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About Us

TRIO is a set of federally-funded college opportunity programs that motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their pursuit of a college degree. More than 800,000 low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities — from sixth grade through college graduation — are served by over 3,100 programs nationally. TRIO programs provide academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial guidance, and other supports necessary for educational access and retention. TRIO programs provide direct support services for students, and relevant training for directors and staff.

Where Did TRIO Originate?

The TRIO programs were the first national college access and retention programs to address the serious social and cultural barriers to education in America. TRIO began as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. The Educational Opportunity Act of 1964 established an experimental program known as Upward Bound. Then, in 1965, the Higher Education Act created Talent Search. Finally, another program, Special Services for Disadvantaged Students (later known as Student Support Services), was launched in 1968. Together, this “trio” of federally-funded programs encouraged access to higher education for low-income students. By 1998, the TRIO programs had become a vital pipeline to opportunity, serving non-traditional students, displaced workers, and veterans. The original three programs had grown to nine, adding Educational Opportunity Centers and Veterans Upward Bound in 1972, Training Program for Federal TRIO programs in 1976, the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program in 1986, Upward Bound Math/Science in 1990, and the TRIO Dissemination Partnership in 1998.

Making Education Possible

More than 1,000 colleges, universities, community colleges, and agencies now offer TRIO Programs in America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands. TRIO funds are distributed to institutions through competitive grants.


As mandated by Congress, two-thirds of the students served must come from families with incomes at 150% or less of the federal poverty level and in which neither parent graduated from college. More than 3,100 TRIO projects currently serve close to 800,000 low-income Americans. Many programs serve students in grades six through 12. More than 7,000 students with disabilities and approximately 6,000 U.S. veterans are currently enrolled in the TRIO programs as well.


Why Are TRIO Programs Important?

The growing achievement gap in our country is detrimental to our success as a nation. There is a tremendous gap in educational attainment between America's highest and lowest income students — despite similar talents and potential. While there are numerous talented and worthy low-income students, relatively few are represented in higher education, particularly at America's more selective four-year colleges and universities.


The United States needs to boost both its academic and economic competitiveness globally. In order to foster and maintain a healthy economy as well as compete globally, the United States needs a strong, highly-educated, and competent workforce. To be on par with other nations, the country needs students, no matter their background, who are academically prepared and motivated to achieve success.

IN DEPTH OVERVIEW

The History of TRIO, Beginnings of a Movement

ANSWERING THE CALL

Celebrating 50+ Years of the Educational Opportunity Program

In 1969, during a time of racial unrest and under pressure from students, Marquette University established the Educational Opportunity Program. This documentary, produced to commemorate the program's 45th anniversary, chronicles the battle for college access for low-income, first-generation students. From its humble beginnings in Milwaukee then to its influence on a national level now, this pioneering program has changed the lives of thousands.

Executive Board

Letise Jenkins

President

Letise Jenkins is a life-long resident of Northwest Indiana and a 1996 graduate of East Chicago Central High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University (2000) and holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University (2011) and a master’s in project management from Keller Graduate School of Management (2013).


Letise is an Alumni of the TRIO: Educational Talent Search Program and a proud member of Indiana TRIO’s inaugural cohort for the MILE program. Investing in the lives of students she has worked for the Gary Community School Corporation and the TRIO department at Ivy Tech Community College Lake County as a Grant Project Specialist for Educational Talent Search and an Academic Counselor for Student Support Services. An advocate for education and student success, she is the current Director of the TRIO: Educational Talent Search program at Purdue Northwest. She works hard to motivate students to stay in school, attain academic success, and graduate from high school and college. She believes if you give students the tools, support and encouragement to accomplish their goals and achieve their dreams the sky is the limit!

Corinna Qualls

President-Elect

Corrina Qualls serves as the Director of Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math & Science programs of Purdue University Northwest campus. Growing up on the southside of Chicago, higher education did not seem accessible, however she persevered to not only graduate from high school as valedictorian but pursue and finish in 4 years a double majored degree in Sociology and Communications from Valparaiso University. She also holds a M.Ed. in Educational Administration – Higher Education from Tarleton State University.


 She is a dedicated advocate for first generation, minority, and low-income students, showing commitment through 7 years in the TRIO community with varying positions. After serving as Advisor and Academic Coordinator in Texas for Upward Bound, she returned to the Midwest to further her advancement by working as the Academic Coordinator before becoming the Assistant Director. During that time, she has served as the Indiana TRIO Student Leadership Conference-Olympiad Chair, while also serving on the Annual Conference and Student Leadership Conference committees. Not only that, but she has also presented alongside a former colleague at the conference. She hopes to continue to grow in knowledge and skills to best support the future change makers of the world.

Lisa Edwards

Past President

Lisa Edwards is the Director of TRIO Services at Ivy Tech Community College Lake County. These programs include Educational Talent Search and Student Support Services. She is a Past President for Indiana TRIO (2020) and also served on several committees in the chapter prior to her appointment. Lisa is a 2018 graduate of the Emerging Leaders Institute through the Educational Opportunity Association for the Midwest region. Prior to becoming the director, Lisa worked as the Academic Counselor in the Talent Search program for 5 years. Her other past experiences include Regional Manager of Tutoring Services at Ivy Tech NW and Director of Housing Management at the Gary Housing Authority.


Lisa is a life-long resident of Northwest Indiana. Lisa has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Indiana University. She has completed all of the coursework required for a PhD in Higher Education Leadership at Indiana State University and is currently working on her dissertation. She has a passion for helping first-generation, non-traditional, and low-income students in the community and connecting them to the tools needed for success in obtaining secondary degrees.

Terri Bennett

Treasurer

Terri Bennett Meux is a native of Gary, Indiana and a first-generation college student to low-income parents. She used academics, sports and community service as positive outlets; this resulted in being selected for the first cohort of Bonner Scholars at the prestigious DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. The Bonner Scholars Program provides a four-year scholarship that supports students working to bring about positive community change through service, research and action. She graduated in 4 yrs. with a double major in Sociology and Mathematics. Terri also holds a graduate certificate in Public Management, and a Master's degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University. 


 She has worked professionally in retail, government, and higher education with a focus on strategy, solutions and service.


 Her present role is Lead Coordinator with SSS Ivy Tech Lake County. Over the past 6 years other TRIO related roles include COI career mentor with COE, Educational Talent Search Counselor, Awards Committee member, Scholarship Committee member, and Specials Interests & Affiliations Chair.. She is a wife, boy mom, minimalist and proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.


Terri’s motto is : Empower, Educate, Serve

Demetria Pettie

Secretary

Demetria is a former social services professional who pivoted to higher education currently serving as the Assistant Director of the TRIO Student Support Services program at Purdue University Fort Wayne. She enjoys advocating and supporting marginalized student populations, such as first-generation college students, due to her own experience being the first in her family to graduate from college. Her goal is to create safe, equitable spaces for ALL students where everyone shows up as their full selves.


She was a graduate of the 2021 Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana Leadership Institute, Past President of the Career Development Professionals of Indiana board, current Secretary for the Young Professionals of the Fort Wayne Urban League board, and Committee Chair for the Indiana TRIO executive board.”


 She is a graduate of the Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana Leadership Institute, Past President of the Career Development Professionals of Indiana board, and has served as chair for the Professional Development committee since 2022.

Committees

Finance

Chair: Roxanne Gregg

agregg2@nd.edu


Membership & Certification

Chair: Corrina Qualls

quallsc@pnw.edu


Research & Evaluation

Chair: Marissa Missan

mmissan@ivytech.edu


Special Concerns & Affiliations

Chair: Terri Bennett

tbennett60@ivytech.edu


Legislation & Education

Chair: Shubitha Kever

kevers@pfw.edu


Scholarships

Co-Chairs: Chelsea Schue and Carrie Black

chelfren@iupui.edu

cscheiber1@ivytech.edu


Public Relations & Communications

Chair: Skyler Zuber

szuber3@ivytech.edu

Professional Development

Co-Chairs: Demetria Pettie and

Felicia Maholmes

dpettie@pfw.edu

fmaholme@pnw.edu


Professional Development: MILES

Chair: Lisa Edwards

ledwards64@ivytech.edu


Nominations & Elections

Chair: Lisa Edwards

ledwards64@ivytech.edu


Technology

Chair: Beth Clemens

bclemens@ivytech.edu


Annual Conference

Chair: Ronnell DuBose

rdubose@pnw.edu


Planning & Development

Chair: Nick Gray

ngray@bgcfw.org


Awards & Recognition

Chair: Bryant Williams

bryant.williams@pfw.edu

Educational Concerns 

Chair: Jorge Lopez

jorge.lopez@pnw.edu


Student Leadership Conference

Co-Chairs: Felicia Maholmes and Yani Diaz

fmaholme@pnw.edu

ydiaz@pnw.edu


Student Leadership Conference: Olympiad

Chair: Corrina Qualls

quallsc@pnw.edu


TRIO Alumni

Chair: LaTessa McClendon

lmcclendon4@ivytech.edu


COE Fair Share 

Chair: Corrina Qualls quallsc@pnw.edu


Legends & Legacy

Co-Chairs: Roxanne Gregg and Jennifer Kotter

agregg2@nd.edu

jkotter@vinu.edu

RESOURCES

Governing Documents

Check here for the latest version of Indiana TRIO's governing documents. 

Constitution & Bylaws

Policies & Procedures

Fiscal Policies & Procedures

JOIN INDIANA TRIO


BE A MEMBER OF AN ASSOCIATION THAT IS BUILT ON COMMUNITY & SERVICE TO STUDENTS

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