CBC Beeville hosts annual TRiO Day Celebration

Headline: CBC Beeville hosts annual TRiO Day Celebration 

Sub headline: Eric M. Walker named 2015 TRiO Achiever of the Year

The Coastal Bend College (CBC) Beeville campus TRiO Programs hosted their annual TRiO Day celebration on Friday, February 27, 2015. Those who were in attendance participated in a CBC College Fair, which showcased all of the programs that CBC has to offer, and also experienced an uplifting performance from the Positive Force Tour by motivational speaker Dr. Patsy Torres.

Each year CBC Beeville TRiO Programs recognize one outstanding individual to receive the honor of TRiO Achiever of the Year. This honor is given to a former TRiO student who has successfully graduated from college and is now a productive member of their community.

The 2015 TRiO Achiever of the Year is Eric M. Walker, a former TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) student from 2004-2006.  Walker is currently employed as a math tutor for CBC’s Student Success Center and the TRiO SSS program. He attended CBC and later went on to transfer to Texas A&M – Kingsville where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Walker plans to attend graduate school where he will begin pursuing a master’s degree in mathematics. Upon completion of the program he plans on becoming a mathematics instructor for a college or university.

“I am grateful for TRiO SSS because they helped pave the way for my college success,” said Walker. “Without TRiO I wouldn’t have been able to attend my dream college or afford furthering my college education. TRiO SSS is more than a program— they are a community that will do whatever it takes to get you to succeed during and after college.”

The CBC TRiO Programs also recognized students who continue to exhibit commitment and enthusiasm for the program. Each of these students continue to meet all of the requirements that are required of them including participating in cultural enrichment activities, meeting with their program advisors and exceling in their coursework.

Educational Talent Search (ETS) provides services to 671 high school students in grades nine through 12.  This program is geared toward providing high school students with the tools that are necessary for beginning their higher education journey.

Students who were honored with the Outstanding TRiO Participant Award for ETS include Esperanza Martinez from Kenedy High School, Ramirez Flores from Runge High School, Destiny Gutierrez from Skidmore-Tynan High School and Anissa Alvarez from Three Rivers High School.

Upward Bound (UB) and Upward Bound G.O.S.T.  currently assist 135 high school students in grades nine through 12. This program provides high school students with the support and opportunities they will need in order to be successful in their pursuit of a higher education.

Students who were awarded the Outstanding TRiO Participant Award for the UB and UB G.O.S.T program include Araceli Medrano from Mathis High School, Jerald Cisneros from A. C. Jones High School, Oscar Castillo from Odem High School and Alejandro Lopez Jr. from Odem High School.

SSS currently serves 204 CBC students. This program provides students with knowledge and exposure to the variety of options that they will be able to take advantage of upon completion of their associate’s degree or certificate program. SSS also encourages participants to continue on with their higher education journey by completing undergraduate (bachelor degree) programs in their field of study.

Students who were honored with the Outstanding TRiO SSS Participant Award include CBC Beeville’s Shan Liu and Jared Landreth.

For more information about the TRiO programs that are offered at CBC please visit, www.coastalbend.edu/TRiO/. If you would like to speak with one of the four programs directly please contact the ETS office via phone at (361) 354-2706, the U.B. office via phone at (361) 354-2715, the U.B. G.O.S.T. office via phone at (361) 354-2746, or the SSS office via phone at (361) 354-2722.