The History of Federal TRIO Programs

The history of TRiO is progressive. It began with Upward Bound, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to the governmental War on Poverty. Its purpose is to help expand opportunities for the increasing number of low-income individuals wanting to pursue a college degree. In 1965, Educational Talent Search, the second outreach program, was created as part of the Higher Education Act. Similar to Upward Bound, Talent Search was structured to serve a larger population of students. In 1968, Student Support Services, which was originally known as Special Services for Disadvantaged Students, was authorized by the Higher Education Amendments. It became the third in a series of educational opportunity programs as a means to provide educational services to students at the post-secondary level. By the late 1960's, the name TRiO, a set of three programs was coined. It provided comprehensive educational and support services targeted at helping students enter college and obtain a baccalaureate degree.

TRiO continued to grow, keeping its name, but over the years, the TRiO Programs have expanded to six programs and have improved to provide a wider range of services to more students who need the assistance: Educational Opportunity Centers (1972), Training Program for Federal TRiO Programs (1976), and Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (1986). EOC helps TRiO expand its clientele to adults, while the McNair program works with those students interested in graduate school. The legislative requirements for all TRIO programs can be found in the Higher Education Act of 1965, Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2.

The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi TRiO Programs provide information on academic and financial aid opportunities. They are designed to identify students with academic potential and prepare them to do college level work (Upward Bound Program), and provide tutoring and support services once they reach campus (Student Support Services). All programs ensure college retention and graduation. These services mirror the mission statement of our University; which is "to identify, recruit and retain students who have high potential for academic success, especially those from groups who historically have been under-represented in higher education."

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has sponsored TRiO since 1999 and currently under the leadership of Dr. Veronica Guerra, Director of Title V/TRiO. The TAMUCC TRiO Programs are located in two locations on the TAMUCC campus. The Upward Bound Program is located at the Modular Building, Room 120, and the Student Support Services can be found on the 3^rd floor of the University Center. Our programs operate under the Office of the Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs. This office fosters initiatives and are intended to revitalize education for disadvantaged youth. Additionally, relationships with parents, local school districts, and various community agencies have allowed us to expand our range of services to participants. We are striving to give new meaning to TRIO in this new millennium by Turning Restrictions Into Opportunities.

Why Do We Need TRiO Programs?

Why Do TRiO Programs Work?

What Distinguishes TRiO Programs?

Upward Alumni from TAMUCC

2001 - First Group to Graduate from the Program

2002 - Second Group to Graduate from the Program

2003 - Last Group to Graduate from First Funding Cycle

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