Our Mission
The mission of Student Support Services at Ocean County College is to assist and encourage first-generation college students, income-eligible college students, and/or college students with disabilities through the completion of a credential. We operate in a holistic, inclusive, and collaborative environment while delivering services that will immerse students in a challenging and engaging student experience. SSS emboldens students to be self-driven; to discover their own barriers, seek out solutions, and develop a positive mindset in their journey toward success.
Eligibility Requirements
Do you meet any of these eligibility requirements?
- You are a first generation student*
- You meet federal income guidelines, found on the U.S. Department of Education website
- You are a student with a disability
- You have an academic need (placed into developmental math and/or English, GPA less than 2.5, struggling to pass courses, recommended to SSS by a faculty or staff members, high rate of F & W grades)
- “You are a citizen or national of the United States or meet the residency requirements for Federal student financial assistance”
* First Generation: parents/guardians did not complete a bachelor’s degree or whose primary custodial parent/guardian did not complete a bachelor’s degree.
Free Program Advantages
Free Program Advantages:
- One-On-One Professional Tutoring
- Academic Planning & Advising—for transfer to a 4-year institution and/or career
- Academic Coaching—keeping you motivated to reach your goals
- Financial Literacy Education—to help you make smart, financial decisions
- Social Engagement & Leadership Development—attend trips and conferences to discover your purpose and build your network
Academic Coaching
Academic Coaching:
All SSS Scholars should have a preliminary meeting with the SSS Academic Coach (Barbara McCormack) to take/review LASSI and to determine their need for academic coaching/set appointments for the semester.
Academic Advising
Academic Advising:
- All SSS Scholars MUST meet with their SSS Academic Advisor (Briana Cerbone) before registering for classes.
- You must also contact Briana BEFORE making any changes to your class schedule (drop/add/withdrawal)
- Advising for the 2025FA semester is anticipated to begin end of March or early April.
- SSS Priority Registration for 2025SP is scheduled to begin mid-April.
- Watch your text messages & emails for more info. Please schedule your appts with Briana early as her calendar will fill quickly!
TRIO Events – Fall 2025 – Details outlined below!
All Activities noted with (*) fulfill a requirement of the Student Support Services program.
- Sign-ups for all events are located in SSS Main Office – please see Kate Moreno
Location: ADMN Building (#1) Room 112 - SSS Email: studentsupportservices@ocean.edu
- SSS Phone: 732-255-0539
- SSS Text: 833-501-3100 – You must opt in to send and receive text messages
- Trip, Workshops, and Event flyers are posted on the bulletin board in the SSS Community Space
TRIO Activities & Workshops – Fall 2025
We’re excited to kick off Fall 2025 with a new lineup of TRIO activities and workshops designed to support your success, build community, and make the most of the semester ahead.
(All SSS Students must attend one Financial Literacy event prior to graduation) *
Game of Life – An interactive “game” to help you learn the importance of making smart financial decisions.
DATE: November, 18, 2025 TIME: Session 1 – 9:30-10:30 AM Session 2 – 12:00-1 PM
This is the only in-person date for the fall semester
LOCATION: TRIO Scholars Workshop & Community Space
Remote Option -Case by case basis – must be completed by passing a quiz with 80% or better. Please reach out to TRIO office
Students must be eligible for AND receive a federal PELL grant to be eligible. You will receive a text/email inviting you to attend a session. Learn how you may be eligible and can apply for this grant award. (*Final award will be based in YOUR federal PELL award*) Other dates may be added at Director discretion
- Applications Due on Friday, December 12, 2025 – No late applications will be accepted except in extreme cases approved solely at the discretion of TRIO Director
In-Person: TRIO Scholars Workshop & Community Space – times may change
- Wednesday, October 15, 2025 – 12:30-1:30 PM
- Thursday, October 30 2025 – 10:00-11:00 AM
Remote: https://ocean.webex.com/meet/anoone – (times may change)
- Friday, November 14, 2025 – 2:00-3:00 PM
- Tuesday, October 21, 2025 – 11:00-12:00 PM
All SSS Students must attend one Get Connected Event prior to graduation!
- Possible early fall event – More info to be announced – look for flyers!!
HOLD: Tuesday, October 14 – 12:00-2:00 PM - TRIO Scavenger Hunt – Wednesday, November 19 – 2:00 – 3:00 (w/Helen)
- Around the World Cultural Exploration – Danish Woven Hearts – Thursday, December 4 – 10:00-11:30 (w/ Helen)
- LOCATION: All are held in the TRIO Workshop & Community Space unless specifically noted with the event.
| 25/26 FAFSA – INDIVIDUAL APPT ONLY-w/Helen | Will need 2023 tax info for self & parent(s), if filed |
| 26/27 FAFSA – Anticipated to open 10/1/2025 | Will need 2024 tax info for self & parent(s), if filed |
| OPEN FAFSA Workshops (with reps from the Financial Aid Office – 5:00-7:00PM Location: Building 10 – Last Entry is 6:30PM | Registration is preferred! REGISTER HERE Dates are: OCTOBER: 14; 22; 30 NOVEMBER: 5; 11; 19; 25 DECEMBER: 3; 9; 17 |
Food for Thought – Food will be provided!
Get the basics on how to write a resume so you stand out & learn about common interview questions, what your body language says about you & dress for success!
Location: TRIO Scholars Workshop & Community Space
- Career Exploration – *Thursday, October 16 (*Pending)
Special presenter: Danielle Jones, Program Director of Career & Academic Programs
- Resume Writing 101 – Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – 10:00-11:00 AM
- Interview 101 – Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – 12:00-1:00 PM
Transfer Workshops – Food will be provided
This workshop will help you understand the importance of the associate’s degree when transferring to complete your bachelor’s. If you have not met with Briana yet to discuss transfer options, this is the workshop for you!
- DATE: November, 11, 2025 TIME: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Only 1 session offered this semester! - LOCATION: TRIO Scholars Workshop & Community Space
TED Talk Tuesdays: 12:00 pm – 12:30pm
LOCATION: TRIO Scholars Workshop & Community Space
| Date | Topic |
| 10/7/2025 | Brain Hack: 6 Secrets to Learning Faster, Backed by Neuroscience – Lila Landowski https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKvK2foOTJM&t=11s |
| 10/21/2025 | How to Achieve Your Most Ambitious Goals – Stephen Duneier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQMbvJNRpLE |
| 11/4/2025 | Getting Stunk in the Negatives (and How to Get Unstuck) – Alison Ledgerwood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XFLTDQ4JMk |
| 11/18/2025 | How Not to Take Thing Personally – Frederik Imbo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnJwH_PZXnM |
| 12/2/2025 | Six Behaviors to Increase Your Confidence – Emily Jaenson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IitIl2C3Iy8 |
Theatrical Thursdays – 8:30AM – 4:30PM – Stop in for a bit or stay for a movie!
Don’t forget to sign in on the board under “Now Showing”
LOCATION: TRIO Workshop & Community Space
Date / Movie
- 9/4 – Are you Ready for Some Football
- 9/11 – America, the Beautiful
- 9/18 – Apes together…Strong
- 9/25 – Timeless Classics
- 10/2 – The Hunger Games
- 10/9 – The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
- 10/16 – The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- 10/23 – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
- 10/30 – This is Halloween
- 11/6 – Feel Good Fall
- 11/13 – “Marvel”ous Thursday
- 11/20 – Crazy Cartoons
- 11/27 – CAMPUS CLOSED – HAPPY THANKSGIVING
- 12/4 – The Winter Soldier
- 12/11 – The Winter Soldier
Learn how and where to look for scholarships and then learn the steps to write a good essay!
DATE: October 29, 2025 TIME: 2:30-3:30 PM
LOCATION: TRIO Scholars Workshop & Community Space w/Payton
Meditation and breathing exercises to calm your body and mind
- October 9, 2025 – 11:00 am-12:00 pm
- November 6, 2025 – 1:30 pm-2:30pm
- December 11, 2025 – 11:00 am-12:00 pm
LOCATION: TRIO Scholars Workshop & Community Space
Trips & College Visits
Watch the bulletin board for updated trip info!
Other exciting opportunities pop up from time to time – watch text and email messages too!
TRIO Scholars ONLY:
NJ Sea Grant Consortium – Friday, October 24, 2025 – 8:30am-3:30pm (times are approximate)
We will visit both the marsh at Sandy Hook Bay and the Atlantic Ocean side.
- Activities include: Water quality testing, plankton observation, seining, and plant identification at Salt Marsh. Beach hike, shell collecting and identifying, longshore current measurement and sand observation at oceanside.
- Equipment will be provided including beach wheelchairs, boots, nets and buckets
Student Life Trips: Student Life Trip Offerings (watch texts and emails for future announcements!)
- TRIO Scholars and guests can go
- TRIO will pay for the scholar – guests must register with Student Life and cover the costs of their ticket
Watch the bulletin board for updated trip info!
- Kean-Ocean – Friday, October 17, 2025 – 11:00 AM arrival
- Stockton University – Date and Time TBA – pending confirmation
- Potential 3rd visit – more info TBD – pending confirmation
- Monthly Workshop Offerings
- Cultural, Educational, & Social Events and Activities
- College Visits – (Dates TBD)
- Kean-Ocean – Date and Time TBA – pending confirmation
- Rowan University – Date and Time TBA – pending confirmation
- Exciting Cultural / Educational Trips – Including an Overnight trip!! More Info to come.
- TRIO Networking Luncheon – Graduation TRIO Scholars
Watch the bulletin board for updated trip info!
Important Information
TRIO-GRANT AID
TRIO-GRANT AID Applications: Will be due to the SSS Office no later than 4:00 PM on Friday, December 12, 2025 – No exceptions will be made!
You may email a scanned application or legible pictures of each page to studentsupportservices@ocean.edu – it MUST be timestamped no later than 4:00 PM on 12/12/2025
Please ensure the application is completed in full and is legible PRIOR to submission. We must be able to read you application.
All requirements must be satisfied to be eligible:
- Regular Academic Advising/Grad Review appts DO NOT count towards your 5 required activities
- Please speak with Alison if there is a documented extenuating circumstance that would prevent you from completing a required activity. We CANNOT offer any potential accommodations unless you communicate PRIOR to application submission
- TRIO staff will not verify information on application prior to its submission
- It is YOUR responsibility to ensure accuracy and thoroughness. Make sure you get staff signatures/initials if they are needed to verify your attendance at an event.
- If you are unsure if an event can be used to satisfy a requirement, just ask!! Attendance verification will need to be attached.
Academic Coaching:
- All TRIO Scholars should have a preliminary meeting with the SSS Academic Coach (Barbara McCormack) to take/review LASSI and to determine their need to academic coaching/set appointments for the semester.
- You will need to take the LASSI assessment online or with Barbara if you did not at your TRIO orientation session
Academic Advising:
- All TRIO Scholars MUST meet with their TRIO Academic Advisor (Briana Cerbone) BEFORE registering for classes.
- You MUST also contact & meet with Briana BEFORE making any changes to your class schedule (drop/add/withdrawal)
- Advising for the 2026SP semester will begin October 23, 2025 – don’t wait to schedule your advising appointment! Briana’s calendar will fill quickly!!
- TRIO Priority Registration for 2026SP will begin on October 23, 2025.
- Watch your text messages & emails for specific information. Please schedule your appointments with Briana early!!
Student Support Services Club
The Student Support Service Club, open to all OCC students, is tailored specifically for participants in the SSS Program. The purpose of the club is to emphasize the attainment of leadership skills, attain a sense of community and connectedness, as well as provide opportunities for community involvement and outreach.
For more information:
The Student Support Services office is located in:
The Administration Building #1
Our office hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Evening & late hours by appointment only.
Program staff can be reached by:
Direct Phone: 732-255-0539
Email: studentsupportservices@ocean.edu
SSS Office Staff
Alison Noone
Student Support Services Director
732-255-0400 ext. 2138
anoone@ocean.edu
ADMN Bldg. (#1) Room 116
Helen Konz
Student Support Services Coordinator
732-255-0400 x2373
hkonz@ocean.edu
ADMN Bldg. (#1) Room 118
Kate Moreno
Student Support Services Technician
732-255-0400 x7027
kmoreno@ocean.edu
ADMN Bldg. (#1) Room 112
Briana Cerbone
Student Support Services Specialist
732-255-0400 x 2352
bcerbone@ocean.edu
ADMN Bldg. (#1) Room 117
Barbara McCormack
Student Support Services Academic Coach
732-255-0400 x2228
bmccormack@ocean.edu
ADMN Bldg. (#1) Room 121