CBC recognizes federal programs with TRiO Day celebrations

The TRiO Program hosted by Coastal Bend College will be celebrating TRiO Day on Feb. 11, 9:30 a.m. at the Beeville campus and Feb. 25, 9 a.m. at the Alice Campus.

 TRiO Day is a nationwide annual celebration that recognizes the value of the federally-funded TRiO Programs and the successes of their students. The TRiO Programs are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to help low-income families,  those of whom neither parent has graduated from college, and/or American students who are the first generation to enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America’s economic and social life. The program also provides information on pre-college opportunities. Approximately 240 students and staff members from Coastal Bend College and area high schools will participate in workshops highlighting career opportunities and other relevant student issues.

 Through TRiO, our nation is committed to providing educational opportunities for all Americans regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, age or disability. Over 2,800 TRiO Programs currently serve nearly 850,000 Americans. Thirty-seven percent of TRiO students are White, 35 percent are African-American, 19 percent are Hispanic, 4 percent are Native American, 4 percent are Asian and 1 percent of participants nationwide is listed as “Other,” including multiracial students. More than 7,000 students with disabilities and approximately 6,000 U.S. veterans are currently enrolled in TRiO programs as well.

 TRiO programs have been in existence at Coastal Bend College since the mid-1970s. The three programs housed at Coastal Bend College are two Educational Talent Search Programs (Beeville and Alice); two Upward Bound Programs (Beeville) and a Student Support Service Program (Beeville).

 The Educational Talent Search Program, with an annual award of $306,752, serves 750 students in grades six through twelve. Participating middle and high school students attend schools in Beeville, George West, Karnes City, Kenedy, Mathis, Odem, Pettus, Refugio, Runge, Skidmore, Taft and Three Rivers. The CBC Educational Talent Search Program in Alice, with an annual award of $226,000, serves 625 high school students. Participating students are from Alice, Orange Grove, San Diego, Benavides, Freer, Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco, Falfurrias and Premont High Schools. In addition to counseling, participants receive information about college admissions requirements, scholarships and various student financial aid programs. This early intervention program helps students to better understand their educational opportunities and options. There are over 360,000 participants enrolled in 778 Educational Talent Search TRiO Programs around the country.

Upward Bound, with an annual award of $383,533, helps 75 high school students in grades nine through 12 to prepare for higher education. Participating students are in Beeville, Mathis, Odem, Pettus and Skidmore middle and high schools. The Upward Bound G.O.S.T. Program, with an annual award of $250,000, serves 50 students in grades nine through 12. Participants come from George West, Odem, Sinton and Taft schools. Participants receive instruction in composition and literature, mathematics and science on college campuses after school, on Saturdays, and during the summer.  Upward Bound students are four times more likely to graduate from college than those students who do not participate in this program. Currently 964 programs are in operation throughout the United States.

 Student Support Services receives an annual award of $290,517. The program provides services to 215 students at Coastal Bend College. Students receive encouragement and assistance with staying in school and eventually earning baccalaureate degrees. Participants receive tutoring, counseling, remedial instruction and numerous other services. Students are now being served at over 1,084 colleges and universities nationwide.  

 An estimated two million TRiO students have graduated from college nationwide since the program’s inception. Students who receive a full range of TRiO services (counseling, special courses and tutoring) are twice as likely to be retained and continue their post-secondary education.

 TRiO Student Support Services participants have a 22 percent greater chance of entering their third year of college than similar students without the benefit of TRiO.

 Coastal Bend College TRiO staff include Velma Elizalde, Dean of Student Services; Jeri Morton, Student Support Services Project Director; Kayla Devora-Jones, SSS Counselor; Sylvia Lopez, SSS Secretary; Cheryl Gallagher, Upward Bound Project Director; Keri DuBose, UB Counselor; Janice Fernandez, UB Secretary; Heather Anderson, UB G.O.S.T  Project Director; April Zapata, UB G.O.S.T Academic Advisor; Dina Villegas, UB G.O.S.T Secretary; Lupe Ganceres, Educational Talent Search Project Director (Beeville Campus); Renee Brown ETS Counselor; Belinda Munoz, ETS Counselor; Mary Alice Rivera, ETS Tutor Coordinator/Secretary; Josie Schuenemann, Educational Talent Search Project Director (Alice Campus); Julie Enriques, ETS Counselor; Dee Dee Arismendez, ETS Tutor Coordinator/Secretary.

 For more information on the TRiO Programs, call:

 Educational Talent Search Program (CBC Beeville Campus):  (361) 354-2706

Educational Talent Search Program (CBC Alice Campus): (361) 664-3081

Upward Bound Program (CBC Beeville Campus): (361) 354-2715

Upward Bound G.O.S.T Program (CBC Beeville Campus): (361)354-2746

Student Support Services (CBC Beeville Campus): (361)354-2718

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