Members of the staff at the Achievement Center at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College include, from left: Nancy Mathias, Kristi Brewer, Director Kristy Casstevens, Jimmy Smith, Carol Conner and Sherri Holland. The A-Center, which is currently offering academic advising and tutoring to DSLCC students virtually, recently received a new grant for $1.6 million from the Department of Education.
DSLCC A-Center Awarded 5-Year Grant
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College President Dr. John Rainone has announced that the college’s TRIO Student Support Services (the Achievement Center) has received a new grant for over $1.6 million from the Department of Education. The new grant will enable them to continue the program for the next five years. The A-Center has served DSLCC students for over 30 years.
Kristy Casstevens, director of the A-Center, and her staff, including Carol Conner, Nancy Mathias, Jimmy Smith, Kristi Brewer and Sherri Holland, earned a perfect score on their grant application, noted Dr. Rainone. The A-Center currently serves 240 DSLCC students.
“We are so excited to begin another academic year at DSLCC,” says Casstevens. “We encourage all students who may need a little help in their classes or who have questions about advising or transferring to contact us. We offer a lot of services, including free printing.”
"We are proud of the grant-writing team for achieving a perfect score as well as the Achievement Center Staff who provide important support services to our students," said Dr. John Rainone, DSLCC president. "I know how important it is to ensure that our students, particularly first-generation and low-income, have the resources necessary to complete their education. This grant proves that we are really helping our students succeed."
Adds Matt McGraw, DSLCC’s Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Academic Services: “TRiO Student Support Services has been a mainstay of academic and personal support at DSLCC for many years. For decades, the Achievement Center has supported our students and helped them achieve their goals, confront their challenges, and celebrate their successes. I am proud to be connected to such a dedicated program staff and excited to witness their future good work. TRiO Works!”
Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded TRIO program designed to provide free academic support and encouragement to students who face economic, social, and cultural barriers to higher education. As a college retention program, SSS helps students meet the rigors of higher education and graduate from DSLCC.
While most of the College’s programs and courses are being offered virtually, DSLCC students still have access to available services through the A-Center like tutoring and workshops; course and program advising, career assessments, and help with graduation or transfer plans; and help with applying for financial assistance.
For more information, contact Casstevens at (540) 863-2860 or email kcasstevens@dslcc.edu. The A-Center is located in Scott Hall on the DSLCC Clifton Forge campus.