October 10, 2024
(Editorial)
If you have walked through or around Dinkins, you have probably passed or seen an office with a sign that reads “TRiO.” It’s not hard to miss with the bright yellow background and big letters, and the fact that the door is always open. But, TRiO is much more than that.
While getting to know the advisors, administrators, and other TRiO students, it becomes clear that TRiO is there for you, in a different way than Winthrop itself.
You become a family with TRiO. The program works to encourage not just your schooling but also your career.
Winthrop Alumni Ms. Janell Stevens, the Assistant Director of TRiO and one of the teachers for TRiO ACAD, shared some words about what exactly TRiO is.
“TRiO is a federally funded academic support program by the Department of Education that helps first-generation students, students that meet income guidelines, and students that have a documented disability, that give them the necessary tools for learning and help them to eventually graduate from a four-year institution,” said Ms. Stevens.
She continued, “ The heart and soul of our program is one-on-one counseling, getting to know the student: their story, hobbies, interests in general, on-campus interests. TRiO provides help for developing and fostering leadership counseling skills, peer tutoring, and cultural events.”
“We’re the moms, aunties, and big sisters for the people whose family are far away or maybe they don’t have here.”
When asked what she hoped to accomplish with her students in TRiO, Ms. Stevens said, “I want them to be successful in their classes, get good grades, and become a great member of society, to get the career they want without struggling.”
When it came to her job as the Assistant Director of TRiO, Stevens said, “It’s a very rewarding job, I like building relationships with the students, I like chatting, and gaining trust with the students.”
Brandon Proper, a TRiO student and former Orientation Leader for TRiO, answered some questions about his experience.
When asked to describe his time with TRiO, Proper said, “TRiO has given me opportunities to be a leader and explore opportunities in my development. I have been able to go outside my comfort zone in TRiO and explore what it means to branch out and talk to people, which has really helped me in developing my voice.”
“TRiO was able to help me adjust to college life much easier than Winthrop did. Thanks to CONNECT and the wonderful staff, I was able to find friends and find people I could connect with and ease my nerves about college.”
When it came to what Proper loved most about TRiO, he said, “What I love about TRiO is that people are the opportunities I can receive. I love being asked to work at the tabling events TRiO has and being an orientation counselor. Opportunities like that help my personal growth and give [me] the opportunity to develop the skills I need for my future career.”
Naziah Foster, another student who was an Orientation Leader for TRiO, was asked about her experience with TRiO.
“I can describe my TRiO experience as eye-opening and a necessity. Since I joined the TRiO in my sophomore year, I gained help with my studies, scheduling for class, and had opportunities to spread my knowledge to incoming students.”
When asked what TRiO has helped her accomplish, Foster said, “TRiO has helped me stay on top of my studies with the help of my advisor and tutoring that they provide. They were able to help me with school papers and provided goals for the semester that the organizations helped me achieve. If I was not in TRiO I think I would have a harder time with both my studies and my goals.”
It is clear that the TRiO program puts a lot of effort into education, outreach, and career planning for students.
“TRiO has helped me plan for my future by teaching me work ethics, responsibility in my studies and home life, and while being involved in the community. I was able to have the opportunity to work as an Orientation leader so they were able to teach me leadership skills and communication skills which are needed for the workforce.”
Hearing the perspectives of upperclassmen Proper and Foster gives an insightful look into what it’s like to be a TRiO student and the resources they have access to.
Having these resources is important for students who come from backgrounds where they are not readily available. Students deserve these resources and a future, especially an educated one.
