In The News | Professor Diba Khan-Bureau Receives Rockfall Foundation Award

The Rockfall Foundation Announces Recipients of 2021 Environmental Champion Awards.

From The Rockfall Foundation

The Rockfall Foundation bestowed a certificate of appreciation to Professor Diba-Khan Bureau of Three Rivers Community College. At left is Rockfall Executive Director Tony Marino. (Photo from The Rockfall Foundation)

The Rockfall Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2021 Environmental Champion Awards. The award winners were selected from nominations submitted by members of the community across the Lower Connecticut River Valley. Kim O’Rourke has been selected for the Tom ODell Distinguished Service Award, which honors long-term accomplishments in environmental conservation and preservation. Certificates of Appreciation are being awarded to Bernie Gillis of the East Haddam Conservation Commission and Dr. Diba Khan-Bureau of Three Rivers Community College.

Kim O’Rourke:

Kim has served 30 years as Recycling Coordinator for the City of Middletown. Starting as the City’s second coordinator at a time when mandatory recycling was new in Connecticut, Kim has built a program in Middletown that has received recognition statewide and regionally. Throughout her career, Kim has expanded the purview of her one-person operation to include multiple aspects of environmental conservation, including ecosystem protection, sustainability, waste reduction, composting, and organic food production. Learn more about Kim’s accomplishments here.
Certificates of Appreciation

Bernie Gillis:

Bernie is a Member of the East Haddam Conservation Commission, East Haddam Land Trust, and East Haddam Planning & Zoning Commission who is dedicated to the preservation of, and public access to, open space. Learn more about Bernie’s accomplishments here.

Dr. Diba Khan-Bureau:

Diba works as a professor and the Program Coordinator for the Environmental Technology and Biology TAP Pathway at Three Rivers Community College who has successfully blended her career as a professor with her dedication as a local conservationist. Learn more about Diba’s accomplishments here.

The original article can be found here: 2021 Environmental Champion Awards

Covid HEERF Funds Now Available to Current Students

COVID relief funds now available to all TRCC students

We are happy to announce that our current students are eligible to receive COVID relief funds from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) that was authorized by the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. Our system office, CSCU, has allocated some of these funds directly for our students in two ways:

1. For all students enrolled in for-credit programs 

CSCU plans on mailing (or direct-depositing) HEERF payments to all students enrolled in for-credit programs starting this week. Payments are expected to be between $400 and $800, with the higher payments going to students at the “double Pell” EFC level or below. CSCU is planning an additional round of payments like this in December as well. Additional information can be found at https://www.ct.edu/studentsupportprogram

2. For all students enrolled in a for-credit course or non-credit certificate/program 

Starting today, October 18, all enrolled students can apply for “emergency grants” funded with HEERF student dollars. The deadline is Monday, November 15, 2021. CSCU has set up an on-line application form where students can attest that they have an extraordinary need, identify a category for that need, and provide a brief description. This can include debt that is the result of spending for college or the costs of attendance (like transportation, housing, food, child-care, etc.) since March 2020 when the pandemic began, or debt that would have been paid off since March 2000 if not for the pandemic.

$5 million has been allocated for this. A committee has been established to review the applications and payments will be made in December. 

Additional information and links to the on-line application can be found at https://www.ct.edu/studentsupportprogram#grant. Again, the application deadline for these emergency funds is Monday, November, 15, 2021. 

New $2,020 Scholarships for Students Graduating May 2021 and in 2020

For the first time, Connecticut Community College students who will be graduating this May and plan to attend one of the CSCU universities are eligible to apply for one of three $2,020 from the new Students First Scholarship Fund. This fund was created by the CSCU Foundation and the CSCU Board of Regents in honor of retired President Mark E. Ojakian and his dedication towards placing the needs of students first with the state’s public colleges and universities.

The scholarship will be awarded during the month of May to eligible applicants. The monies can be applied to tuition, fees, tutoring services, textbooks, laptops, tablets and supplies specifically outlined in a syllabus.

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria and apply by Friday, March 12, 2021:

• Be in their final semester at one of the Connecticut Community Colleges OR have graduated from a Connecticut Community College system within the past 12 months prior to application
• Will receive or have received a degree in any major including general studies
• Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Have applied to one of the four Connecticut State Universities (Eastern, Western, Southern, Central) or Charter Oak State College
• Be a resident of the State of Connecticut at time of application and at time of award
• Complete the application (download here) including an essay and your transcript, both of which are detailed on the application, and submit no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2021.

If you have any questions, please email studentsfirstaward@gmail.com.

BOR Funds Free Community College For Fall 2020

In the News | Three Rivers quadcopter team takes first place

Norwich, Connecticut (The Day, May 17, 2019) —A team from Three River Community College that included five local students tied for first place in the annual NASA-sponsored Community College Quadcopter Challenge April 26 at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson.

The Thames River Community College drone team, from left, Daniel Docker of New London, Adam Rugh of Old Mystic, Kevin Peterson of New London, Jonathan Bermudez of Norwich and Nate Reigles of Oakdale, along with advisor Yevhen Rutovytskyy. (Photo submitted)

Students were Adam Rugh of Old Mystic, Nate Reigles of Oakdale, Kevin Peterson and Daniel Docker of New London and Jonathan Bermudez of Norwich. The final two students were military veterans.

The team, led by Electric Boat engineer and adjunct professor Yevhen Rutovytskyy, tied QVCC, which had won the three previous drone challenges.

Each team member put in between 80 and 100 hours of work into into the drone, and each student will receive a $1,000 stipend.

The project is intended to increase the number of science, technology, engineering and math graduates, raise awareness of NASA education initiatives, enhance STEM diversity and provide experience with computer-aided drafting software.

“As a senior engineer at a defense contractor, my goal is to help students transcend their ‘comfort zone’ and learn skills that are not ordinarily offered as part of the engineering curriculum in community colleges,” Rutovytskyy, a Colchester resident, said in an email.

Part of the challenge included fabricating a multi-positional camera mount to allow the drone operator to manually switch camera views and acquire in-flight pictures of various targets of interest.

The original article can be found here: ‘Three Rivers quadcopter team takes first place’

CSCU Makes Institutional Aid Application Available for Undocumented Students

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) President Mark Ojakian announced that the application for institutional financial aid for undocumented students is now available on CSCU’s website. In April 2018, the Connecticut General Assembly passed and Governor Malloy signed PA 18-2, which makes institutional financial aid available to students without taking immigration status into consideration.  In ensuing months, financial aid directors and staff at the system, colleges, universities, Charter Oak State College, and UConn came together to create the application to make this funding available.

In accordance with the law, veterans of the United States armed forces who are without legal immigration status were eligible to apply for this type of financial aid for the 2018-2019 year.  All other students without legal immigration status are eligible to apply for financial aid toward the Spring 2020 semester.

“A student’s immigration status should never preclude them from accessing a high-quality education,” President Ojakian said. “For too long, many undocumented students have faced additional burdens financing higher education because they were ineligible for most financial aid. This legislation took another important step toward leveling the playing field for immigrant students – many of whom graduated from Connecticut high schools and are integral members of our communities. The application is now available, and I encourage students – or potential students – who are undocumented to familiarize themselves with the process of applying for institutional aid.”

In order to receive institutional financial aid, students must meet certain age, residency, and criminal history requirements along with an affidavit with the institution they are attending about their intent to legalize their immigration status when they are eligible to do so.

To learn more or download the 2019-2020 Aid Application for CT Undocumented Students (AACTUS), visit ct.edu/admission/finaid.

In the News | Importance of Community Colleges in Connecticut

NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH, April 25, 2018) – Three Rivers Community College provides opportunity for many students.

Whether it’s getting a degree in accounting, nursing, or getting special training to enter into the submarine manufacturing industry, students count on the college to get ahead in life.

“I’m getting to fulfill my dream of becoming a nurse someday,” said student Lori Fella of Moosup.

Three Rivers is one of the state’s 12 community colleges which the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) wanted to consolidate. But now, that’s not going to happen.

The accrediting agency, New England Association of Schools & Colleges, or NEASC, has turned down CSCU’s money-saving proposal.

Mark Ojakian, president of CSCU says this will be “devastating” and could lead to tuition hikes or campus closures.

“I’d probably have to travel a long way an hour or so,” said Fella.

“I got a 2-year-old and a newborn on the way and I’m working,” said student Mark Simmert of Norwich.

He says he can’t afford to travel farther than the Norwich campus. He’s majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing.

“And then I’m also going to come back and get my certificate in graphic design and eventually I’m going to open my own repair shop,” said Simmert.

“They actually have a nuclear engineering technology program here,” said student Nathan Reigles of Montville.

That program is the only one in the state and Reigles hopes it will help land him a job at the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant which has invested a lot in the school.

In addition to the degree programs, there are also several non-credit courses that are aimed at getting people trained so they can get into the workforce.

The manufacturing pipeline trains welders for Electric Boat. The school also provides a food pantry and Narcan training.

“I think this school is very, very in touch with what the students need,” said Reigles.

Students don’t want that to change.

“With people not being able to continue their education that drops the economy which is something that Connecticut can’t really afford either,” said Simmert.

This school is part of the community and students say it is an important part of their success.

— By Tina Detelj, WTNH Channel 8

The original story can be found here: ‘Commmunity colleges impacted by rejection to consolidate schools’

Ridley-Lowell Students welcome at Three Rivers

Upon hearing of the unfortunate close of Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute, Three Rivers Community College would like Ridley students to know that Three Rivers offers many ways for them to complete their education. Advisors are available now to meet with students, discuss the programs that Three Rivers has to offer and how they may be able to transition and continue their studies.

Advisers are available to meet with students. An appointment can be scheduled by calling the Welcome Center at 860-215-9016. Additional information can be found in our FAQ for Ridley-Lowell Students.

Three Rivers Academic Programs that match Ridley-Lowell students’ interests

There are several noncredit Workforce courses and programs that could work for Ridley-Lowell students. Programs include a Medical Administrative Assistant Program, Medical Billing & Coding Program, Dental Assisting Program, and Veterinary Assisting Program. Students can start as soon as this summer with classes such as: Certified Nurse Aide, Medical Coding, Understanding Health Insurance, Pharmacy Technician and Medical Math. Some non-credit courses lead into certificate programs. To discuss Workforce courses and enrollment, call 860-215-9028 or visit www.threerivers.edu/workforce.

In addition, starting this fall Three Rivers is introducing a new associate degree — Certified Clinical Medical Assistant. Graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for the exam as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). For more information on credit courses and degree programs, contact the Welcome Desk at 860-215-9016 or visit www.threerivers.edu.

Deadline for Full-Ride Nuclear Engineering Scholarships is Feb 15

Three Rivers Community College and Millstone Station (Dominion Nuclear Connecticut) are again offering 16 full scholarships for the Nuclear Engineering Technology Degree program. It is the only program of its kind in New England, one of three in the country, and considered the best in the nation. Through classroom, laboratory, and simulator instruction, this program educates students in the theories underlying the safe operation of nuclear power generating stations. For students interested in beginning the program in the Fall of 2018, the application deadline for the scholarship is February 15, 2018.

What does the scholarship cover?

The Technology Energy scholarships cover the full cost of tuition, books, and fees for a two-year associate degree program, starting with the Fall 2021 semester.  Additionally, students receive a guaranteed $150 per month stipend during the nine-month academic year and have a twelve-week paid internship experience at the Millstone Nuclear Station during the summer between their first and second academic year. This gives the students the opportunity to see nuclear utility operations first hand and develop significant practical work experience.

Prior scholarship recipients, upon completion of the program, have successfully transferred to nuclear engineering and health physics baccalaureate degree programs. Those opting to enter the workplace as technicians have found their education and experience in strong demand by Connecticut business and industry.

Learn more

To learn more about the scholarship and the Nuclear Engineering Technology program curriculum, call Professor James Sherrard, Nuclear Program Chairman and Scholarship Program Coordinator, at 860-215-9472. Or, visit threerivers.edu/nuclear to read more and download the application.

In the News | TRCC Receives Grant to Help Homeless Students

Three Rivers received a grant and increased resources for homeless students. Both The Day and the Norwich Bulletin covered this news in the articles below.

Three Rivers seeks to help homeless students stay in school

— By Anna Maria Della Costa, Norwich Bulletin staff writer

Norwich, CT (Norwich Bulletin, November 8, 2017) — With recent studies showing that up to half of community college students are housing insecure and many are homeless, Three Rivers Community College is increasing resources for those students.

Three Rivers recently received a $7,000 Melville Charitable Trust grant to help officials provide students with books, educational supplies, transportation, day care, food vouchers and medical assistance to enable them to remain in school.

Marjorie Valentin, the associate dean at Three Rivers, said she also hopes the support will help students obtain sustainable employment and break the cycle of homelessness.

“Three Rivers Community College estimates 20 students per semester are experiencing housing instability, defined as individuals formally homeless, homeless or in danger of homelessness,” Valenin said. ”… This funding will help the college’s most vulnerable population with daily living.”

The grant comes from the Employment and Educational Opportunity Fund, and provides modest, highly flexible support for essential educational expenses of homeless or formerly homeless individuals, according to a press release.

“Given the increase in homelessness,” Mary Ellen Jukoski, Three Rivers president, said, “this is important news for the college and our students.”

Three Rivers will also participate in the 2018 CT Coalition to End Homelessness Youth Count survey. Sharon Lincoln, a student support specialist, will act as the team lead for the survey and be the “point person” for homeless students on campus, officials said.

Lincoln will help connect students with the food pantry, scholarships, off campus resources and more, the release states.

Valentin said it’s the third annual Youth Count, which begins Jan. 24 and runs for a week. It will help identify homeless and unstably housed youth, many of whom never enter homeless shelters.

“TRCC will survey students and gather critical data which will enable the college to identify homeless students in need of basic living and educational supports,” Valentin said.

Where to call: If you are a student at Three Rivers Community College who needs help finding food or shelter, or if you know a student who might, call Sharon Lincoln at (860) 215-9264 to set up a consultation.

The original article can be found here: Three Rivers seeks to help homeless students stay in school

Three Rivers receives grant to serve homeless and at risk students

New London, CT (The Day, January 7, 2018) — Three Rivers Community College has received a $7,000 grant from the Melville Charitable Trust to offer education and employment services to students who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Recent studies show that up to half of community college students nationwide are housing insecure and 14 percent are homeless, Three Rivers officials said in a press release announcing receipt of the grant.

The grant will fund expenses related to the educational and employment goals of homeless students. In addition to the grant funding, Three Rivers is participating in the Youth Count Survey as part of the 2018 Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness and has named a point person for homelessness on campus.

“Three Rivers Community College is thankful to receive support from the Melville Charitable Trust to assist our homeless and formally homeless students,” Marjorie Valentin, associate dean of Workforce and Community Education said in the press release. “This funding will help the college’s most vulnerable population with daily living costs such as transportation, day care, food, books and shelter so they can continue their educational pathway and obtain sustainable employment.”

Three Rivers has named Sharon Lincoln, a student support specialist as the point person for homeless students on campus. Lincoln’s role is to ensure that students have access to resources that will help them be successful students. This can include connecting them with the food pantry, scholarships, off campus resources and more. Lincoln will also act as the team lead when Three Rivers participates in the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness 2018 Connecticut Youth Count.

The Youth Count will kick off its third year to help identify homeless and unstably housed youth, many of whom never enter homeless shelters. Three Rivers is collaborating with the coalition to attain a comprehensive count to understand better the scope of the magnitude, needs, and demographics of homeless youth in the state.

Any Three Rivers students needing help finding food or shelter and anyone knowing someone in that situation are asked to call Lincoln at (860) 215-9264 to set up a consultation appointment.

“Given the increase in homelessness, this is important news for the college and our students,” Three Rivers President Mary Ellen Jukoski said of the grant.

The original article can be found here: Three Rivers receives grant to serve homeless and at risk students