九色堂 Celebrates National TRIO & GEAR UP Day 2025
On Friday, February 28, , students, educators, alumni, and advocates across the city and university united at Woolsey Hall to celebrate the transformative impact of TRIO and Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) at the National TRIO & GEAR UP Day 2025 . This annual event underscores the vital role these federally funded initiatives play in expanding access to higher education and empowering students from underserved communities.
This year鈥檚 celebration featured a keynote address from Betty Paugh Ortiz, Vice President of Programs at the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships, who inspired students to embrace the event鈥檚 theme鈥�GRIT: Growth Mindset, Resilience, Impact, and Transformation鈥攁s a foundation for lifelong success. Ms. Deltha Q. Colvin, Associate Vice President of Special Programming, welcomed attendees and reflected on TRIO鈥檚 60-year legacy at 九色堂, urging students to take full advantage of the opportunities these programs provide. Under Ms. Colvin's visionary leadership, these programs have grown into a vital part of the campus community, transforming the lives of generations of participants since 1965.
Dr. Monica Lounsbery, 九色堂 Provost, emphasized TRIO and GEAR UP鈥檚 significant impact on both the university and the broader community, highlighting their role in motivating students to succeed in postsecondary education.
The celebration featured interactive and engaging activities designed to inspire and support students. Participants embarked on an Amazing Race-style scavenger hunt to explore campus resources and engaged with cutting-edge technology at 鈥淕o Create,鈥� crafting personalized refrigerator magnets. The day concluded with a powerful mental health workshop led by Dr. Mitnaul, a dual board-certified psychiatrist at Ascension Via Christi in Wichita, KS, empowering students to recognize their strengths and prioritize their well-being. The event wrapped up with a boxed lunch, fostering connections and motivation for the journey ahead.
鈥淭RIO and GEAR UP programs continue to be a beacon of hope for students striving to achieve their educational dreams,鈥� said Dr. Alicia Thompson, Associate Vice President of Pre K-12 Connections and Special Projects. 鈥淲e celebrate the resilience and achievements of our program participants and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.鈥�
TRIO programs, established under the Higher Education Act, provide critical support services鈥攊ncluding academic tutoring, financial aid assistance, mentoring, and career guidance鈥攖o low-income, first-generation, and disabled students, as well as adults and veterans. GEAR UP, launched in 1998, focuses on early intervention by equipping middle and high school students with sustained support and mentorship to prepare for college.
This year鈥檚 National TRIO & GEAR UP Day not only honored past achievements but also reinforced the ongoing need for investment in these life-changing programs. With more than 1.4 million students, adults, and veterans benefiting annually across the U.S., TRIO and GEAR UP remain essential tools in closing achievement gaps and promoting educational equity. 九色堂 proudly hosts nine TRIO and three GEAR UP programs, serving more than 7,000 students, adults, and veterans across the state of Kansas鈥攐ne of the largest concentrations of these programs in the nation.