TRiO Day: Celebrating IUPU TRiO Educational Opportunities Programs

As part of national TRiO Week activities, IUPUI is hosting TRiO Day, a special gathering of students, graduates, faculty, and staff in support of equal opportunity programs.  Activities will be held on Friday, February 27 from 9am-noon in the IUPUI Informatics Technology auditorium. 

TRiO Week provides an opportunity for students, alumni, and community members to contact Congress and familiarize them with the success of TRiO and how it benefits students, families, and communities.  TRiO programs help students overcome class, social, and cultural barriers to higher education.  More than 2,600 TRiO programs currently serve nearly 872,000 low-income Americans. Many of the programs, such as Upward Bound, McNair Scholars, and Student Support Services begin serving students in grades six through 12 to prepare them for college.  

Scott Evans, TRiO Alumni, and new face of WXIN 59, will share his experiences and success story at the TRiO Day Celebration.  
 
There are three TRiO programs at IUPUI that will participate in TRiO Day.  Upward Bound is a federal program that assists high school students in preparing for college.  This program helps students achieve academic success in high school, select a college or university, and complete financial aid and admissions applications.  Students in the Upward Bound program are four times more likely to earn an undergraduate degree than students from similar backgrounds who do not participate in TRiO programs.

 “The Upward Bound program has helped me prepare for a successful college experience in so many ways.  I experienced college first-hand and I enjoyed all of the time we spent learning, exploring, and striving for goals,” IUPUI Upward Bound alumni and current student, Julie Davis said.

Student Support Services provides free services that assist students in academic, financial, and personal growth areas.  Students in Student Support Services are more than twice as likely to stay in college than students from similar backgrounds who do not participate in the program.  The McNair Scholars Program provides opportunities in research, conferences, workshops, and assistance for graduate programs.  

Senior Renia Turner said, “Upward Bound gave me the confidence to continue seeking and improving my education above and beyond what I learned from books at school.  I was challenged to evaluate my personal situation and environment and find out how I could improve it.”  

For more information, please contact Vicki Gayfield at 317-278-0644.

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