2021 Annual Policy Seminar

Over 800 TRIO professionals joined the Relations with the U.S. Department of Education Seminar

For the first time in the Seminar's history the new Secretary, Dr. Miguel Cardona, joined us by video to welcome and provide insight on his priorities. Watch his remarks here.

COE also welcomed Dr. Michelle Asha Cooper, the new Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs in the Office of Postsecondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education.

A fierce advocate for racial and economic equity, experienced practitioner, demonstrated leader, and long-standing friend of TRIO, Dr. Cooper is one of the nation's most trusted voices in championing access and success for all students in higher education. She fundamentally believes that educational attainment can improve an individual's life and, in doing so, strengthen families, communities, and the workforce. We look forward to working her closely on issues affecting low-income, first-generation and students with disabilities.

Dr. Linda Byrd-Johnson, Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs and our TRIO advocate talked briefly about the Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Center competitions and the competitions ahead.

Thanks to all who participated in Policy Seminar 2021, making it a huge success!

TRIO Nation welcomed Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), the U.S. Senate's first TRIO alumnus, and Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA), the newest TRIO alumna in the House. We heard from Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), and Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID, TRIO Caucus Chair) on how TRIO works! We got trained on Advocacy Storytelling, and heard from COE and congressional staff experts.

ICYMI: Hear remarks from Members of Congress at Policy Seminar

Listen to the presentations of Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock, Representative Nikema Williams and Representative Mark .

• For registered participants, the recording to sessions will be available at the conference platform here.
• Please note, the sessions with the U.S. Department of Education personnel will not be accessible.

TRIO met with over 400 Congressional offices on our virtual Hill Day!

We shared our TRIO stories and urged Members of Congress and staff to double Pell Grants and double TRIO. More than 60 Representatives and a dozen Senators have already signed on to support TRIO, but have yours signed on yet?

Whether or not you attended Policy Seminar your students need your help!

We are asking Congress to increase TRIO by at least 20% to serve one million students! This 20% increase would be a down payment to double TRIO in five years. If you attended the Policy Seminar, you must follow up on each meeting to make sure your Members of Congress follow up on their pledge to support TRIO! Get free advocacy tools here.