Team Success Scholars

TSS helps students to develop their own career pathway toward an associate’s degree, including earning at least one workplace recognized credential, ultimately helping them to secure a better job and economic security. Workplace credentials may include Security Officer certificate, OSHA 9 certification, CNA certification, EMT certification or ServSafe certification. All training costs are supporting by the TSS program. Upon completion of training and certification, we assist students with securing employment utilizing the credential.

All TSS students are required to work during their time in the program. We offer internships at $18/hr both on and off campus. Students can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 35 hours per week over the winter and summer breaks. TSSers have interned at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, HO Products, American Mural Project, Five Points Gallery, Torrington Historical Society, Salvation Army of Winsted, Ed Advance Day Support Program, Prime Time House, The American Tort Law Museum, Town of Winsted, Dolly’s Doggy Daycare, to name a few.

Students meet weekly for individualized sessions focusing on any barriers the students may be facing, and facilitating an action plan for positive resolution. Actionable items may include meeting with a professor, going to tutoring, pro-active advising, meeting with our study coach, visiting the campus food pantry, reaching out to a campus or community professional, or financial assistance. We encourage self-resolution with facilitated guidance.

We have a dedicated TSS room on campus where students engage in learning cohorts, peer tutoring, individual study time, and weekly TSS Workshops. The room is open and accessible whenever the campus is open, supporting faculty and peer connections, socializing, and sometimes simply downtime. We also hold two TSS Leadership Retreats off campus, encouraging leadership training, teamwork and cohort building. Weekly TSS workshops include topics such as:

• Financial literacy
• Career-focused panel discussions
• Community Action Planning
• Developing your Personal Brand – LinkedIn, Social Media and You
• Resume writing & Interview Preparation
• Virtual Savvy & Dress for Success
• Scholarship writing
• Mental Health

Our students regularly attend statewide, national and international conferences and volunteering experiences. TSSers regularly are part of:

• Northwestern’s many clubs and student activities
• Northwestern Campus Student Ambassadors Program through the Admissions Department
• Northwest Chamber of Commerce’s Wow! Forum
• Oxford Consortium for Human Rights conferences
• Northwestern’s Cross-Cultural Communications course
• Random Hacks of Kindness Junior
• CT Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry

TSS offers financial resources and guidance to students facing economic challenges. Financial support addresses individual needs, which may include costs for books, transportation, eyeglasses, professional clothes, credentialing costs, food, rent or housing. The program also supports students wishing to train and earn workplace recognized credentials as part of their career plans, assisting with tuition, books and supply costs.

All TSSers are involved in yearlong Community Action Planning (CAP) projects, addressing a need in the community and assisting the stakeholder with developing a sustainable solution. Working in partnership with Quinnipiac University, students meet at least twice a year to collaborate on projects and share successes. Past projects have included planting and landscaping for elder care and veteran centers, understanding and addressing food insecurity, improving police and student relations, and addressing access and equity in education. Ongoing projects include “The Mosaic Project," a collaborative effort with the Torrington Historical Society to develop an online space to document and celebrate the diversity of the immigrants who have chosen to call Torrington home.