more broadened,” thanks to the support they've received from SSS.

Under the federal TRIO programs, the four-year Student Support Services grant for $303,867 per year from the U.S. Department of Education will provide academic support and scholarship assistance to low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities.

First-generation students are the first in their families to attend a college or university to obtain a four-year degree. A student is considered low income if his or her family's taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount. Although UNH has had Student Support Services grants since the late 1970s, this particular award is a result of a nationally competitive process held every four years.

Through this new award, CFAR will be able to continue to provide a host of programs and services to the eligible student population throughout their baccalaureate degree programs, including, individualized subject area tutoring, academic counseling, instruction in using computers/technology, scholarship assistance for students identified as Rising Scholars, graduate school advising and GRE preparation, and counseling and coaching for students with learning disabilities/ADHD.

Lamberti has big plans for the grant, which makes up 82 percent of SSS's funding. He hopes to expand programming for Rising Scholars in their freshman and sophomore years and to continue providing direct grant aid assistance over that time period.

The Rising Scholar program provides services to a group of students selected through an application process. At the freshman level, it helps incoming students get acclimated to the campus community, and mandates participation in an academic success group and a Blackboard tutorial to impress upon the students how many resources they have available to them. Upon successful completion of these goals, they earn a $1,000 grant.

Since 1975 Lamberti has worked on behalf of students and seen many students turn around and give back to the program, which he feels is the most rewarding part. “These students at some point will turn around and give back -- some are academic mentors, some SSS tutors, some resident assistants,” he said. “Where once they were the receivers, they now become providers.”

One such student is Ashley Wilder, a senior microbiology major who raves about her CFAR experiences. A New Hampshire native raised in Chicago, Wilder received extra funding on the state and federal levels because she is an independent student, meaning she receives no parental support with tuition.

“CFAR has made my time here at UNH a lot more laid back,” she said. “With the Rising Scholar award relieving some pressure of heavy loans, I was able to spend less time working and worrying about paying for school and more time with actually studying.”

And study she did. Wilder spent countless hours in the state-of-the-art laboratories in Rudman Hall, peering into microscopes. And she devoted her sophomore and junior years to being a resident assistant -- time she says would have been spent working to pay for school if it wasn't for CFAR.

“The people at CFAR are really the major resources,” she said. “They made sure I knew what was offered and reminded me often that they were there if I needed anything. I think Student Support Services is so important to the UNH community because without it, a lot of students wouldn't get the extra support that they really need to be successful.”

Julie Censabella, a senior nutrition major, is another SSS success story. Born and raised in Rochester, Censabella knew UNH was the school for her. The first in her immediate family to attend college, Censabella was part of Educational Talent Search in high school, which falls under the same TRIO grant that supports SSS.

As a commuter at UNH, Censabella said she often felt lost on campus. “After being invited to join the Rising Scholars group, I felt like I belonged at UNH,” she said. “I was invited back a second year to participate in the Rising Scholars program, and that is when I was introduced to the idea of an academic mentor.”

Censabella knew that it would be a great opportunity to give back to Student Support Services. As an academic mentor, she meets one-on-one with students to help them achieve their personal academic success by working on time management, testing anxiety, effective study skills, and using campus resources effectively.

“I give them the tools in order to be a successful student at UNH, and we work together to create their best learning experience,” she said. “I work with students of all majors, years, and backgrounds, so it is a fun and challenging job.”

Both Wilder and Censabella believe that SSS is important to the UNH community. “Being a student is a very active and engaging process, and it is important for students to know that there are people willing to help every step of the way,” Censabella said. “Not only does SSS help with your academics, but also it helps you establish important life skills that will carry with you wherever you go.”