Cal U Celebrates National TRIO Day

Mar 05, 2021

The federally funded program at Cal U serves students in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.

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TRIO Upward Bound alum Fred Clark meets with nearly 60 Upward Bound participants on Zoom.

Students and graduates from the TRIO Upward Bound Fayette and Monongahela Projects participated in the 2021 National TRIO Day of Service to learn the history and significance of the TRIO programs in the region. 

The event was held virtually on Feb. 27. 

The federally funded TRIO Upward Bound program at Cal U helps to prepare eligible students for success in postsecondary education. It serves more than 160 students from nine high schools in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties. 

TRIO services include: assistance in choosing a college; tutoring; personal and financial counseling; career counseling; assistance in applying to college; workplace and college visits; special instruction in reading, writing, study skills, and mathematics; assistance in applying for financial aid; and academic support in high school or assistance to re-enter high school. 

More than than 1,000 colleges, universities, and community agencies host more than 2,800 TRIO projects that serve more than 800,000 young people and adults. TRIO serves students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. 

 “I am a first-generation college student, and there was no one I could look towards for guidance,” said Kaylyn Smith, a senior for Waynesburg Central High School. “Having people to tell me what to expect and prepare me for all the things leading up to being accepted into college was priceless.” 

On Feb. 27, students heard from U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler and TRIO Upward Bound alumnus Fred Clark, who was in the Upward Bound Program during his time at Jefferson-Morgan High School. He also worked for the program as an after-school and summer residential tutor.