In her opening speech at COE’s 43rd annual Policy Seminar, President Kimberly Jones ignited a spirit of both advocacy and reflection among conference participants.
She began by emphasizing the historical significance of the Policy Seminar, tracing its roots back to COE’s inception in 1981 when TRIO educators first took to Capitol Hill to advocate for TRIO programs.
President Jones passionately declared, “TRIO programs would not exist but for the advocacy efforts and personal sacrifices made by educators like yourselves, year after year.” She underscored the triumphant journey of TRIO, starting as an experimental demonstration project during President Johnson’s War on Poverty in 1964.
Reflecting on the lessons learned over 60 years of TRIO, President Jones emphasized the importance of unity across racial and geographical lines in advocating for low-income, first-generation college students. She declared, “TRIO programs and the TRIO coalition are multi-racial networks unified by the principle of access and support for low-income, potential first-generation college graduates.”
She underscored TRIO’s significant impact in coining the term “first-generation college student” during the 1980 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. “While many today might wave the first-generation flag, it was the TRIO community that introduced this concept into the higher education lexicon,” President Jones stated emphatically as the audience of over 600 college access and success professionals erupted with pride.
President Jones also highlighted TRIO’s bipartisan support, noting that its longevity cannot be tied to one person or party. “Politics is like the weather – and the only thing you can count on is the fact that it WILL change,” she remarked. She cited instances where legislators from diverse political backgrounds supported TRIO, showcasing the program’s ability to transcend partisan divides.
To close, President Jones addressed the funding needs of TRIO programs, advocating for a $68 million increase for FY25 to support program expansion and inflationary adjustments. She stated firmly, “We are asking for a $68 million increase for TRIO for FY25, which will fund our work in Program Year 2025-2026.”
President Jones rallied attendees to continue advocating for TRIO’s mission throughout the year, emphasizing that the Policy Seminar was just the beginning of a sustained effort to create change. She concluded, “We will be beating this drum throughout the rest of 2024.”
To an audience erupting with applause, President Jones effectively exemplified her organization’s commitment to advocacy and collaboration in advancing the goals of the Federal TRIO Programs.