Phone: (760) 355-6379

Office Hours: Monday - Friday / 8:00am - 5:00pm

Location: In the Hector L. Lopez Student Services Center, Bldg. 100, Imperial Valley College, 380 E. Aten Road, Imperial, CA 92251

You are welcome to make an appointment or email SSS Faculty/Staff (please click here for email information) with any questions or concerns.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

Student Support Services TRiO Team

Dolore Diaz-Cañez, M.A., SSS TRiO Program Director

dolores.diaz@imperial.edu

(760) 355-6255

Felipe Cortez, B.A., Student Success Specialist/SSS Club Co-Advisor

felipe.cortez@imperial.edu

(760) 355-6544

Carla Villa, B.S.W. , Office Assistant II

carla.villa@imperial.edu 

(760) 355-6379

 Administration

Martha Garcia, Ed.D., Superintendent/ President 

martha.garcia@imperial.edu 

(760) 355-6219

Lennor Johnson, Ed.D., Vice President for Student Services

lennor.johnson@imperial.edu 

(760) 355-6472

Henry L. Covarrubias, Ph.D. Dean of Student Services and Special Projects 

henry.covarrubias@imperial.edu

(760)-355-6153

SERVICES AND RESOURCES

The Student Support Services TRiO Program offers students various services and resources including but not limited to:

PROGRAM ORIENTATION

Counselors provide new students with an orientation to the Program, and provide information about student expectations, campus services and resources, course registraiton, financial aid, satisfactory academic progress, scholastic probation, lack-of-progress probation, core requirements, and other useful information for first-time students.  

ACADEMIC & PERSONAL COUNSELING

Students work with counselors to develop an individualized Student Education Plan (SEP), which includes both a short-term plan (Abbreviated Plan) and long-term plan (Comprehensive Plan). Counselors assist students in exploring career/professional goals, developing academic skills and strategies, and preparing for opportunities in the job market and/or university. Counselors also support students through psychological and/or emotional issues, and help address personal matters, which may impact their academic success.

CAREER/PROFESSIONAL EXPLORATION

Counselors assist students in the career exploration process by providing them with guidance counseling and various career exploration tools. In addition, counselors may also refer students to the IVC Career Technical Center (CTE) to further engage in career exploraton and/or prepare for employment.

PRIORITY REGISTRATION

Program participation grants students with "priority registration status," which helps students secure course enrollment and remain on track for completing their Program of Study in a timely manner.

NON-COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT

All students in the Program complete the Smater Measure Non-Cognitive Skills & Student Readiness Assessment, which shed light on student's non-academic dispositional skills and abilities, and in turn help counselors better understand and support thier students.  

ACADEMIC MONITORING

Counselors engage students in the Academic Monitoring Protocol each semester, which provides students with an opportunity for self-reflection and progress monitoring, and allows program counselors to provide students with timely interventions and academic services such as tutoring, study skills workshops, and/or referals to other support services.

COMPUTER LAB

SSS Students may utilize the SSS Lab and study area at their convenience. Printing and copies are available at the SSS Center (via student's PaperCut accounts).

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLIES

The Program offers students with free pencils, scantrons, note cards, pens, and Blue/Green Books (large & small).

TRANSFER ADVISING & PREPARATION

Students are encouraged to transfer and pursue undergraduate study through participation in college fairs and workshops addressing transfer preparation strategies. Counselors provide students with assistance in completing transfer applications, FAFSA applications, writing personal statements, and providing letters of recommendation upon request.

WORKSHOPS

A diverse range of workshops provide students with opportunities for academic and personal development. Topics, which vary each semester in response to student need, include but are not limited to: study skills, financial literacy, resume writing, interviewing skills, and time management.

ACADEMIC TUTORING

Students have access to personalized tutoring services through the Program (by appointment only) and/or by referal to other on-campus tutoring services.

SSS CLUB

Students can get involved on-campus and engage in community service, fundraising, networking, and leadership opportunities by joining and actively participating in the Student Support Services Club. Club benefits include end-of-the-year field trips, college visits, resume building, and fun social events.

ANNUAL RECOGNITION CEREMONY

In the Spring semester, graduating/transfering/certificated SSS students and their families are honored at a ceremony preceding College commencement. Students are recognized for their completion of program study.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

Dear student,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Student Support Services TRIO Program at Imperial Valley College.

The Student Support Services TRiO Program, also known as SSS, is one of three original Federal TRiO Programs (Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support Services) which have been authorized by the U.S. Department of Education since 1968. This Federal TRiO Program has grown to eight distinct programs across the country, which all share a common goal: increasing the enrollment in and completion of college for students from low-income, first generation, and disability backgrounds. Since 1975, SSS at Imperial Valley College has demonstrated these exact goals. Our services are patterned after the best practices in student retention and success, and thus reflect this goal. The Program faculty/staff, most of whom share the same background as you – are committed to this common goal. Our goal is to increase the retention and graduates of traditionally-underrepresented students in higher education and this goal can only be realized with the participation and committment of various stakeholders, including:

*YOU, the community who supports educational equity for all students.

*YOU, the faculty who challenges students to think critically and envision new possibilities;

*YOU, the family who provides support and encouragement.

*Most importantly, YOU the student who aspires to the goal of earning a college degree and commits to transforming your goals and dream into reality.

With this in mind, I encourage you to come join our Student Suppport Services TRiO Program Family. We are not just your SSS Faculty/Staff, we are your TRiO community and your peers for support as you transform your dreams of achievement into reality. We look forward to you joining our SSS Family in the near future!

Respectfully,

Dolores Diaz-Cañez

Dolores Diaz-Cañez – Director

Student Support Services TRiO Program

Imperial Valley College

How To Apply?

Applications can be obtained at the SSS office located in the Hector L. Lopez Student Services Center (Bldg. 100) or you may download the application form above.

Acceptance into the SSS TRiO Program is on a rolling basis year-around. When space is not available, eligible students are place on a wait list. Once space becomes available, waitlisted students are contacted and offered acceptance into the Program.

Program Eligibility

At the time of submitting an application to the program, the student must be enrolled in at least 9 units at Imperial Valley College or have earned at least 9 units and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Low-income (low-income levels are determined according to federal guidelines)
• First-generation college student (neither parent/guardian completed a 4-year degree)
• Have a verified disability (documentation required)

In addition, a student must also meet all the following criteria:

• Have U.S. citizenship or legal residence status
• Have evidence of academic need (areas of academic need are indicated on the SSS application)