TRIO Future Leaders Summit

Preparing the next generation of leaders to make an impact in public policy.

The TRIO Future Leaders Summit gave students an opportunity to explore the world of public policy, connect with policy experts and members of Congress, and work alongside fellow TRIO students to examine real-world issues and solutions.

More than a conference, the summit helped students build leadership and advocacy skills, expand their professional networks, and discover how their experiences and perspectives can contribute to public policy and public service.

Check out photos from the TRIO Future Leaders Summit and see the experience in action!

Applications for the most recent TRIO Future Leaders Summit are now closed. Stay tuned for information about the next cohort and your opportunity to apply!

Participants had the opportunity to:

Connect with policy experts, leaders, and fellow TRIO students.
Learn more about careers and opportunities in public policy and public service.
Engage with members of Congress and gain exposure to the policymaking process.
Strengthen leadership, advocacy, networking, and professional skills.
Explore how their experiences and education can help create meaningful change.

Please contact COE Director of Student Opportunities Angela L. Holley via e-mail or phone at (202) 347-7430 if you have any questions.

KEY PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

We’re looking for driven TRIO students who want to make an impact. If you’re an undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior active in TRIO Student Support Services or the TRIO McNair Postbaccalaureate program, this summit is for you. You should have: A minimum 3.0 GPA; leadership experience or an interest in political science, public policy, or related fields; and a passion for advocacy and public service. All majors are welcome—if you’re ready to be a change-maker, we want to hear from you!

The week is packed with opportunities to grow, network, and be inspired: Day 1: Start with an evening social to connect with your cohort and kick off this exciting journey. Day 2: Explore workshops on the impact of educational policy, build networking skills, and meet TRIO alumni who are already shaping policy on Capitol Hill. Day 3: Gain insight into imposter syndrome, learn about internship opportunities, attend a graduate school fair, and connect with professionals who can guide your future. Day 4: Take your ideas to Capitol Hill! Present your case study analysis and meet with senators and representatives to discuss real issues. Day 5: Head back home ready to make an impact with new knowledge, skills, and connections.

The registration fee is $2,000 per student and covers: Ground transportation throughout D.C.; lodging and all meals during the event; fees for activities, educational resources, and cultural excursions. Students are responsible for travel costs to and from Washington, D.C., and meals during transit. We also offer the sample donation request letter above to help you secure funding for this life-changing experience.

Get in Touch

Questions? Contact Director of Student Opportunities Angela L. Holley.

Angela L. Holley

Director, Student Development Services [email protected]

ADDITIONAL OPPRTUNITIES

COE will invite applications for these additional opportunities soon.

COE has seasonal student opportunities for TRIO high school and undergraduate students and recent TRIO graduates. Get notified when COE seeks future cohorts for the opportunities below.

GET NOTIFIED

Each summer, COE hosts more than 150 TRIO high school student delegates from Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science and Talent Search programs across the United States and territories to participate in a rigorous 6-day leadership experience in Washington, D.C. During the Leadership Congress, the delegates sleep, study, and dine on the campus of American University. In addition to meeting their Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill, delegates participate in community service projects, conflict resolution workshops, and spend much of the program engaged in a Mock Congress. This requires students to research critical policy issues, draft legislation, and debate their peers with their assigned team.

A paid internship opportunity lasting four to six months is awarded each year to a graduating senior or recent college graduate who has participated in a federal TRIO program. The program includes an internship in a Congressional office preceded by several weeks in COE’s Washington, DC office. The internship is named for the late Thomas R. Wolanin, former staff director of the Subcommittee on Post- Secondary Education in the U.S. House of Representatives, a champion of access and affordability in postsecondary education, and a committed advocate for first-generation students.

The Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program was founded with the notion that all college students should have access to international experiences. The program supports the study of TRIO college students with demonstrated leadership skills in a three-to-four-week program. Since 2000, more than 350 low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities have participated in COE-sponsored short-term and semester study abroad programs in Great Britain, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Spain.

Through the Keith Sherin Global Leaders Washington Semester Program, one high-achieving TRIO college student is selected each semester and supported with tuition, housing, and a small living stipend. The Washington, D.C. public policy program includes a semester of study at Marquette University’s Les Aspin Center and an internship placement in a Congressional office.

COE’s TRIO Career Development Program (TCDP) provides TRIO SSS and McNair students with access to competitive paid internships and jobs. TCDP builds professional skills, supports development through mentoring, provides connections to careers with top employers, and helps maximize their work experience. Students receive personalized mentoring and tools to develop and execute their career plans. After building valuable relationships, these students will be prepared to compete for highly sought-after positions with various public and private sector partners.

Learn More

Student Opportunities

Stay Connected

Learn more about how the Council for Opportunity in Education works in conjunction with colleges, universities, and agencies to help low-income students enter college and graduate.

TRIO Future Leaders Summit