ASU students celebrate service and college access at TRIO Day

Alex Lopez is a junior studying health science at Arizona State University, and he has been a member of TRIO since his first year at ASU. TRIO helped him adjust to the college lifestyle and learn about all of the programs that were available to him.

“No matter what kind of problem you are having … you can always talk to the pro staff. They will help in any way possible. I am just amazed at how much support you get in the program,” Lopez said. 

TRIO is the first set of federal programs to address the serious social, economic and cultural barriers to higher education in the United States. Today, more than 800,000 students in nearly 3,000 programs at host institutions, both urban and rural, make higher education a reality for students who are often the first members of their family to enroll in and graduate from college.

ASU has seven federal TRIO projects. Collectively these programs receive more than $10 million in federal funding to support students who are first-generation college students, low-income, and students with a disability. TRIO programs not only support current ASU students but also hundreds of high school students and U.S. veterans living in the Greater Phoenix area.

ASU TRIO Upward Bound, implemented in March 1966, is the oldest of these programs, celebrating 54 years of advocacy, education and service with nearly 5,000 alumni. Upward Bound offerings include providing academic instruction, tutoring, academic advisement, college entrance-exam preparation, counseling, and social and personal development.

TRIO resources are still available virtually while communities are practicing social distancing.

Earlier this semester, TRIO program participants at ASU’s West, Downtown Phoenix and Tempe campuses gathered to serve their communities on TRIO Day. On Feb. 22, ASU TRIO program participants joined their peers across the U.S. in commemorating the 34th anniversary of national TRIO, reaffirming their commitment to educational equity, access and opportunity regardless of racial or economic background.

ASU Downtown Phoenix TRIO scholars participate in the national TRIO Day of service at St. Mary’s Food Bank.

TRIO at ASU’s West campus celebrated TRIO Day by volunteering at St. Mary’s Food Bank. Every year, TRIO students and staff spend a day volunteering within their community in order to celebrate the growth and positive influence of TRIO programs.  

Faith Kyaruzi is a member of TRIO and a medical studies major at ASU; she also works for TRIO as a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) tutor. Kyaruzi was introduced to the program as a first-year student and wants more students to learn about what TRIO can do for them. 

“TRIO Day is important because it is a day to celebrate and reflect on how far the organization has come since its beginnings. We celebrate the impact TRIO has made in many people’s lives and in the community,” she said.

TRIO Day participation is open to anyone in the community, including high school students and alumni.  

Lopez said he values the close-knit community TRIO provides, and TRIO Day was an opportunity to spend time getting to know other students and staff. He also shared that involvement with the TRIO program does not have to end upon graduation.   

“Even after you finish the program when you graduate, you are always welcome to come back to seek advice and share with other TRIO students your experiences.”