UTSA TRIO Programs help students earn college degrees
(June 23, 3003)--The University of Texas at San Antonio TRIO Programs were recently awarded $3.1 million in renewed grant funding by the Department of Education. The four-year grant will help low-income and first-generation, college-bound students improve their grades and earn degrees from institutions of higher education.
Pictured (top) with TRIO students at a recent conference are Rita Cortez,
UTSA executive director of outreach programs for TRIO and Gear Up, and Edward
Prado, U.S. 5th Circuit appellate court judge, who spoke to the students.
In the lower photo, William Scouten, UTSA College of Sciences dean,
visits with TRIO students at the conference.
U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla, R-Texas, has been instrumental in securing
more than $5 million over the last decade for the TRIO programs housed at
UTSA. Bonilla, a TRIO alumnus, has visited with many of the students in the
program explaining the importance of staying in school and getting an education
so they can have successful college careers.
"I am proud to have been a force that pushed additional funding for this
worthy program," said Bonilla. "Because of the program, I was the
first in my family to graduate from college and the TRIO programs at UTSA
will make that dream a reality for many of these students."
"UTSA takes its role seriously as a leader in providing access to quality
higher education for all residents of South Texas," said Ricardo Romo,
president of The University of Texas at San Antonio. "Federal support
of these programs is crucial as we work to open doors to educational opportunity."
Nationwide, more than 823,000 students receive assistance from 2,600 TRIO
programs at 1,200 colleges, universities and community agencies.
The UTSA TRIO Programs include Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Upward Bound Math & Science. Gear Up is a recent addition to the outreach portion of the programs.
Educational Talent Search is designed to encourage students to complete high
school and enter a university, college, junior college, technical or vocational
school. The program provides academic advising to participating students in
the sixth through 12th grades. Career planning is provided enabling participants
to assess their academic options and understand what is needed to succeed
when they enter the job market.
The Upward Bound pre-college program prepares students for the rigors of college
and helps them improve skills and motivation. This year the program serves
110 students from John Jay, Oliver Wendell Holmes and Southside high schools
in the San Antonio area.
The Upward Bound Math & Science outreach-based program concentrates on
improving study skills and strengthening knowledge in math, science, computer
technology, and English and other languages. The program serves 40 students
from Del Rio, Eagle Pass, San Antonio and Uvalde.
A new part of Upward Bound is the Job Ready program which provides economically
disadvantaged youths with five weeks of volunteer service over the summer
which offers work experience and the opportunity to explore various careers.
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© The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2003