WSU campuses to celebrate National TRIO Day

A career fair, brunch, and several open houses are among events planned across the Washington State University system in celebration of National TRIO Day.

TRIO programs are federally funded outreach and student support programs designed to assist low-income students, first-generation students, veterans, and students with disabilities. WSU has 19 TRIO programs across four campuses that serve over 2,535 students each year and have a combined annual budget of over $5.5 million. The programs include Student Support Services (SSS), Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math Science, and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program.

TRIO has served students across the country for 61 years, and at WSU for 27 years. In recognition of its long history, Feb. 28 has been designated National TRIO Day. WSU's celebration will span multiple days.

"WSU has a lot to be proud of in terms of having a large number of TRIO programs that meaningfully contribute to our land-grant mission," said Lucila Loera, executive director of the Office for Access and Opportunity on the Pullman campus. "These events are designed to bring the community together and create space for conversations about TRIO's impact on students and the support they need moving forward."

'We are important, we belong'

Carola Garcia Mendez, a senior at WSU Tri-Citiesand a participant in the TRIO STEM SSS Program, said it means a lot to her that WSU is shining a bright light on TRIO and its students.

"These events help make us feel like we are important to the university and that we do belong in higher education," Garcia Mendez said.

As the oldest of five children, she often shuttled her siblings to school while her parents worked in the apple and cherry orchards. They instilled in her the importance of getting an education so she can have a more stable and comfortable life.

She did not know how that would manifest itself until one day a calf on her uncle's ranch got trampled by other cows breaking her two front legs. Her family did not have the resources to get the help of a veterinarian, so they made leg braces out of PVC pipe and padding. Much to Garcia Mendez' relief, the make-shift remedy worked, and the calf eventually healed.

"That was an eye-opening experience, and I knew then I wanted to become a veterinarian and help families that can't afford to get good care for their animals," she said.

With clear direction and ample motivation, Garcia Mendez enrolled at WSU Tri-Citiesand excelled in her classes. But it wasn't until she joined TRIO that she really felt at home on campus.

"TRIO is where I met other students that share similar backgrounds and drive to be successful as me," she said. "And my advisor is always encouraging me, guiding me, and telling me I can do whatever I set my mind to."

Garcia Mendez has been accepted into WSU's Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program.

The director of TRIO Student Support Services at WSU Tri-Cities, Alondra Castañeda, said National TRIO Day is an opportunity to recognize the hard work and celebrate the accomplishments Garcia Mendez and other TRIO students are making.

"TRIO students are driven scholars, engaging with real-world problems, and preparing themselves to make a lasting impact in their fields and communities," said Castañeda.