Sunday — Wednesday • March 20-23, 2022 • Washington, D.C. and Online
For the first time in the Seminar's history Secretary, Dr. Miguel Cardona, joined us in person to welcome and provide insight on his priorities.
COE also hosted Dr. Michelle Asha Cooper, the 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.
Long-time TRIO advocate Dr. Linda Byrd-Johnson, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs, and ReShone Moore, Division Director for Graduate and Special Focus Programs, gave updates from the Student Services (TRIO and GEAR UP) Division.
TRIO nation welcomed Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), the co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional TRIO Caucus, and Senator Margaret Hassan (D-NH), a member of the Congressional TRIO Caucus, and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS). We received video remarks from Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)! We got trained on working with our government relations professionals, and heard from COE and congressional staff experts.
Listen to the presentations from Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Margaret Hassan (D-NH), Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA).
We shared our TRIO stories and urged Members of Congress and staff to include TRIO in their top five priorities in the Appropriations database for Labor-HHS-Education. Many Representatives and Senators have already signed on to support TRIO, but have yours signed on yet? Email Vice President of Public Policy Jonathan Elkin at (jonathan.elkin@coenet.org or Director of Congressional Affairs Zach Farmer at (zach.farmer@coenet.org) to find out.
We are asking Members of Congress to support a $170 million funding increase to allow TRIO to serve 1 million students in FY23. 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.
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