National TRIO Achiever Award
Celebrate the extraordinary achievements of TRIO alumni nationwide with the prestigious National TRIO Achiever Award! Join us at the Educational Opportunity Awards Dinner during the 2025 COE Annual Conference in the vibrant city of Chicago. Don’t miss this exclusive chance to honor brilliance, excellence, and the transformative power of the Federal TRIO Programs.
Celebrate the extraordinary impact of TRIO alumni
COE seeks nominations for the 2025 National TRIO Achiever Awards.
Discover the electrifying bond that unites an astronaut, a prestigious actress, a visionary college president, and a dynamic TV producer – they’ve all ascended to the pinnacle of achievement as National TRIO Achievers! Nominate a TRIO alum to join the exhilarating journey as the Council prepares to laud a fresh constellation of extraordinary luminaries during the electrifying September 2025 Annual Conference in the vibrant heart of Chicago. Don’t miss your chance to ignite the spark of greatness! The 2025 call for nominations is officially live. Be the catalyst of change and nominate the next Trailblazer right here, but hurry, the opportunity vanishes like stardust on Friday, April 4, 2025!
National TRIO Achiever Awards
Celebrating the Success of TRIO Students and the TRIO Programs
Celebrating the success of TRIO students and the TRIO programs, the Council for Opportunity in Education and members of the college access and success community are proud to honor the National TRIO Achievers. These men and women have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions and are making remarkable contributions to their community. The public recognition of TRIO alumni is an exceptional opportunity to acknowledge that TRIO makes a difference in the lives of thousands of students whose future success depends on their access to higher education. We congratulate this year’s TRIO Achievers and past award winners who continue to inspire both college access and success professionals and current students.
Trio programs
Federal TRIO Programs (Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, Veterans’ Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers, and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program) help students to overcome economic, social, academic, and cultural barriers to higher education.
faces of trio
Kel Bonton
Talent Search, COPE Inc.
Seth Fairchild
Upward Bound Math-Science, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Tameka Ellington
Upward Bound, Cuyahoga Community College
Christina Westbrook
Student Support Services, Illinois State University
Colette Yellow Robe
Student Support Services, Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Edwin C. Serrano
Upward Bound Math-Science, University of Texas at Arlington
Gabrielle A. Davis
Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Talent Search, Southern Arkansas University
Jarell Green
Student Support Services, University of Nevada, Reno
Kel Bonton
Talent Search, COPE Inc.
Seth Fairchild
Upward Bound Math-Science, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Tameka Ellington
Upward Bound, Cuyahoga Community College
Christina Westbrook
Student Support Services, Illinois State University
Colette Yellow Robe
Student Support Services, Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Edwin C. Serrano
Upward Bound Math-Science, University of Texas at Arlington
Gabrielle A. Davis
Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Talent Search, Southern Arkansas University
Jarell Green
Student Support Services, University of Nevada, Reno
Kel Bonton
Talent Search, COPE Inc.
Seth Fairchild
Upward Bound Math-Science, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Tameka Ellington
Upward Bound, Cuyahoga Community College
2023 National TRIO Achiever Awards: Honoring the Journeys and Impact of Distinguished Alumni
September 13, 2023
2022 National TRIO Achievers Tell Tales of Triumph Over Adversity
September 24, 2022
News & Impact
Latest Articles
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Press Releases
The Council for Opportunity in Education Announced 2024 National TRIO Achiever Award Recipients
August 9, 2024
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Press Releases
National First-Generation College Celebration Honors First-Generation Student and Alumni Accomplishments on November 8
October 30, 2023
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Blog
Breaking Barriers in Finance: The Impact of TRIO on Student Support Services Alumna Ashley Thomas
by Holly Hexter, Neve Dole
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Press Releases
Council for Opportunity in Education Appoints Aaron Brown as Executive Vice President
July 17, 2023
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Press Releases
The Council for Opportunity in Education Announces 2023 National TRIO Achiever Award Recipients
June 30, 2023
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Press Releases
The Council for Opportunity in Education Announced 2024 National TRIO Achiever Award Recipients
August 9, 2024
-
Press Releases
National First-Generation College Celebration Honors First-Generation Student and Alumni Accomplishments on November 8
October 30, 2023
-
Blog
Breaking Barriers in Finance: The Impact of TRIO on Student Support Services Alumna Ashley Thomas
by Holly Hexter, Neve Dole
-
Press Releases
Council for Opportunity in Education Appoints Aaron Brown as Executive Vice President
July 17, 2023
-
Press Releases
The Council for Opportunity in Education Announces 2023 National TRIO Achiever Award Recipients
June 30, 2023
Support Us
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Partner with Us
As a part of our talented alumni network, there are many ways to get involved with COE and help increase college access and success for over 875,000 students each year.
Join Us
Join COE and the National TRIO Alumni Association to engage, reconnect and network with thousands of alumni to further the success of TRIO graduates and students.