Syanne Young Bird, a junior majoring in family development and human science with an emphasis on child and adolescent
development, has been both a mentee and a mentor for TRIO Student Support Services' peer mentor program. 

NDSU wants its students to succeed, and offers many resources to make that happen.

For example, NDSU’s TRIO Student Support Services offers a variety of programs to help undergraduate income-eligible students, first-generation students or students with disabilities.

“We assist students academically, financially and personally through services like tutoring, grant aid, mentoring and holistic advising,” said Scott Norenberg, TRIO programs assistant director and director of Student Support Services. “While our purpose is to help students stay in school and graduate, we also work to make sure students are prepared for life after NDSU.”

The federally-funded program is designed to enhance the educational experience of eligible NDSU students.

One of those students is Syanne Young Bird, a junior majoring in human development and family science with an emphasis on child and adolescent development.

She’s a first-generation student who took part in the office’s peer mentor program both as a mentee and a mentor. She also used tutoring services and the specialized SSS classes.

“The support I receive from the program has helped me immensely in my academic career,” said Young Bird, who is from Fort Yates, North Dakota.

“I had the chance to work with an amazing peer mentor who knew the struggles of being a first-generation student and gave me the resources I needed to succeed. Having such an awesome and caring peer mentor inspired me to become a mentor myself,” Young Bird said. “The TRIO SSS program has so many opportunities to help students succeed in college and prepare them for life after college. I love being a part of the program, and I encourage all first-generation students to apply.”

Learn more about the resources available through TRIO Student Support Services online.