U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick to speak on CCC’s Lone Tree campus
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College is celebrating National TRiO Day on Saturday, Feb. 22 with keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, the college reported in a media release.
National TRiO Day is meant to focus the nation’s attention on the needs of disadvantaged young people and adults aspiring to improve their lives through higher education.
Locally, northern Arizona’s TRiO programs will celebrate the day at CCC’s Lone Tree campus, 2800 S. Lone Tree Road. The day begins at 9 a.m. with games and activities for TRiO participants. At 10:30 a.m. there will be a panel discussion with former TRiO participants. Kirkpatrick is scheduled to speak at the event at 11 a.m. After lunch, TRiO participants will disburse to various community service projects in the area.
At CCC, the federally-funded TRiO program started in 2010 and has helped more than 250 students. Since the program started at CCC, student retention rates for students who participate in the program are higher than those who don’t participate.
“We offer our students individualized academic support that will help them succeed while at CCC and beyond,” said John Henneberg, CCC TRiO Student Support Services Director.
In 1986, the United States Congress designated National TRiO Day and that the achievements of the TRiO programs should be recognized.
CCC and Northern Arizona University both have TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) Programs. SSS programs help low-income, first-generation and/or disability students begin and stay in college. Participants receive tutoring, academic advising, and remedial instruction in order to achieve their goals of college completion.
“We want Coconino County residents to know that the TRiO program works,” Henneberg said. “We also want people to know that this program should be expanded to serve more first generation students from low income families across Coconino County.”
For millions of students from low-income families who strive to be the first in their families to attend and graduate from college, seven federally funded programs called TRiO are making a world of difference. Unlike student financial aid programs which help students overcome financial barriers to higher education, the TRiO programs have been providing valuable supportive services for over 40 years to students from poor and working families to help them successfully enter and graduate college.
TRiO services include: assistance in tutoring; personal and financial counseling; career counseling; workplace and college visits; assistance in applying for financial aid; and assistance in transferring to a four year university.