National TRIO Day 2022 Celebration
The History of National TRIO Day
On February 24, 1986, the 99th Congress of the United States, declared a resolution that Saturday, February 28, 1986, would be appointed National TRIO Day. In an act of bipartisanship, this resolution went forward with 221 cosponsors. Every year since, the fourth Saturday of February has served as National TRIO Day.
TRIO was the first set of Federal programs that began to address social and economic barriers to higher education in the United States. These programs grew from the understanding that low-income, first generation students need tremendous help to overcome systematic obstacles to education. Today there are more than 800,000 students in nearly 3,000 programs at host institutions. TRIO Day celebrates the achievements of those programs in communities across the country.
Celebrating National TRIO Day is an opportunity to recognize the needs of disadvantaged young people and adults who are working to improve their lives and the lives of those in their communities. It is the chance to honor their hard work and renew our commitment to investing in those disadvantaged communities. We are proud to be able to work alongside our incredible TRIO Eagles to improve their path and help them tap into their own potential. This year we are celebrating with events all week long to highlight the wonderful work of our TRIO scholars here at Georgia Southern University Armstrong Campus.
A Week of Events
TRIO Student Support Services counted down to National TRIO Day with a week of events, each designed with an opportunity for engagement. We spent the first few days of the week in virtual events created with our non-traditional students in mind. The second half of the week was filled with our alumni segment TRIO WORKS: Lunch & Learn with Alumni , TRIO Open House, and a wonderful TRIO Blue Table Talk between TRIO Scholars and special guest, Georgia Representative Carl Gilliard. Having a variety of engagement options helps us reach the diverse group of scholars we’re here to serve, and we are so grateful for those who helped us celebrate our wonderful TRIO Program!
TRIO WORKS: Alumni Lunch & Learn
This event allow TRIO Scholars to hear from a panel of TRIO alumni who are a testament to how TRIO can positively impact the lives of students and help them achieve their goal of obtaining and bachelors degree. We were proud to host TRIO Alum: Demetrius Hurst, Kimberly Brown, and Stephen Stubbs who embody our favorite phrase, “TRIO Works!”
TRIO Blue Table Talk
TRIO Blue Table Talk allowed TRIO Scholars to sit with a local state representative and discuss issues like access and representation of underrepresented groups in higher education. We were honored to have Georgia House Representative Carl Gilliard of the 162 District with us. Representative Gilliard encouraged our scholars to keep P.U.S.H.ing and creating change for themselves and others.
The BIG Day: National TRIO Day 2022
On Saturday, our scholars joined Director Corine Ackerson-Jones and Academic Success Coach Dr. Julia Flanigan volunteering in the local community with service projects at Habitat for Humanity’s Restore and America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, because we believe that there is no better way to celebrate what TRIO has given us than by giving back!
In partnership with Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, TRIO helped to provide 547 meals for those in need!
Last updated: 3/10/2022