National TRIO Day celebrates support systems that turn potential into futures

When Graciella Ramirez was a high school student, she sought tutoring help from a TRIO Upward Bound program. She came away with not only help with schoolwork but "a future."

Now a Grand Valley senior majoring in biomedical sciences, Ramirez was one of three TRIO participants who shared their success stories during the National TRIO Day celebration in the Kirkhof Center.

"I remember they had all these questions about college for me, a first-generation student. And I had no idea how to answer them," said Ramirez, a student employee for the TRIO STEM program. "Eventually, they helped me with my FAFSA and helped me find and apply for scholarships.

"I was looking for help with my homework and I truly found a future for myself."

Grand Valley's 11 federally funded TRIO programs annually serve 2,400 middle and high school students, college students, veterans and community members in West Michigan and Detroit. The National TRIO Day celebration in late February reflects a 1986 congressional resolution commemorating the achievements of the country's programs.

Sheona Nidefski called TRIO Upward Bound a "helpful village" while her daughters were in high school. Nidefski herself continued a family tradition of military service and joined the U.S. Air Force. After her discharge, she worked a string of "entry-level" roles with area health care organizations, wondering what's next. 

"I watched my daughters thrive while they were in TRIO and started thinking, 'What if TRIO is my next village?'" she said.

With help from staff at the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program, Nidefski enrolled at GVSU last fall to begin a bachelor's degree program. 

Jessica Saint Amour, assistant vice president for Student Support and Belonging, said TRIO programs have opened doors for first-generation college students and others who have faced barriers to accessing higher education. Grand Valley's event, she said, helped celebrate the campus and community partners who have worked "to ensure talent is not lost due to circumstances."

TRIO programs in Detroit

Grand Valley's TRIO Upward Bound Detroit and TRIO Upward Bound Math-Science Detroit hosted the fourth annual National TRIO Day Celebration at Michigan Central and Newlab on February 19. 

Adam Harris, director of TRIO Upward Bound Detroit, said TRIO scholars participated in plenary sessions and attended breakout sessions focused on mental health, financial literacy and more. Keynote speakers included community partners and a spotlight on the Divine Nine, the fraternities and sororities founded at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

“Having the opportunity to partner with Michigan Central for National TRIO Day was truly an honor," Harris said. "To have our scholars a part of this ecosystem of tech start-ups and entrepreneurs will remind them of what is possible and help them to envision a new future for who they can be and become.”

President Philomena V. Mantella and B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and College Futures, sent video greetings to participants at the Detroit celebration. Truss said the event "honors opportunity, access and a deep belief in students."

"Relationships are at the heart of this work," Truss said. "In TRIO, students are seen, supported and empowered." 

Whitney Thomas, director of TRIO Upward Bound Math-Science, said: “National TRIO Day was an inspiring and energizing experience for our scholars, filled with reflection, growth and meaningful engagement. It was powerful to see the bright-eyed determination and genuine yearning in their spirits to become better as they learned more about themselves and their impact on the world around them.”