Director's Message
Linda F. Rhone, Ph.D., D.Ed.
As the executive director of the TRIO Student Support Services Project, I have come full circle. Over 30 years ago, I was an undergraduate in a program then called the Operation Success Project, now known as TRIO Student Support Services. The mentors who guided me through those years not only encouraged me to excel in my undergraduate studies but also inspired me to reach for graduate degrees, sparking a lifelong commitment to education and social justice.
With a career spanning over 35 years in academia, I have held multiple full-time faculty appointments in teacher education, each enriching my experience and shaping my perspective. My journey includes years as a K-12 teacher in marginalized communities, four years as a community college instructor in social sciences, and over 15 years as a university professor of education. These experiences have culminated in my current role managing a multi-million-dollar TRIO Student Support Services federal grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Starting as an assistant professor and advancing to an executive director, I continue to fulfill my passion for teaching as an adjunct professor in graduate education programs at both Wichita State University and Friends University.
My hope for the participants of the TRIO Student Support Services Project is that they see in my journey the power of dedication and determination. While their goals may not necessarily be graduate school or executive leadership, I want them to know that whatever they aspire to achieve is within their reach. TRIO Student Support Services exists to support them at every step, helping them turn their dreams into achievable milestones and empowering them to make their own lasting impact.
Mission Statement
Trio SSS provides academic support services that help first generation, limited income students, and students with disabilities to persist and graduate from college.
Vision
To become a model of excellence in assisting first generation, limited income students, and students with disability to persist and graduate from college.
Core Values
Committed to providing efficient, effective, and excellent services to our students.
Program Objectives
Our program goals are consistent with our funding objectives. SSS at WSU is funded to achieve the following objectives:
- Two hundred and fifty (250) low-income, first generation college students, or students with disabilities will be served each grant year.
- Seventy-four percent (74%) of all participants served in the reporting year by the SSS Project will persist from one academic year to the beginning of the next academic year or will have earned a bachelor’s degree at the grantee institution during the academic year.
- Eighty-six (86%) of all enrolled SSS participants being served will meet the performance level required to stay in good academic standing at the grantee institution.
- Thirty-six (36%) of new participants served each year will graduate from the grantee institution with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent within six (6) years.
For more information about our services visit us at:
Student Support Services (SSS)
309 Grace Wilkie Hall
Office Hours 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(Monday - Friday)