TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) supports first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities in achieving their college degrees. The federal TRIO programs grew out of the Civil Rights Movement and have been serving historically excluded students since the ‘60s. TRIO SSS has been at CSUMB since 2001, and today we serve around 300 eligible students every year in SSS and SSS STEM-Health Sciences. Our mission is to support and empower participants in their academic, personal, and professional growth, by offering comprehensive services such as academic support, mentoring, career and graduate school exploration, financial literacy, social/cultural enrichment, and much more.
Over the last five years, our students have averaged:
96.2% good academic standing
94.5% persistence
77.4% 6-year graduation (FTF only)
Because we’re 100% federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education, we have strict regulations on how we can spend our funds. We cannot purchase some items that are highly important to us, such as items to recognize and celebrate graduates (including stoles, awards, and recognition event expenses). We’re launching this crowdfunding campaign to help fill this gap so that we can give our graduates the celebration and recognition they deserve.
With your donation, you can be the support we need in recognizing the many achievements and contributions of our first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities! TRIO WORKS because of our students, staff, and supporters like you.
One more round of thanks to all our amazing donors from our TRIO crowdfunding campaign - we wanted to update you all with a photo from our Senior Celebration! Here are some of our graduates showing off the beautiful (personalized) stoles that you helped to fund. We had 104 candidates for graduation this year - we're so proud to celebrate them and we're grateful for your support. Thank you again! TRIO Works!
1080 days ago by Dorris GutualHello TRIO Community-
We wrapped up our crowdfunding campaign last week, and we're thrilled to share that we SURPASSED our goal! We're blown away not only by the generosity but by all the ways this community came together to support our students. Seeing all the folks who promoted our campaign and shared their own TRIO experiences was really touching.
When we have our graduation celebrations in May, we would love to update you so you can see the newest batch of TRIO graduates that you've supported. Thank you, thank you for your generosity and care for our amazing students! TRIO WORKS because of supporters like you!
1298 days ago by Dorris Gutual
Today we celebrate the achievements and barriers overcome by our First Generation students. TRIO SSS First Gen students thrive when they are heard, seen for who they are and celebrated. Let's give a round of applause to all those we are celebrating today.
Consider donating $11.08 in honor of First Gen Day! To learn more about National First Generation College Celebration Day and the work that is being done to increase first gen student outcomes, check out the NASPA Center for First Generation Student Success.
1304 days ago by Dorris GutualWe never get tired of hearing and sharing our TRIO student stories! Check out some more testimonials from successful TRIO alums, and learn about the types of students you’re supporting when you donate to our campaign!
Daniel Olivares-Zambrano ‘19, Biology (minor in Education)
Currently working on PhD in Marine Biology at USC
“TRIO offered me the community and support to thrive at CSUMB. Being around the TRIO SSS supervisors, mentees and my peer mentor staff really brought me joy and the best out of me. This space felt like a home and I met people I can still call my friends here. I always live by giving back the level of support and community I have received. Although I'm in an elite and competitive environment like USC, I still bring my positive and supportive self every day in my lab and my department.”
Karla Alexandra Ramirez Sorto ‘21, Humanities & Communication
Categorial Services Coordinator for First Year Experience Program at Monterey Peninsula College; also oversees the MPC Undocumented Resource Center
TRIO allowed me to be myself and find the courage I needed while I was a student at CSUMB. Going in as a transfer student I felt lost, anxious, and scared to be attending a University. TRIO provided me with the support, community and confidence that I needed to help me through my undergrad experience. I felt like I had a family that I could count on. TRIO helped me feel empowered as a First Generation latina and I carry what I learned from being part of TRIO with me all the time. I try to provide that safe space for students that TRIO provided me with and it has really shown through in the connection I have been building with my cohort of students.
1306 days ago by Dorris GutualTRIO offers lots of amazing events - including workshops, social events, and trips in our local area. But some of our favorite trips are our graduate school tours and professional conferences, which let our students take their post-grad planning and skill development to the next level. These incredible experiences are in line with our goals to celebrate and promote our students’ enormous potential!
To learn more about these types of experiences, check out this video from our grad school tour in Boston. (Fun fact - four of the students in this video have since achieved their Masters!) Your donation is contributing to the success of awesome students and opportunities like these!
TRIO Works - but don’t just take our word for it! Check out these testimonials for some of our alumni to hear about how TRIO impacted and benefited them during their time at CSUMB and beyond (and follow us on social media to catch more alumni testimonials!):
Trinidad Berenice Morales, ‘22 - Social & Behavioral Sciences
Currently working on MA in Education for Postsecondary Administration & Student Affair at USC; Student Services Advisor for Trojan Athletics Student Services team
“I cannot imagine who or where I’d be without the support, encouragement, and inspiration that TRIO sparked in my life trajectory. I am more resilient, empowered, aware, confident and passionate about all my abilities, identities and potential thanks to TRIO. TRIO’s guidance and support… provided me as a first-generation, low-income and minority student an environment to explore my needs, inquiries and opportunities. TRIO heard me, saw me and believed in me when I couldn’t.”
Teresa Nieves Espinoza, ‘18 - Psychology
MA Higher Education & Students Affairs, USF ‘20; currently serving as Admissions Counselor at CSUMB
“TRIO gave me the community I needed when I entered college. As a first-generation college student, entering the world of higher education was frightening. TRIO was part of my foundation of success through my college journey and entering my profession. I pay it forward by providing a bridge of resources and support to students, parents, and communities in the same way that the TRIO community has done for me.”
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