TOP: TRiO Student Support Services
Contact TOP
Learning Resource Center (LRC) 228
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
˿Ƶ TOP
We power the potential of first-generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities. Our dedicated staff provides services and support in the following areas:
- One-on-one and group tutoring
- Academic, career, and financial aid planning
- Peer mentoring and networking with other students
- College success classes, faculty-led sessions, and workshops
- Assistance with applying for financial aid, scholarships, and grants
- Community building and cultural events
Current TOP students:
- Students will meet with their TOP Academic Specialists for regular advising appointments via phone, Zoom, text and e-mail.
- Tutoring services will be provided by the Peer Consulting Center online via Zoom. Read more.
- Peer mentoring will be provided to current TOP students via text, e-mail and Zoom.
- Academic workshops will be delivered in a webinar and video format.
- Extra-curricular social events will be conducted via social media. Detailed communication regarding these efforts will be sent to all current TOP students' e-mails.
- All TOP staff is available to assist students during regular work hours, Monday - Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Please use the contact section below reach out to any of the staff members.
Prospective/ Incoming students:
- Please use the "" button below to submit an application online.
- Once submitted, our staff will contact your within a week to notify you of the next steps.
- If you have any questions about your TOP application, please contact us at 541-885-1129 or TOP@oit.edu.
Applying to TOP
Students must qualify in ONE of the following categories:
- Low Income: Your and your family's taxable income falls below the Department of Education's current
- First Generation: Neither of your parents or legal guardians have obtained a Bachelor's degree or higher.
- Student with a disability: You have a documented physical or learning disability.
AND
Students must demonstrate an academic need by meeting one of the criteria below:
- High school GPA of 2.75 or below or
- SAT Math <= 530
- SAT Writing <=560
- SAT Reading <=560
- any ACT subtest score of 19 or below or
- placement into any remedial course or
- college cumulative GPA below 2.5, or below level needed to maintain any academic scholarship, or below major program requirements or
- have not attended school for five years or more.
- Lack of educational and/or career goals
- Lack of preparedness for college level coursework
- other (at the discretion of the TOP Program Director)
Note: The above list does not include all possible criteria. Other factors may apply and a student may be deemed eligible at the discretion of the Program Director.
Additionally, students who meet two or more of the following criteria are eligible to apply:
- Low academic and/or career self-efficacy
- Single Parent
- Transfer student from out-of-state
- Underrepresented in terms of gender in chosen major
- Less than 200% left of Pell remaining
- Working more than 20 hours a week
- Prior TRIO program participant
- History of Course Withdrawals (minimum of two)
If you are not sure whether you qualify for TOP, please submit the application, and we will be glad to check your eligibility.
TOP's Mission
Provide services to ˿Ƶ Tech's Student Support Services (SSS) eligible participants to significantly increase their academic achievement, retention, and graduation rates.
This Student Support Services Project is federally funded at $294,380 annually. Our objectives for the 2020-2025 grant cycle are:
- Eight-one percent (81%) of participants served by the SSS Project will persist from one academic year to beginning of the next academic year or graduate.
- Ninety-one percent (91%) of all enrolled participants served will meet the performance level required to stay in good academic standing at ˿Ƶ Tech (2.0 cumulative ˿Ƶ Tech GPA)
- Fifty-one percent (51%) of new participants served each year graduated within six years.
TOP End of Year Report
2021-2022 End of the Year Report
TOP Services
- Comprehensive one-on-one academic, personal, and career advising.
- One-on-one and small group tutoring services in conjunction with our Peer Consulting tutoring service
- Varied workshops covering test-taking strategies, study skills, career selection, time management, financial literacy, etc.
- Student Success Seminars (ACAD 207) specifically designed for TOP students.
- Development of academic and personal goals.
- Regular meetings/ongoing support with an Academic Specialist.
- Midterm assessments completed each term by all TOP participants in their first year.
- September Bridge Orientation to College Program for Residence Hall students.
- Limited grant funding for qualified students.
- Financial literacy skill development.
- Comprehensive assessments (study skills inventory)
- Development of Personal Success Plan
- Orientation sessions to TOP Program
- Support with verifying a major, career exploration
- Sense of community
- Sense of academic competence
TOP's Support Services and Programs
Summer Bridge
Summer Bridge: Summer Bridge program is designed to help non-traditional and transfer students transition to ˿Ƶ Tech. This free program takes place just before the start of the fall term and offers a great opportunity to meet ˿Ƶ Tech faculty, staff and students.
Student Success Seminars
Freshmen in TOP participate in a three-term student success seminar intended to foster their transition to ˿Ƶ Tech. The class is offered at no cost to students.
Workshops
We offer a wide variety of workshops on topics from financial literacy, study skills, and academics to career planning and professional development. We strive to offer at least one workshop a week throughout the academic year.
Financial Literacy
TOP students can access money management, budgeting, and financial planning tools and tips through the Owls' Worth Program. Additionally, TOP students have , which provides financial tutorials, templates, and strategies tailored specifically for college students.
First Generation Student Celebrations
A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor's degree. This means that you are the first in your family to attend a four-year college/university to attain a bachelor's degree. Being first-generation is a very proud accomplishment and we join the National First-Generation College Celebration on November 8th every year!
Meet TOP Staff
Charlotte Waite, Lead TOP Advisor
I aim to positively impact students helping them discover their full potential both in their academic career and in life. I have dabbled working in various multimedia platforms from writing for newspapers and magazines to managing podcasts and radio. My greatest passion, however, is connecting with others. This passion led me to work as an advisor for TRIO’s high school centered program Upward Bound. As a TOP advisor, I am excited to continue the work I started in Upward Bound serving and supporting students through their journeys at ˿Ƶ Tech.
I completed my bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication at Concordia University Irvine in sunny Southern California. During this time, I studied abroad in South Korea immersing myself in the culture and enjoying the unbelievably delicious cuisine. Born and raised in Klamath Falls, I came back home after completing my degree and started working in higher education. During my down time, I can be found hanging out with my guinea pig and dog, reading, fishing, or cheering on the Portland Timbers.
Dahiana Padilla, TOP Advisor
¡Hola! Hello!
My name is Dahiana Padilla! A little bit about me is that soy de aqui y de alla, meaning “I am from here and from there”, I was raised in both Nayarit, México but have lived the majority of my life in Klamath Falls. My desire is to provide a safe space where your voice can be heard and represented. I am passionate about serving students through empowering and listening to your stories.
˿Ƶ is an EO/Title IX/504/ADA Institution
˿Ƶ does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or gender identity in its programs and activities. Questions or concerns regarding ˿Ƶ Tech’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to Dr. Jennifer Wilson, Executive Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Engagement (email: jennifer.wilson@oit.edu, phone: 541.885.0182).