Lake Superior College has hired Collene Wheeler as a TRiO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) Temporary Advisor at Hibbing Community College located in office C144. Her responsibilities will include recruiting students to participate in the EOC program with the goal of successful college graduation.
EOC provides perspective students with the support to enter or reenter higher education through services such as financial aid counseling and helping with the admissions process. Wheeler will work closely with community resources to both recruit and support students in their academic careers.
Wheeler has recently served as an intern at the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency in Adult Basic Education, helping students and community members at Hibbing Community College. She brings more than six years of PCA experience, working at Access North (Center for Independent Living) with people with physical and cognitive disabilities, and/or mental illness. Wheeler holds a B.A. in social work from The College of St. Scholastica and is working towards her M.A in social work at The College of St. Scholastica.
The Educational Opportunity Center provides community members who qualify in St. Louis, Douglas and Carleton Counties free access to services designed to help them reach a better life through college training and education. The EOC program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education Programs-TRiO.
Participants will be connected to tutors, mentors and counselors for guidance on admission, financial aid and postsecondary course selection. For those who may not have finished high school, help will be offered on secondary school re-entry or high school equivalency exam programs – or other alternative education programs to complete a high school equivalency.
Educational Opportunity Centers also provide services to students traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, including students with disabilities, limited English proficiency, and other disadvantaged individuals, such as those who may be homeless, or exiting foster care. The EOCs also serve veterans, military families, formerly incarcerated, and single parent families.
Services provided include: College searches, career choices, financial literacy workshops, understanding financial aid, assistance with FAFSA (Federal and State Financial Aid) applications, loan rehabilitation support, admissions, advising and more.
