TRIO Day: What it means for TRIO high school and college students

Throughout February, students in TRIO programs from area high schools and Colorado Mountain College campuses are participating in the 2024 National TRIO Day of Service commemorated on Feb. 25. They are expressing their appreciation for the TRIO program in a variety of ways.

What is TRIO?

Established in 1965, TRIO is a federally funded, nationwide, higher education program that provides support and resources for underserved students. TRIO participants may have disabilities, be from low-income families, or may be striving to be the first in their families to attend and graduate from college. TRIO gives these students the support they need to succeed.

TRIO began with three programs – hence, “trio.” It has expanded to eight programs today that each have their own focus and target population. From middle school through post-graduate study, TRIO provides academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial guidance and other support necessary to promote college access, retention and graduation.

What TRIO programs does Colorado Mountain College offer?

TRIO Upward Bound is a free high school program that CMC has offered for 19 years. Currently, 123 students from throughout CMC’s region, including high schools in New Castle, Parachute, Rifle, Leadville and the Vail Valley participate in Upward Bound.

Upward bound student Michelle Santillan benefitted from the support she received through the program as a student at Coal Ridge High School in New Castle. “Upward Bound has helped me in many ways, but one thing it has helped me out the most in was to prepare for college,” Santillan said. “I never knew how the process would go, and TRIO helped me out with that.”

TRIO Student Support Services is a free program for CMC students that the college has offered for over 20 years at multiple CMC campuses, including Rifle, Spring Valley, Steamboat Springs, Vail Valley at Edwards and Leadville. Over 300 students collegewide participate in SSS at CMC.

TRIO college students and graduates such as CMC Vail Valley at Edwards’ Kayleigh Lyons, who participated in the Student Support Services program, are grateful for the TRIO program. “Thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart for helping me get through college and graduating,” Lyons said. “It was easier to follow through with your guidance, and you made me feel like I always had someone to talk to when I had weird questions.”

What activities are TRIO students involved in during February to celebrate National TRIO Day of Service?

Upward Bound students are visiting the state capitol as well as volunteering in their local communities at pet shelters, libraries and churches. Student Support Services students are celebrating in different ways, such as reading to elementary school students or helping out at food pantries or community markets.

For more information about TRIO programs offered at Colorado Mountain College, visit TRIO Upward Bound for high school students and TRIO Student Support Services for CMC college students.