TRiO Student Support Services (SSS)

The Student Support Services (SSS) program is a federally funded TRiO program designed to promote the success and retention of non-traditional students with programs on the CT State Manchester and Norwalk campuses. TRiO programs are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing intensive academic, personal and career counseling to help program participants reach their goals

These campus-based programs provide services that increase the retention, graduation and transfer rates for non-traditional students. Once students are admitted, they remain participants in the program until they graduate and/or transfer to a four-year college or university, with program advisors assisting participants at every stage of their undergraduate education – from deciding which courses to take in the first semester to preparing for graduation and transfer to a four-year college/university.

Learn more about each campus' program by choosing from the options above.

Manchester TRiO STARS Program

Program Eligibility

To qualify for the TRiO STARS Program, applicants must:

Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Meet one or more of the following criteria:
- First-generation college student (neither parent has a bachelor’s degree)
- Family income falls within the eligibility requirements
- Have a documented disability with CT State Manchester
Have an academic need (as determined by the STARS Coordinator)

How to Apply

Complete the Admissions Application: CT ST Community College Application
- Pick Manchester as your home campus
Complete the TRiO/STARS SSS Application: TRiO SSS Application
Schedule and attend a meeting with Leo Jones or Theresa Legein

Connect With Us

Instagram

Contact Us

To meet with a TRiO/STARS Advisor, please schedule an appointment. Advisors are available for face-to-face meetings, virtual meetings (via Webex or Teams) or phone calls. When scheduling your appointment, please indicate your preferred meeting method.

Office Location
L-231 (Student Services Center, 2^nd Floor)

Hours
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mailing Address
STARS Program
Great Path, MS #8
P.O. Box 1046
Manchester, CT 06045-1046

TRiO/STARS Staff

Angelo Simoni, TRiO/STARS Grant Director
860-512-3242 | Angelo.Simoni@ctstate.edu
Leo E. Jones, TRiO/STARS Program Specialist
860-512-3306 | Leo.Jones@ctstate.edu
Schedule an appointment with Leo
Theresa Legein, TRiO/STARS Program Specialist
860-512-3304 | Theresa.Legein@ctstate.edu
Schedule an appointment with Theresa
Jennifer Blais, TRiO/STARS Educational Assistant
860-512-3307 / Jennifer.Blais@ctstate.edu

For any questions or to schedule an appointment, please contact us: ma-ctstate-trio@ctstate.edu

Summer Program

In addition to year-round services, the TRiO SSS/STARS pre-college summer program is a six-week session from mid-July to mid-August. This program is designed to prepare you for the academic rigor of the upcoming year. Before beginning the fall semester at Manchester, you will attend classes and workshops on campus, Monday through Thursday, approximately from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program offers you the opportunity to:

Practice and reinforce reading, writing, and math skills
Retake the English and Math assessment tests to determine your placement in college-level courses
Earn up to six college credits, including:
- ENG* 093: Introduction to College Reading and Writing
- Math Lab (three credits)
- Public Speaking
- Films Studies
Receive one-on-one guidance from tutors, peers, and mentors
Develop time management and study skills
Learn how to balance school work and family commitments
Participate in cultural enrichment trips
Enjoy campus activities
Build comfort with your future
Boost self-confidence

Attendance
Attendance is mandatory for all classes and events throughout the entire six-week summer session. Due to the high level of commitment required, it is strongly recommended that employment not exceed 15 hours per week. Cultural enrichment activities on Fridays may extend beyond the regularly scheduled hours, and a TRiO STARS Advisor will inform you of these trips beforehand.

Program Costs
The TRiO STARS Program covers all classes, books, and field trips. Additional information about the Summer Program will be available and distributed in the Spring.

Once you complete the summer program and continue studying at Manchester, you will enroll in a one-credit study skills course in the fall and participate in ongoing trips, tutoring, and enrichment workshops throughout the academic year. Program advisors will continue to provide support as you progress toward earning your degree.

TRiO SSS/STARS Summer Program 2025 Application

Norwalk TRiO SSS Program

Program Benefits

The Student Support Services (TRiO) Program at CT State Norwalk prides itself on being a “One Stop Shop” for many of our students. Here are some of our services offered:

Virtual and In-Person 1 to 1 Tutoring (Math, Writing, Science)
Academic Advising/Supportive Counseling
Transfer Resources & Scholarship Information
FREE Selective Summer Course for College Credit (Speak with a TRiO Academic Advisor for more Information)

Need more convincing? Watch our Student Testminonials video.

Program Eligibility

Meet federal income requirements, and
Neither parent has a four-year college degree

– or –

Have a documented disability with CT State Norwalk

Apply Now

Contact Us

Office Location
West Campus, Room W209

Hours
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

TRiO/STARS Staff

Phylicia Mitchell, Director
203-857-7107 | phylicia.mitchell@ctstate.edu
Nicole von Dohlen, Academic Advisor
203-857-6950 | nicole.vondohlen@ctstate.edu
Shanoni James, Academic Advisor
203-857-7354 | shanoni.james@ctstate.edu

Services Offered

Academic Advising and Life Skills Development

Financial Aid Assistance

Selective Free Summer Credit Course

Social Events and Programming

TRiO Club

Tutoring

Transfer Academy

Here at TRiO, we want to assist you not only while you are at CT State Norwalk but also during your transition to a four-year college or university. For this reason, we have created the Transfer Academy.

Below, you will find steps to help you along your journey.

Step 1 – Choose your school. Consider these things:

Programs of Study
It is very important to pay attention to whether or not a school offers what you want to study. Choose a program that aligns with your interests and go from there.

Cost
When reviewing your school choices, look at the cost of tuition. If you are planning to live on campus, make sure you factor in the cost of residency. Also, consider whether or not the school offers scholarships and, if so, in what amounts, and then finally, how much you will have to pay out of pocket.

The Size of the University/College
The size of the college and the number of students who attend can play a role in your success at the college. More students usually mean larger class sizes. Some people excel in larger classes and some do not.

Step 2 – Requirements for chosen schools, like:

Admissions
Admissions requirements vary by school as well, and sometimes by academic program. Admissions requirements go beyond the coursework and GPA. These may include personal statements, essay questions, and letters of recommendation. Do not wait too long to apply to your program and make sure you give yourself enough time to collect the materials you need.

Deadlines
Pay attention to your deadlines! Not all schools and academic programs have the same deadlines. Some have multiple deadlines depending on what they are looking for. Track them each individually and make sure you meet them. Missing deadlines can cost you your dream school.

Prerequisite Coursework
If you are entering a specific program when you transfer, make sure the courses you take at CT State Norwalk align with the major you want to pursue. Along the way, there may be prerequisites for the courses in the school you are transferring to. Make sure you complete them now before you go.

Step 3 - Apply!

Once you have chosen your top 3-5 schools, it is time to apply. When you apply, you must do the following:

Fill out the Application(s) required for each school.
Many schools use the Common Application, which allows you to apply to multiple schools at once. Most applications have a fee associated with them. Visit the EOC Office to obtain a fee waiver for the application.

Send official transcripts to each school from CT State Community College

For E-Transcripts (if allowed)

Sign into my.ctstate.edu
Banner Self Service
Student Records
Request Transcripts
Request Official Transcript
Follow the steps in the form and indicate the schools to which you would like to send the transcripts.

For Paper Transcripts

Visit the One Stop Enrollment Center to fill out a Transcript Request Form

Pay the Confirmation Fee
The confirmation fee is different from your application fee and cannot be waived unless otherwise permitted by the four-year institution. You are charged this fee as a way to tell the four-year school that you are committed to going to that university/college.

Meet with an Advisor at your chosen college
Your new advisor will explain the way your new institution works and provide curriculum information. This person will also assist you in choosing classes for your first semester at the university/college and help you get registered.

Many of our students transfer to a four-year university/college after graduating from CT State Norwalk. Some of the most popular colleges our students transfer to are:

Southern Connecticut State University
Western Connecticut State University
University of Connecticut (Stamford campus and Storrs)
Sacred Heart University
University of Bridgeport

For more information about transferring, contact us!

Nicole von Dohlen: nicole.vondohlen@ctstate.edu
Shanoni James: shanoni.james@ctstate.edu

Last updated: March 24, 2025 | 3:03 pm

TRiO Student Support Services (SSS)

Manchester TRiO STARS Program

Program Eligibility

How to Apply

Connect With Us

Contact Us

TRiO/STARS Staff

Norwalk TRiO SSS Program

Program Benefits

Program Eligibility

Contact Us

TRiO/STARS Staff

Services Offered

Plan

Budget

Balance

Develop

Tutoring Staff

Step 1 – Choose your school. Consider these things:

Step 2 – Requirements for chosen schools, like:

Step 3 - Apply!