St. Scholastica’s Brandon Vang elected to the Minnesota TRIO Board of Directors

Brandon Vang ’18 (MEd ’25), Student Success Advisor with TRIO Student Support Services (SSS), has been elected to the 2026-27 Minnesota TRIO (MNTRIO) Board of Directors as a Member at Large. Selected by TRIO professionals from across the state, this opportunity connects Vang to a statewide network of colleagues advancing educational access.

A statewide network

MNTRIO is a state chapter of the Educational Opportunity Association that supports TRIO programs and professionals throughout Minnesota in fostering collaboration, professional development, and advocacy. This nonprofit professional association champions low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students in completing college degrees.

“I’m honored and thrilled to have been selected by colleagues who do this work every day,” Vang said. “I’m looking forward to representing northern Minnesota and contributing to the collaboration and professional development that makes all of our programs, including ours, stronger.”

Director of TRIO SSS Matt Hoeschen ’04 (MBA ’24) said of Vang’s election: “His election is a testament to the positive impact he has on our students and the broader TRIO community across Minnesota.”

Supporting Saints

At St. Scholastica, TRIO SSS helps eligible students succeed in college and earn their undergraduate degrees. Meeting students where they are, the program offers mentorship, programming, and services designed to support them at every stage of their college experience. TRIO SSS offers free services in:

• Academic support
• Career guidance
• Personal development
• Financial literacy

“As a first-generation college student, I found my footing at St. Scholastica twice over, and now I get to keep growing in a field I care deeply about,” Vang continued. “Every bit of experience I gain in this role with MNTRIO is an experience I can put to work for our students.”