Wharton County Junior College's TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) program is designed
to empower low-income, first-generation, and disabled students to excel academically
and achieve their educational goals. With a dedicated team, technology resources,
and personalized support, you will have everything you need to succeed in your academic
journey at WCJC.
Find us at the J.M. Hodges Learning Center on the Wharton Campus, open Monday through
Thursday from 7:30AM to 4:30PM, and Friday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM. Our friendly TRiO SSS
staff is available to assist you both in-person and virtually during these hours.
TRiO Services
The TRiO SSS Grant is a five-year, renewable grant funded by the Department of Education.
It aims to provide comprehensive academic support and personal development services
for 144 eligible students, helping them achieve persistence and graduation rates that
exceed those of the general student body.
Course Selection and Advising
The TRiO SSS staff work as a family of advisors, guides, helpers, and friends throughout
your time at WCJC. Each participant will receive personalized advising, including
an individualized academic plan that helps you choose your classes. TRiO participants
receive assistance with course selection to ensure priority registration, course preparation,
long-term educational and professional goals, and timely graduation.
Academic Support
If you need help with your coursework, our academic support leaders are here to help.
We’ll help you develop your academic and study skills to support you throughout your
academic career. Tutoring is also provided for courses that have been identified as
“high risk” for SSS participants.
FAFSA and Financial Literacy Services
As a TRiO participant, you'll have access toworkshops that cover personal financial literacy, knowledge of markets and economics,
and knowledge of higher education financing and repayment. TRiO staff will also help
you complete financial aid applications and public and private scholarship applications.
Graduation Assistance
TRiO SSS is committed to getting you to graduation. Our dedicated team will ensure
that clear goals are set in order to motivate and encourage you to keep your eye on
the goal of graduation and beyond.
Transfer Assistance
TRiO SSS participants that would like to transfer from WCJC to a 4-year university
will receive information as well as help determining which classes will transfer to
the desired university. University transfer trips are scheduled by request through
TRIO SSS each semester.
Apply for TRiO
To become a TRiO SSS participant, complete the application online or download
the form and email the completed application to Elizabeth Argote at argotee@wcjc.edu.
Our dedicated staff works as a close-knit team of advisors, guides, helpers, and friends
committed to your academic success. Get to know the passionate professionals behind
our TRiO SSS program:
Jessica Falcon
Project Director
Jessica Falcon is the TRiO SSS Project Director at the Wharton campus. She has been
a full-time employee at WCJC since 2006. Jessica received her AA degree in Psychology
from WCJC. She then continued her education at Liberty University and received her
B.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies and her M.A. in Human Services with a concentration
in Marriage and Family Therapy. Jessica is beyond excited that WCJC was awarded the
TRiO SSS Grant and is passionate about helping students achieve their educational
goals.
Shayna Guerra is the TRiO SSS Success Advisor/Coordinator. Shayna has been a full-time
employee at WCJC since 2010. She received her A.A.S. Degree from Wharton County Junior
College. She continued her education at the University of Houston-Victoria receiving
a B.A.A.S. in Psychology followed by her M.Ed. in Higher Education and Administration
at Texas Tech University. As a first-generation student herself, Shayna is excited
about being able to use her own personal experiences while helping this unique group
of students.
Marisha Thompson is the TRiO Student Support Services Clerk at Wharton County Junior
College. She joined the TRiO SSS team at WCJC in 2025 and is proud to serve students
in the community she calls home. Marisha is passionate about supporting and encouraging
TRiO SSS students as they work toward their educational and personal goals. She is
dedicated to creating a welcoming environment and helping students navigate their
college journey with confidence and success.
“TRiO” is not an acronym. Rather, it refers to the three original programs that were
funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, Upward Bound (1964), Educational
Talent Search (1965), and Special Services (later named Student Support Services,
1968). They were the first national college access and retention programs to address
the serious social and cultural barriers to education in America.
TRiO Student Support Services is a comprehensive academic support program designed
to increase the retention and graduation/transfer rates of eligible participants. TRiO SSS helps students develop the academic mindset and
motivation necessary to be successful not only here at WCJC, but also in their future
academic and professional endeavors. TRiO SSS is sponsored by WCJC and is funded by
the U.S. Department of Education.
Because TRiO SSS is federally funded the eligibility criteria are stringent. Students
must be:
Enrolled or accepted for enrollment and intent on completing their degree at WCJC and/or transferring to a 4-year institution;
U.S. citizen or permanent resident;
Have some level of academic need that could impact their ability to succeed; and
Be a first-generation college student (neither parent has a Bachelor’s degree); or
Have a documented disability and be registered with WCJC Disability Services
TRiO SSS is funded to serve only 144 students each year. Two-thirds of students must
be low-income and first-generation college students or students with disabilities. One-third of disabled
students must be low-income. Priority is given to students who are both low-income and first-generation college students. There is an application and screening/selection
process.
TRiO SSS specifically serves low-income, first-generation college students and students
with disabilities, because they are historically under-represented in higher education,
and persist and graduate at a rate that is much lower than non-TRiO-eligible students.
The program provides a wide variety of services, including but not limited to:
Advising for academic/other concerns
Financial aid and financial literacy information
Individual/Group tutoring
Major and career exploration
Exploration of/assistance with applying to 4-year institutions
Computer lab and free printing/copying
Use of Lending Library
Cultural events
Comprehensive services and individual attention set us apart because we serve 144
students, we can provide more attention to each participant.
Students are required to have a parent signature to verify first-generation status
and are required to submit tax information along with their application. We will review
your application and the Advisor/Coordinator will reach out via student email to let
you know if you are eligible to receive services. Please allow 2-3 weeks for us to
process your application. For more information, students may contact TRiO SSS staff
at 979-532-6476 or visit the office in the JM Hodges Library TRiO Center.
No, students do not need to reapply each year.
To ensure students are getting the most from the TRiO SSS services offered, students
must be willing to meet the following expectations:
Attend TRiO SSS Orientation at least once per academic year
Meet with a TRiO advisor at least two times per semester
Attend at least one social/cultural event per semester
Explore options and requirements for a major
Attend program workshops/activities either in person or virtually
Engage in tutoring or utilize online tutoring resources for courses as needed
Be committed to completing educational goals at WCJC within four years
Attend our new member orientation in the fall and Spring to learn more about Student
Support Services at WCJC.
Regularly check your student email as all SSS participants receive updates about upcoming
SSS meetings and events.
Join the TRiO SSS Club to get involved in community outreach events, fundraising,
and engaging with other TRiO participants!
