(Bradenton, Fla., July 10, 2025)—Nine students from State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota made a first-time visit to the University of South Florida campus in Tampa to learn about the university’s academics, student life and transfer process. The field trip was arranged by SCF’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program, which helps support college navigation and success for students who are first-generation in college, are designated as low-income or have a documented disability.

Kristen L. Anderson, Ph.D., TRIO SSS project director, and Leah Nusman, TRIO SSS coordinator, joined the students. The group toured the library, bookstore, model dorm room, fitness center, cafeteria and other buildings, ate lunch in the student center, learned about book purchasing, housing, scholarship and financial aid opportunities, and asked individualized questions. Staff from the Office of Admissions and the Office of Transfer Student Success discussed information about the university, prerequisites and transfer requirements.

Students provided positive feedback about the event’s value and impact. All of the students indicated that they enjoyed participating in the activity with other TRIO SSS students. Students also said that due to the field trip, they are more confident about their ability to transfer to a university and are now more motivated to obtain their bachelor’s degree.

“Learning the opportunities a university has to offer, as well as the culture, friendly staff and environment, made it worth the experience,” wrote one student. Other students wrote, “I love how much support there is for students; I believe this campus can help me achieve my goals,” and “I’m more certain that I will be transferring to USF.”

In addition to university tours, TRIO SSS offers scholarship opportunities, academic and career advising, financial aid assistance, mentoring, tutoring, workshops and more. To learn more about the program, contact Kristen L. Anderson, project director, at 941-752-5257 or AndersKl@SCF.edu, or visit SCF.edu.

Photo caption: TRIO SSS Coordinator Leah Nusman, TRIO SSS students Jeymilin Valdiva-Miranda, Alexander Sanchez and Harry Restrepo, TRIO SSS Project Director, Kristen L. Anderson, TRIO SSS students Kevin Brown and Luisa Sanchez-Herrera, USF Tampa’s Rocky the Bull, and TRIO SSS students Jana Maynard, Joanne Sejour, Joana Mitra and Yesenia Guzman Portillo visit USF Tampa.