Project SOAR receives $1.7 million in grant funding
OSU-OKC's Project SOAR receives $1.7 million in grant funding.
Student services program helps OSU-OKC students SOAR
OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 17, 2020) – Project SOAR will continue for at least another five years at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City after the program received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Project SOAR (Students Overcoming Academic Roadblocks) was awarded a five-year grant, with an award of $1,732,005. The grant is part of Student Support Services under the federal government’s TRIO programs. TRIO grants are submitted every five years. Project SOAR has been at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City (OSU-OKC) since 1994.
“The Project SOAR grant being re-funded impacts the students we currently serve and will serve in the future with a well-rounded retention and graduation foundation to help them focus on reaching their goals of a college education,” said Deborah Morgan, OSU-OKC Project SOAR director.
Project SOAR is more than just a tutoring and advising program, Morgan said. SOAR is a holistic program that focuses on the individual and gives them resources to complete their college degree.
“We at SOAR are excited to be part of the OSU-OKC family and look forward to working for the students and campus,” Morgan said. “We are here to help disadvantaged students who are low-income, first-generation or disabled become college graduates.”
The federal TRIO programs are designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities, and to help them progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs.
Trio began with Upward Bound, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to the administration's War on Poverty. In 1965, Talent Search, the second outreach program, was created as part of the Higher Education Act. In 1968, Student Support Services, which was originally known as Special Services for Disadvantaged Students, was authorized by the Higher Education Amendments and became the third in a series of educational opportunity programs.
By the late 1960s, the term "TRIO" was coined to describe these federal programs.
More information about OSU-OKC Project SOAR can be found at www.osuokc.edu/soar.
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For more information: Nick Trougakos, OSU-OKC – nick.trougakos@okstate.edu – (405) 945-9196
About Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City (OSU-OKC) is part of the modern land-grant system of Oklahoma State University. OSU-OKC is a two-year public institution, offering more than 40 degrees and certificate options. Through quality education, a supportive environment, leadership training and service opportunities, OSU-OKC trains students to work and educates them to lead. OSU-OKC graduates are found throughout the community serving as police officers, firefighters, nurses, teachers, healthcare professionals and business owners. More information is available at www.osuokc.edu.