By Waz Thay, Office of Access, Equity and Achievement
PULLMAN, Wash. – An open house and competition to gather food for students in need will help Washington State University commemorate National TRiO Day. TRiO programs serve students who are first-generation, low-income, members of underrepresented groups in graduate education or who have documented disabilities.
“Hundreds of WSU students participate in TRiO programs every year,” said Lucila Loera, assistant vice president for the WSU Office for Access, Equity and Achievement. “National TRiO Day is an opportunity for us to educate our community about our programs and services, as well as highlight our successful students and alumni.”
Variety of events
WSU TRiO representatives will host an informational table 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, on the first floor of the CUB.
An open house will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, in Lighty 260X, including a reception noon-1 p.m. in the Lighty 260W conference room.
WSU TRiO staff will accept non-perishable food and gently used professional clothing donations 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, March 3-7, in Lighty 260X. The clothing bank provides free business attire for TRiO and other referred students.
High graduation rate
Student Support Services, a program within WSU TRiO, offers tutoring, individual academic and career counseling and leadership development. SSS serves roughly 160 students annually with an 82 percent six-year graduation rate in 2012-13.
“SSS students have a higher graduation rate and persistence than students from the general population,” said TRiO alumna and SSS Director Kristine Attao.
About TRiO
The U.S. Department of Education funds national TRiO programs. WSU TRiO programs receive nearly $1.5 million in annual federal grant funding.
In 1986, the U.S. Congress established National TRiO Day, which is Feb. 22 this year, to focus the nation’s attention on disadvantaged people aspiring to improve their lives and on providing the necessary investment to aid them in becoming contributing citizens.
Other programs within WSU TRiO include the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program and Upward Bound. The McNair program prepares selected WSU students for doctoral studies. Upward Bound provides academic support and encourages low-income, first-generation high school students to pursue higher education.
For more information about WSU TRiO programs, contact SSS Program Coordinator Hildegarde Velasco at 509-335-7324 or sss@wsu.edu.