Weber State University had the grand opening of the new STEM-focused program fo Student Support Services on Sept. 21. The program is intended to provide support to first-generation and low-income students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field.

The program offers support services such as financial assistance, tutoring, advising, peer mentoring, workshops and access to study rooms and technology.

“Based on the student’s academic history, their strengths and weaknesses, their chosen degree, their chosen career, etc., we put together a plan with the student that outlines what kind of support they need and what kind of support we can provide,” Eddie Hoyle, director of Student Support Services, said.

The program is associated with a much larger organization called TRIO, which was established in the early 1970s to help disadvantaged students, including those who were first-generation, low-income and disabled.

“The Department of Education recognized the need for a STEM-focused program in Student Support Services and provided funding,” Hoyle said. “New programs rarely get funded, so the fact that we were shows the real need for the program.”

The program also fosters a sense of community for first-generation and low-income students on campus. Advisors often reach out to students about social events, clubs or tutoring sessions within the program to give them opportunities to meet with other people who are in a similar position as them.

“My vision for the program would be to create a space where students can feel like it’s just a home-away-from-home where they can come sit and relax and meet other people. A space where they can feel really good about where they’re at on campus and feel supported,” Jason Biggs, an advisor for SSS-STEM, said. “We want these students to have a sense of belonging and a sense that somebody cares about their success.”

The goal of the program is to serve students and to increase graduation rates. It is completely free, and once a student has been accepted, they are offered those same support services until they graduate. Students can obtain many resources and connections through this program and receive help in navigating the different components of college.

“Because I’m a first-generation student and I’m also in the STEM program, Student Support Services wanted me to apply to the program, and I was accepted,” Llowell Brown, a student in the program, said. “They actually helped cover the rest of my summer tuition. They’ve also been really helpful as far as coming up with ideas for time management and helping me to place higher in my math.”

Brown also said the program helped to find scholarships and has been a resource in helping find answers to general questions.