This content was published: September 20, 2010. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
ROOTS program ready to grow into pivotal role at Cascade
Photos and story by Abe Proctor
For several years now, the ROOTS program at the Sylvania Campus has helped at-risk students to succeed. Now, thanks to a $1.1 million federal TRIO grant, students at Cascade Campus will have the opportunity to participate in the program as well. 
The ROOTS program supports its students with a smorgasbord of services, such as individual academic and financial aid advising, dedicated tutoring sessions and peer mentoring. ROOTS students also receive training on how to sharpen their time management, organizational and study skills.
“We know that this type of wraparound approach to at-risk students is really effective,” said Linda Reisser, Dean of Student Development at Cascade. “ROOTS students say they really appreciate the dedicated advising and financial aid staff support.”
The grant will support 140 students per year for the next five years, Reisser said. Part of that support includes three specially-designed, mandatory College Success classes, which are offered tuition-free to program participants. The grant will also fund three new positions: two academic advisors and a program director, all of whose services will be dedicated exclusively to ROOTS students.
Once students have participated in the program for a year, Reisser added, they then serve as peer mentors for incoming first-year ROOTS students.
But getting into the program can be a competitive proposition. “We have about 10 times as many students who are eligible than can participate,” Reisser said.
To enter the program, students must demonstrate academic need by testing into a least one of the following PCC courses: Reading 90 or 115; Writing 90 or 115; Math 20, 60, 65, 70 or 95; or ESOL 260, 262 or 264. Students must also take the majority of their credits at Cascade Campus, and be in good academic and financial standing.
In addition, prospective students must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Low-income, according to federal TRIO program standards.
- first-generation college student.
- student with a documented disability.
Reisser said that the campus is conducting a search for personnel to fill the positions associated with the program, and that the program will be ready to accept its first cohort of students by the start of Winter Term 2011. Information on the program will be made available through a variety of channels; students can also learn more via the Sylvania ROOTS website.
“I’m really excited about bringing the ROOTS program to Cascade,” Reisser said. “It will help a lot of students who really need it. It brings them a sense of pride.”