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Office of Student Success Blog

Upward Bound Participants Emerge as National Finalists

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The national nonprofit Council for Opportunity in Education and Nucleus announced today the ten student teams or finalists, and five alternates, in their nationwide virtual competition to allow young entrepreneurs to pitch business ideas for scholarships and prize money.

The competition took place on Zoom Saturday, April 23, from noon to 2 pm ET. The students were able to compete as a team with up to four members or as one individual.   

Two of the finalists are Upward Bound participants at Kansas State University Salina, Anahi Sanchez, and Natalie Sanchez. Their winning business idea is The Seedman. They had the chance to present before a review panel of five judges, answering questions about the business model, growth potential, and finance ideas.  

All finalists will compete in two separate age groups for first, second, and third place awards in each category. One category is for students aged 13-15; the other is for students aged 16 and above. The contest will disperse prizes totaling $6,500.  

The competition was limited to students in Federal TRIO programs and the GEAR UP program. TRIO programs help first-generation, low-income, or students with disabilities prepare for, enter, and graduate from college. GEAR UP, a college readiness program, operates from grades 7 to 12.   

Winners in college may apply funds to tuition, fees, and books or use the money for business efforts. Those who apply the awards to their businesses will receive additional mentorship and advice.   

“The most important thing that TRIO students can learn is that their potential is limitless. That’s why the Council was delighted to partner with Nucleus on this student pitch competition,” said Maureen Hoyler, president of COE.   

“Hosting this pitch competition with COE furthered our mission to enhance education through activity-based learning,” said James Prince, director of TRIO partnerships at Nucleus. “Our goal is for each TRIO student to graduate with a degree and develop the skills and knowledge needed to achieve financial success.”  

Upward Bound is a campus-based TRIO program designed to assist area high school students with additional academic preparation, advisement, and encouragement to succeed in high school and later in college.  

The Upward Bound Program participants are involved in the program from when they are selected for participation until they graduate from high school. The program offers a six-week summer residential component and Saturday sessions during the academic year. Students must meet family income guidelines and/or be first-generation college-bound.  

Upward Bound is a program within the Office of Student Success, and there is no cost for participation. 

Spring 2022 Progress Reports Connect Wildcats to Resources

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Thank you for submitting student progress reports for Spring 2022. Faculty participation was excellent and we were able to direct students to available resources. Being able to support students early in the semester allows us to keep students in courses and on track for graduation. In Fall 2021, 83% of students who faculty indicated as in need of additional support persisted to Spring 2022 or graduated. 71% of these students earned grades of C or better by the end of the term.  

This effort would not be successful without the work of our whole university: faculty, staff, and students. For the Spring 2022 Progress Report season: 

  • 62.8% of faculty participated by submitting reports 
  • 97% of our student body had at least one report  
  • 1,684 students were in need of support in at least one course 
  • 1,752 emails were sent to students directing them to take action based on their report 

You can view more statistics and participation rates on the Progress Report website. In coming months, we will be sharing more data of how this work impacts student outcomes. 

TRIO Director Dr. Greene Retires After 41 Years

Posted on by allisondulac
Dr. Greene with TRIO quilt
Dr. Greene with TRIO quilt

Following 41 years of service and leadership at Kansas State University, Dr. Kathleen V. Greene has announced her retirement effective June 12, 2022. Greene is the director of Academic Student Services. Her responsibilities include directing three of K-State’s TRIO Programs: Educational Supportive Services, the McNair Scholars Program, and the Student Support Services at K-State Salina.  

Dr. Greene has contributed her talents to the 2008 K-State Presidential Search Committee, the Faculty Senate, the President’s Commission on Multicultural Affairs, and has been an active participant in the Black Faculty Staff Alliance, serving as the Chair from 1993-1995.  

Dr. Greene is an active professional member of the MO-KAN-NE Chapter of the Educational Opportunity Association. In 2014 she was inducted into the M0-KAN-NE Hall of Fame. In 1998 Dr. Greene was the recipient of the Commerce Bank Presidential Faculty/Staff Award for Distinguished Services to Minority Students. In 2014, she was featured in the documentary: “A Long of Collective Experience from Five African American K-State Alumni,” which was shown nationally on public television. In 2020, Dr. Bryan Samuel, the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, recognized her as the university’s first Inclusive Excellence honoree.  

When reflecting on her career at K-State, Greene shared, “I found my purpose in serving others through education. I still have students who reach out and update me on their lives, which is very gratifying.”  

The university community is invited to send greetings and best wishes to Dr. Greene via campus mail to 103 Holton Hall or and by email kgreene@ksu.edu. To celebrate and honor her legacy of service, Student Success has established the Greene Trio Excellence Fund to support student success programs established and championed by Dr. Greene. You can contribute here: Kansas State University · GiveCampus.  

“Kathy’s legacy of support for students spans generations and will continue to evolve from what she envisioned. It has been an honor to work with her, and we are so very happy for this next chapter in her life but will miss her presence,” said Stephanie Bannister, Assistant Vice Provost Student Success, speaking on behalf of the Student Success team. 

Student Success resource course available (July 12, 2021)

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[This article was originally published to K-State Today on July 12, 2021: https://www.k-state.edu/today/announcement/?id=75851]

All new incoming freshmen and transfer students will again have access to the Student Success resource course in Canvas providing easy access to key information to support their success at Kansas State University. This resource, launched in fall 2020, provides convenient space for quick connections to key resources. The entire campus community is encouraged to remind new and continuing students about this helpful Canvas resource. Continue reading “Student Success resource course available (July 12, 2021)” →

Peer Mentoring Collaborative — an initiative from Student Success (March 1, 2021)

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[This article was originally published to K-State Today on March 1, 2021: https://www.k-state.edu/today/announcement/?id=73164]

Student Success is launching an initiative aimed at connecting all K-State students with a peer mentorship opportunity that supports retention and persistence to graduation.

A strategy team and advisory group will work together over the next academic year to establish a Peer Mentoring Collaborative designed to connect peer mentoring efforts across the institution and campuses, making them visible to prospective peer mentors and the students they serve. The Peer Mentoring Collaborative will:

    • Provide support for faculty and staff coordinating programs.
    • Align training and assessment with best practices.
    • Elevate student engagement and involvement.
    • Explore ways to connect all K-State students with a peer mentorship opportunity to support retention and persistence to graduation.

Continue reading “Peer Mentoring Collaborative — an initiative from Student Success (March 1, 2021)” →