Stacey Smith (pseudonym)

Stacey Smith participated in LFCC’s TRIO Student Support Services Program, which provides academic and personal support to students. An intelligent and responsive student, she enjoyed all of her classes — but was suffering inside.

“One day she came in and burst into tears because she had anxiety that she had tried to control all of her academic life,” said Stacey’s English Instructor, Susan Martin. “She was a stellar student who worked so hard to achieve her academic goals, but she began failing because of her anxiety,” said Martin, who directs LFCC’s TRIO Program in addition to her teaching duties.

Wanting to help Stacey, Martin approached Tammy LaDrew, the College’s coordinator for retention and assessment. LaDrew suggested that Martin inform Stacey about the TRIO Student Support Services Crisis Fund, which provides funding for students’ emergency expenses that they have been unable to fund through other means.

Stacey applied for the program and received funding for counseling and physician’s services. The staff intervention and the Crisis Fund’s support led to the diagnosis of Stacey’s anxiety disorder and the start of medical care.

Stacey graduated after the fall 2006 semester with plans to transfer to Virginia Tech to pursue her bachelor’s degree in education.

- Written Nov. 3, 2006