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The Council for Opportunity in Education Announces 2026 National TRIO Achiever Award Recipients

July 1, 2026 — by Terrance L. Hamm

These five outstanding alumni of the Federal TRIO Programs will be celebrated at the Council’s Educational Opportunity Dinner on Thursday, September 17, in San Diego.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 National TRIO Achiever Award: Edgar Corona, Ken Blair, Laura Ashley Thomas, Stefanie McLeese, and Tony Dixon. These five outstanding alumni of the Federal TRIO Programs will be recognized during the Educational Opportunity Dinner on Thursday, September 17, at the COE Annual Conference in San Diego. 

The National TRIO Achiever Award is among the highest honors bestowed by the Council for Opportunity in Education. The award recognizes alumni of the Federal TRIO Programs—including Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, Talent Search, Student Support Services, Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement, Educational Opportunity Centers, and Veterans Upward Bound—who have overcome adversity to achieve remarkable success and make significant contributions to their professions, communities, and society. 

This year’s recipients (from left) exemplify the power of educational opportunity.  

  • Edgar Corona, an alumnus of the TRIO Upward Bound program at Harvey Mudd College, is a senior marketing leader at Visa whose work has shaped global sponsorship strategies involving some of the world’s most recognized brands and events, including FIFA, the NFL, and the Olympic Games. A first-generation college graduate of Georgetown University and New York University, Corona credits TRIO with providing the mentorship, academic preparation, and professional networks that helped launch his career. 
  • Ken Blair, a former TRIO Talent Search participant at Warren County High School, Mercer University Upward Bound alumnus, and TRIO professional, currently serves as Dean of the School of Business, Cyber, and Design at Augusta Technical College. A nationally recognized higher education leader, Blair has dedicated his career to advancing student success, educational access, and community engagement. He remains deeply committed to mentoring first-generation and underserved students while serving as a civic leader in his home state of Georgia. 
  • Laura Ashley Thomas, a first-generation college graduate and former Opportunity Scholar and TRIO Student Support Services alumna at the University of South Carolina-Columbia, is a Certified Public Accountant and Global Controller at Bioventus. Throughout her distinguished career in finance and accounting, she has led global teams, strengthened financial systems, and championed opportunities for first-generation students. Thomas also played a key role in developing corporate partnerships that have expanded career opportunities and professional development pathways for TRIO students nationwide. 
  • Stefanie Santos McLeese is an award-winning communications strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of Santos McLeese LLC, a nationally certified women-owned business specializing in brand strategy, corporate communications, and executive facilitation. A first-generation college graduate and alumna of the TRIO Upward Bound program at Tarleton State University, McLeese has advised Fortune 500 companies, global brands, nonprofit organizations, and professional sports leaders. She is also a passionate advocate for elevating the visibility of TRIO alumni and expanding public awareness of the impact of educational opportunity programs. 
  • Tony Dixon, an alumnus of the Upward Bound program at Stillman College, is the Customer Management Director for PepsiCo Foods North America (PFNA), founder of the Tony Dixon Foundation, author, speaker, and former National Football League player. After becoming the first in his family to attend college and later fulfilling his dream of playing in the NFL as a safety for the Dallas Cowboys, Dixon has dedicated his career to creating opportunities for underserved youth through mentorship, leadership development, workforce readiness initiatives, and community engagement. 

“These extraordinary individuals demonstrate what is possible when talent is matched with opportunity,” said Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education. “Each of our 2026 National TRIO Achievers has transformed personal adversity into professional excellence and meaningful service to others. Their stories remind us that TRIO is a life-changing investment in human potential, and we are honored to celebrate their accomplishments and the countless students whose lives continue to be transformed through these educational opportunity programs.” 

The 2026 recipients join a distinguished roster of National TRIO Achiever Award honorees that includes Academy Award-winning actress and producer Viola Davis, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock, New York Times best-selling author Sarah Smarsh, retired NASA astronaut José Hernández, and many other leaders who have made lasting contributions to their professions and communities. The 2026 awards ceremony will be hosted by former National TRIO Achiever and ABC News Correspondent John Quiñones. 

COE will present the National TRIO Achiever Awards during the Educational Opportunity Dinner as part of its 2026 Annual Conference in San Diego. For more information about the National TRIO Achiever Award or to purchase tickets to the 2026 Educational Opportunity Dinner, please visit coenet.org. 

Media Inquiries

For media inquiries or to arrange an interview, please contact Terrance L. Hamm, associate vice-president for communications and marketing at COE via email at [email protected] or call (202) 347-7430.

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