Suffolk County Community College has received a federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant that will provide $348,514 each year for five years, totaling $1.7 million. The funding is intended to support 324 students who are low-income, first-generation college attendees, or have disabilities at the largest community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system.
Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College, stated, “TRIO has a powerful impact on our students’ lives, offering them the academic tools and a variety of supports that serve to build student confidence and lead to academic success both here at Suffolk and as they continue their education at a four-year institution.”
Lorianne Lueders-Yanotti, director of Suffolk’s program, noted that the initiative began in fall 1997 with 180 students. The college now operates the largest TRIO SSS program in Suffolk County and one of the largest in New York State.
Recent results from the program show a 92% year-to-year persistence rate among participants compared to an approved rate of 75%. Additionally, 96% of students stayed in good academic standing—above the approved rate of 84%. Degree and certificate completion rates also exceeded expectations: 56% finished an associate’s degree or certificate versus an approved rate of 37%, while 32% both completed a degree or certificate and transferred to a four-year institution compared to an approved rate of 20%.
Suffolk County Community College enrolls more than 26,000 students across over 100 degree and certificate programs. With about 145,000 alumni, it serves as the largest community college within SUNY and focuses on preparing students for local workforce needs through pathways from high school into careers.