Program helps students succeed with higher education aspirations

The Center for Human Enrichment is committed to the academic success of first-generation and underrepresented students on the UNC campus.

According to the U.S. Department of Education Web site, CHE is a federal Student Support Services Program funded by the U.S. Department of Education through a TRIO grant, which was  established to help motivate and support students from “disadvantaged” backgrounds. The club also receives matching support from the University of Northern Colorado.

Students seeking admission to the CHE program must be first-generation college students with neither parent nor legal guardian having earned a bachelor’s degree. Also, students must meet federal low-income guidelines.

Julie Trujillo, the CHE coordinator for advising and counseling, said CHE assesses students to meet their needs and assists them all four years of college to succeed academically.

“We ask students what it is they’re looking for, and we make sure we can meet their needs,” Trujillo said.

Upon meeting these eligibility requirements, students can then fill out an application for admittance. Only students already admitted to UNC can go through this process.

Because it is federally funded, CHE must maintain 200 students in its program at all times and admit 50 to 65 students at the beginning of each year.

Existing UNC students can choose to apply for membership into CHE if they meet the eligibility requirements, but are usually admitted after incoming students — freshmen and transfers.

CHE offers academic advising and tutoring to its members in addition to several workshops to help strengthen academic skills.

“CHE had a lot of good support — helped me figure out what I was going to do in college and helped me develop good study habits,” said Sarah Paul, a junior elementary education major and peer adviser for CHE.

Jessica Boff, a junior psychology major and a peer adviser for CHE, said she enjoys being involved with the program because of the support system students receive from the staff and each other.

“Being a first-generation student, you kind of walk blindly into college,” Boff said. “It’s nice to have support.”

Trujillo said although the organization doesn’t have the adequate staff to do as many social events as they would like, CHE does host a few events for members throughout the school year.

CHE hosts a spring and a fall reception every year to recognize graduating seniors and members with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Incoming students involved in CHE also have the opportunity to move onto campus five days earlier than the set move-in date.