United to Lead: From Mission to Movement
A new Congress has arrived in Washington, bringing more than 100 new lawmakers, a new majority, and a new legislative agenda.
In January 2027, the 120th Session of Congress will begin, bringing more than 100 new lawmakers, a new majority, and a new legislative agenda. With Democrats controlling Congress and the Trump Administration continuing to shape federal education policy, the stakes for Federal TRIO Programs remain extraordinarily high. New leadership brings new opportunities—and it’s our responsibility to sustain the strong bipartisan commitment to TRIO. As lawmakers debate competing demands, set spending priorities, and chart the nation’s future, we must ensure that protecting and strengthening TRIO remains a top congressional priority.
That’s why the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) is calling on all TRIO professionals, students, alumni, and advocates from across the country to unite in Washington, D.C., under the theme “United to Lead: From Mission to Movement.” This is our moment to turn a shared commitment into collective action. This year’s Policy Seminar includes our National College Opportunity Programs Leadership Summit, our inaugural TRIO Compliance and Best Practices Forum, and our Legislative Conference.
- Download the paper registration form here.
Overview
Every year, TRIO professionals from across the country gather in Washington, D.C., to ensure low-income and first-generation students remain at the center of our nation’s higher education priorities.
Agenda
Tentative Leadership Summit Agenda
- 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.: Opening Plenary: From Mission to Movement
- 10:30 – 10:50 a.m.: Tools You Can Use: Bringing People In
- 10:50 – 11:05 a.m.: Break
- 11:05 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Leadership
Exchange: Collaborative Working Session - 12:00 – 12:20 p.m.: Tools You Can Use:
Strengthening Our Base - 12:20 – 1:40 p.m.: Lunch and Engagement
- 1:40 – 2:40 p.m.: Concurrent Sessions:
Building Skills That Move Us Forward - 2:40 – 2:55 p.m.: Break
- 2:55 – 3:15 p.m.: Tools You Can Use:
Expanding Our Support - 3:15 – 4:00 p.m.: Leadership in Action:
Collaborative Working Session - 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.: Break
- 4:15 – 4:35 p.m.: Tools You Can Use:
Turning Voice into Influence - 4:35 – 5:00 p.m.: Closing Plenary: United to
Lead
NEW! TRIO Compliance and Best
Practices Forum tentative agenda
- 9:00–9:45 a.m.: Understanding the U.S.
Department of Education: Lessons From the
Past, Insights for the Future - 10:00–11:15 a.m.: Breakout Sessions:
Strengthening Program Success - 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.: Networking Lunch:
Raising TRIO’s Visibility Through Data,
Partnerships, and Advocacy - 1:30–2:45 p.m.: Breakout Sessions: From
Planning to Impact - 3:00–4:15 p.m.: Bringing It All Together:
Sustaining Momentum and Turning Insights
Into Action - 4:30–5:30 p.m.: Looking Ahead: Outlook
for the 2027 TRIO Grant Competitions
Tentative Legislative Conference agenda
- 6:30–7:30 p.m.: Legislative Conference Opening Session: “United
to Lead: From Mission to Movement” - 7:45–8:30 p.m.: Orientation for Hill Team Leaders
Tentative Legislative Conference agenda
- 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.: Registration
- 9:00–10:00 a.m.: Congressional Staff Panel
- 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Advocacy Skills Development (Interactive)
- 12:00–2:00 p.m.: Lunch on Your Own
- 2:00–3:00 p.m.: Member of Congress Address
- 3:00–4:00 p.m.: Capitol Hill Talking Points Overview
- 4:00–4:15 p.m.: Break
- 4:15–5:30 p.m.: State Team Meetings
Tentative Legislative Conference agenda
- 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.: Congressional Visits
- 6:30–7:15 p.m.: Closing Plenary
Accommodations
Capital Hilton
1001 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(800) 774-1500
For Policy Seminar 2027, we are proud to announce our host hotel: the iconic Capital Hilton, located at 1001 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 — just blocks from the White House and moments from Capitol Hill. This historic property places you in the heart of the nation’s capital, surrounded by landmarks, dining, transit, and history. Reserve your room here.
Additional Info
All congressional meetings will be held in person on Capitol Hill. If you have any questions, please contact Peter Mills at [email protected] or Christian Bell at [email protected].
Pricing
Early Bird Registration Monday, Nov. 9 – Friday, Jan. 15 | TRIO Forum + Legislative Conference | TRIO Forum ONLY | Legislative Conference ONLY |
|---|---|---|---|
Members | $735 | $635 | $450 |
Non-Members | $885 | $855 | $450 |
TRIO Alumni* | $250 | ||
Retiree | $250 |
Registration Instructions and Deadlines
For individuals participating in the Policy Seminar, online registration at coenet.org is strongly encouraged. Online registrants will receive an immediate receipt.
All registrations not completed online must include a credit card payment, check, or purchase order to be accepted. The registration fees include all conference sessions and materials. The cost for the TRIO Compliance and Best Practices Forum includes coffee and rolls in the morning, plus a luncheon. The price for the Leadership Summit includes lunch.
Special Discounts
Newcomer Discount: If you attended last year’s Legislative Conference and plan to bring a newcomer this year, the newcomer can register for the Legislative Conference for half their regular registration rate (member or non-member). (This does not include Leadership Summit or the TRIO Compliance and Best Practices Forum). These registration forms must be submitted by email simultaneously. There is no online registration option for this special offer.
Government Relations/Institutional Representative: If you bring a member of your institution’s government relations staff or campus institutional leadership, their registration for the Legislative Conference is also half off the regular registration price. (This does not include Leadership Summit or the TRIO Compliance and Best Practices Forum). Registration for this special discount must be submitted by email—there is no online registration for this special offer.
IMPORTANT NOTE: These half-price discounts apply to the Legislative Conference only. For instance, if you register for both the Legislative Conference and the TRIO Compliance and Best Practices Forum, the half-price discount will apply only to the Legislative Conference portion.
Refund Policy
If requested on or before Sunday, February 28, registration fees paid in advance are refundable (less a $250 processing fee). To request a refund, you must email notice of your registration cancellation to [email protected]. COE will process refunds after the seminar ends.
Get in Touch
Questions? Contact Vice President for Public Policy Peter Mills.
Peter Mills
Vice President, Public Policy [email protected]
Christian Bell
Associate, Public Policy [email protected]
How to Cover the Cost of Policy Seminar
January 4, 2023
JOIN THE FIGHT TO PROTECT TRIO
Your voice matters! Use our quick and easy advocacy tool to email to your Members of Congress.
This Congress provides an opportunity to build relationships with Members of Congress. These officials are eager to meet with students, their families, and constituents. COE is challenging the TRIO community to host as many local visits with their Representatives and Senators as possible during the fall and spring recess periods! We ask you to contact both your Senators and your House Representative and urge them to protect TRIO from funding cuts and possibly even increase TRIO funding so that today’s low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities will have access to higher education.
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If you are a student support services professional, thank you. You are an unsung hero for all the good that you do, and surely you know by now that COE has your back.
Partner
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Join more than 1,000 colleges and community agencies committed to postsecondary opportunity for low-income, first-generation students, students with disabilities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., the Pacific Islands, and Puerto Rico!