Southern Adventist University receives TRIO Student Support Services grant

Southern Adventist University has received a $1.36 million TRIO Student Support Services grant. The grant funding is for the university to provide enhanced support services for students who are first-generation college students, those who come from low-income backgrounds, and those who have disabilities. The university has used the grant funding to establish a new initiative called THRIVE, which stands for Tools for Higher-Ed Readiness, Involvement, Vision, and Excellence.

According to an article on Southern Adventist University’s website, Kimberly Crider, who serves as the THRIVE initiative’s director, was quoted as saying of the grant funding, “We’re very grateful to have received this funding, which represents an important investment in our students and their futures. THRIVE allows us to come alongside student participants who may be facing additional challenges and provide consistent encouragement, practical resources, and individualized support as they work toward graduation.”

Officially implemented in January of 2026, the THRIVE initiative received a perfect score on its grant funding application and will receive $272,000 every year for the next five years. Each year for the next five years, the THRIVE program will serve 140 students per year, each of whom will receive a $500 scholarship per semester if they successfully complete the THRIVE program requirements.

The goal of THRIVE is to assist students in successfully completing their college experience, including both in the classroom and in social experiences. Participating students will be provided with academic tutoring, mentoring, counseling, workshops, course selection assistance, career guidance, financial guidance, and scholarship application assistance.

For more information about Southern Adventist University, visit the school’s website.