Trio Programs
The TRiO programs are federally funded through the U.S. Department of Education and implemented at higher education institutions, non-profits and other agencies through the competitive grant process and are designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged/underrepresented backgrounds. The programs serve and assist low-income, first-generation college students, individuals with disabilities, and Veterans to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs.
President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty Economic Opportunity Act of 1964” authorized the first program titled “Upward Bound Program.” “The second program “Educational Talent Search” was created under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and the third program “Student Support Services,” was authorized by the Higher Education Act amendments, enhance the name TRiO! The TRiO Programs were expanded to provide a wider range of services to reach more students needing assistance. Programs added were: Upward Bound Math/Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Program and Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) and the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools, (CCAMPIS) program.
Virginia State University, (VSU) is home to three TRiO pre-college programs to include the Educational Opportunity Centers, (EOC), Educational Talent Search, (ETS), Upward Bound Program, and two college level programs, Student Support Services, (SSS) and Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools, (CCAMPIS). The VSU Upward Bound Program was funded in 1968 and is one of the nations oldest programs.
Precollege Programs
- Educational Opportunity Centers, (EOC)
- Educational Talent Search, (ETS)
- Upward Bound Program
College Program
- Student Support Services, (SSS)
Staff
Gertrude Taylor, M. Ed.
Director
gtaylor@vsu.edu
Rahmat Utsey
Office Manager