Trellis

Trellis is designed to improve graduation rates and employment outcomes for high school graduates in the New Orleans area. There are an estimated 126,000 New Orleans residents 18 years of age or older who have a high school diploma or equivalency but no postsecondary degree, according to 2017 census data. Students have unique reasons and life circumstances that prevent them from persisting at the post-secondary level. However, most first-generation or socioeconomically disadvantaged students lag behind their peers due to financial constraints affording college, difficulties navigating college processes and a lack of support and stabilization resources to overcome life and academic barriers.

Trellis’ mission is to provide New Orleanians with an affordable, supportive, and individualized pathway to a college degree. Students complete self-paced, career aligned coursework through Southern New Hampshire University while receiving in person support from Trellis staff to navigate any challenges that may arise on the path to graduation. Trellis’ staff develop a supportive coaching relationship with each student by providing enrollment and financial aid assistance, college persistence and career coaching, and support services that reflect each student’s unique pathway through college. The Trellis program is flexible so a college education can fit around a student’s life.