2 Sandburg TRIO SSS Students Awarded Regional Scholarships
Aaron Frey
Monday, May 14, 2018 4:56 PM
Campus News
Galesburg, IL
A pair of students in Carl Sandburg College’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program have been awarded competitive regional scholarships. Sebastian Arteaga of Galesburg won the 2018 Board of Directors Scholarship, and Zana Danner of Davenport, Iowa, received the 2018 Silas Purnell Scholarship.
Both scholarships, worth $1,000, are sponsored by the Education Opportunity Association, a regional organization comprised of TRIO professionals throughout the Midwest.
Arteaga and Danner were selected from a pool of candidates from each state throughout the region. Selection criteria included participation in a TRIO program; current or anticipated enrollment in an accredited two- of four-year postsecondary institution; cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above; and having demonstrated strong leadership and/or advocacy efforts in their community.
“There is no doubt that Sebastian and Zana were deserving nominees for these scholarships,” Sandburg TRIO SSS director Autumn Scott said. “They have both proven themselves to be very strong academically. What makes them even more impressive is their ability to manage the multiple demands of their employment, campus involvement and community volunteerism while still maintaining excellent grades in very rigorous courses.”
While at Sandburg, Arteaga has been involved with the men’s cross country team; Phi Theta Kappa Honors in Action; Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT); and as a TRIO SSS academic coach to his peers. He also volunteers with organizations such as the Knox Prairie Community Kitchen.
Danner has been an executive board officer with Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, is taking courses for honors credit, has been selected as a TRIO SSS academic coach for 2018-19 and regularly volunteers at a local hospital.
TRIO SSS is a federally funded program available through the U.S. Department of Education. TRIO serves first-generation, income-eligible students at Sandburg who intend to graduate with an associate degree and transfer to a four-year college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree. The funding level for the 2017-18 academic year is $232,265.