Incoming ASU first-year and long-time TRIO student is a shining example of perseverance and growth

Juan Bravo is both an example of what a community can do for someone, and what someone can do for their community. 

Having graduated from Alhambra High School in 2025, Bravo was a member of Arizona State University’s TRIO Upward Bound. TRIO is a set of federally funded programs aimed at helping low-income individuals, first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities achieve their goals in higher education. Upward Bound focuses on students in high school, providing them the support and resources they need to grow into a college-bound student. 

“I heard about TRIO in my first year during health class,” Bravo said. “Staff came in, gave a presentation and handed out flyers. I wasn’t planning on joining — it was summer school, and I didn’t want to give up my break. But my mom encouraged me, and I’m so thankful she did. Those summers and Saturdays turned into some of the best memories I’ve ever made.”

TRIO is much more than just extracurricular activities and learning opportunities, especially for students like Bravo. It is a place where impactful connections can be made that help inspire and support students to continue on their educational journey. 

“TRIO gave me lifelong friendships,” Bravo explained. “Shoutout to Samuel Anaya and Cesar Martinez — my suite mates during my first summer and some of my closest friends to this day. Their friendship made the experience that much better.”

These connections don’t stop at friends. TRIO’s dedicated team of staff and counselors go above and beyond to make sure TRIO students know they are supported holistically in bettering their future.  

“I want to give a heartfelt thank you to the TRIO staff who guided me along the way — past and present,” Bravo said. “Teresa Gonzales, Marlene Ortega, Abigail Gámez, Jade Tellez and Antonio Ruiz Melendez: thank you for believing in me and helping shape who I am today.”

Bravo’s overall gratitude toward those who supported him throughout TRIO shows just how impactful programs like this can be to developing students such as himself. And that’s just where it starts. 

“For students like me — first-generation, Latino, from a diverse background — TRIO is a game-changer,” Bravo said. “It shows us that we can achieve greatness, even when the world doubts us. It gives us the tools, the experience and most importantly, the belief that we belong in those college classrooms and on those graduation stages.”

For communities that are underrepresented in higher education, programs like TRIO can help level the playing field. It also provides the individual student direct support and a confidence boost that they might not get in a regular classroom.

“TRIO helped me stay academically focused,” Bravo said. “The tutoring, Saturday sessions and summer programs kept me sharp, even during breaks. They taught me time management, balance and how to approach school with purpose. That discipline has already set me up for success.”

While TRIO’s comprehensive academic support system may be a large sell for parents looking into this program, for many students, the most exciting thing is the hands-on learning process that comes with it. 

“TRIO isn’t just about academics,” Bravo explained. “They gave us real opportunities — college visits, community service, and trips to places like Flagstaff and Tucson. Every Friday in the summer meant a new adventure. These experiences opened my eyes to what college life could be like and helped build my resume with real-world skills and community involvement.”

TRIO’s holistic support system helps provide students with well-rounded educational opportunities that reignite their passion for learning. For passionate students like Bravo, it can be a clear demonstration of the level of commitment necessary for continued success in higher education as well as the positive impact that committed work can cultivate. 

“Was it always easy? No,” said Bravo. “Some days were exhausting, and not every class or teacher was my favorite. But I treated it like my responsibility—just like school—and I kept showing up. And I’m glad I did.”

Bravo’s dedication and the support he received through TRIO helped inspire him to move forward reflecting that support into the community around him. 

“I’m deeply interested in studying positive psychology and developmental psychology. Although I’m still exploring exactly where I want my degree to take me, I know I’m drawn to the field of social work — especially working with high school students from the Latinx community.” 

“Why them?” Bravo continued. “Because I’ve lived it. I know the unique pressures that come from growing up in a Latino household — and beyond that, I know life itself can be overwhelming. I want to help guide the next generation through that stress, helping them learn how to cope in healthy ways and find positivity and joy in life, even when it’s hard to see.”

Bravo has a few words of advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps.

“Just do it,” Bravo said. “For me, finishing high school wasn’t just about personal success. It was about honoring everything my mom sacrificed for me and paving the way for my younger sister to have a brighter future.” 

“To any student considering TRIO: Do it,” Bravo continued. “I know it can be scary at first—it was for me. It was a new environment, especially in a post-COVID world. But joining TRiO turned out to be one of the best decisions of my high school life. The people you meet might become your lifelong friends, and the staff is full of caring, knowledgeable people who genuinely want to help.”

“You don’t have to do it alone.”

Photo by Tim Trumble Photography