“They’re just like a huge support system,” said sophomore Shelby Wittum, of Aquinas Student Support Services (SSS). Currently studying English literature and secondary education, Wittum (pictured at right with her mom) has utilized the staff and resources at SSS to better understand the complex financial aid process, receive academic support, learn about scholarships, and plan for the future.

This past December, after receiving notification of an available study abroad scholarship, she jumped at the opportunity and became the recipient of the $1,000 Michigan Chapter of Mid-American Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel's (MI-MAEOPP) Personal Essay Scholarship. Excited for a unique educational experience, Wittum plans to utilize the funds toward study in Tully Cross, Ireland next spring.

“[SSS Staff] are so helpful making students aware of opportunities they have,” said Wittum, and explained the multiple roles of the office in “emotional, academic, and financial support.” Wittum quickly learned of the dedication of their mission when she was contacted by SSS staff her freshman year and offered timely assistance in financial aid and college planning. She soon met with staff member LaShondra McMillan, who set up regular meetings throughout the semester to discuss the status of Wittum’s progress and her emotional and academic development. “She’s a huge help,” Wittum said of McMillan, who has since become her main supervisor.

SSS staff member Brian Parsons also offered helpful assistance through notifying Wittum of the MI-MAEOPP scholarship. Through a partnership with organization, SSS is able to provide scholarships that recognize leadership and academic achievement. After learning of the opportunity, Wittum applied for study abroad assistance and wrote an essay expressing her desire to teach overseas in the future and earn the cultural experience necessary to complete her endeavor.

During the first week of January, she was informed that she had become one of two recipients of the scholarship and could thus begin her plans for a semester in Ireland. An avid learner with a rich Irish heritage, Wittum is ecstatic about the opportunity to visit the country of her ancestors. “That really intrigues me,” she said, of the ability to better understand the history of her family and the Irish people and widen her cultural exposure. “It’s such a big world.”

As Wittum prepares for her junior year and semester abroad, she continues to further her cultural and educational experience with the help of SSS. This summer, she will embark on a three-month internship in Newark, N.J. at Safe Haven Urban Redemption, a nonprofit organization geared toward the enrichment of the academic, spiritual, and emotional life of inner city students. Through this position, a semester in Ireland, and the support from McMillan and Parsons, Wittum hopes gain the experience necessary for a future educator. She is ecstatic about the assistance she received from SSS and the built-in support system that has enabled her to pursue even the loftiest goals. “I want people to know about [SSS],” Wittum said. “It’s so helpful.”