Loyola University New Orleans Celebrates 40th Annual National TRIO Day, Honoring Student Achievement and Educational Opportunity

New Orleans, LA - March 18, 2026 - Loyola University New Orleans joined colleges and universities across the United States in celebrating the 40th annual National TRIO Day recognizing the transformative impact of the Federal TRIO Programs and honoring the achievements of first-generation, income-eligible students, students with disabilities, and veterans pursuing higher education.

Established by Congress in 1986, National TRIO Day encourages communities to focus on educational access, academic persistence, and the power of college opportunity to change lives. It also highlights the history and mission of the Federal TRIO Programs, first established through the landmark Higher Education Act to remove barriers to postsecondary success. As part of Loyola's celebration, TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) hosted a series of events throughout the week designed to spotlight student success, career readiness, wellness, and first generation pride.

Events included:

• Career Day with the New Orleans Pelicans, where students gained exposure to career pathways in professional sports organizations, strengthened career readiness skills, and networked with industry professionals.
  

• A TRIO Information Session and Recruitment Event to increase awareness, expand access, and invite eligible students to join a supportive community dedicated to academic excellence and persistence.
  

• Wellness Wednesday (recurring event): Meditation & Reset at the Green House on campus, offering students a guided space for reflection, stress reduction, and holistic well-being.
  

• First Gen Fridays (recurring event): Social Media Campaign, where first-generation students share their college journeys, challenges, resilience strategies, and advice with the broader campus community.

"TRIO students are resilient, problem-solvers, and future leaders," said Monica Curtis, Director for Student Support Services. "National TRIO Day is our opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments, acknowledge their hard work, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every student has the support and resources to achieve their academic and career goals."

"For forty years, National TRIO Day has served as a powerful reminder that talent is universal, but opportunity is not," said Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE). "This milestone year honors the millions of students and alumni who have turned their dreams into degrees, careers, and lifelong contributions to their communities. As we celebrate this anniversary, we recommit ourselves to protecting and strengthening TRIO so future generations can continue to thrive."

Loyola currently serves more than 230 TRIO students annually through Upward Bound and Student Support Services. TRIO programs provide academic guidance, tutoring, advising, mentoring, college readiness services, financial aid support, and career development opportunities for eligible students. Nationally, TRIO serves more than 800,000 individuals each year, including middle school, high school and college students, adult learners, and veterans.

For more information about Loyola's TRIO services on campus, please contact Monica Curtis at [email protected].