National TRIO Day: Celebrating student access and success

The College of St. Scholastica will join institutions across the country to celebrate National TRIO Day on Saturday, Feb. 28. This annual day of recognition highlights the impact of federal TRIO programs in expanding access to higher education and supporting the academic success of students who are first-generation, from low-income households, or have a disability.

As a community committed to the Benedictine value of the love of learning, St. Scholastica invites all faculty, staff, and students to engage in this celebration of student achievement and the programs that make it all possible.

“TRIO has been central to the College’s mission of providing transformative education and access to every student, regardless of their background,” noted Dory Kempf ‘99, associate vice president of Student Affairs. “As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of TRIO Day, we highlight the many successes of our TRIO students, who are making a meaningful impact in their professions and communities, while demonstrating the value of higher education.”

“We also extend our sincere gratitude to the dedicated TRIO staff,” continued Kempf, “whose daily commitment to supporting and advocating for our students and programs makes this impact possible.”

TRIO speaker event

The highlight of this year’s celebration is a special presentation featuring TRIO honoree Tim Jessen ’22. The event will take place on Friday, Feb. 27, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Somers Main Lounge on the Duluth main campus.

Jessen will share his personal journey and reflect on how TRIO programs shaped his academic and professional path. A nursing alumnus, Jessen’s history with TRIO is extensive; he is a former participant of both Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) and TRIO Student Support Services (SSS). In fact, he was named the UBMS Senior Student of the Year in 2017.

Today, Jessen serves the Duluth community as a nurse at Aspirus St. Luke’s, an EMS instructor, and a volunteer firefighter and EMT. His story serves as a powerful example of the life-changing impact of TRIO.

“Tim’s journey from a TRIO student to healthcare professional in the Twin Ports, achieved amidst the complexities of a global pandemic, is a powerful success story and truly embodies our mission,” Director of TRIO SSS Matt Hoeschen ’04 (MBA ’24) said. “We invite the St. Scholastica community to join us in honoring the achievements of our students and alumni whose lives have been transformed through these opportunities.”

Five distinct TRIO programs

For over 30 years, the College has hosted five distinct TRIO programs, supporting the academic and career goals of thousands of students. This comprehensive pipeline of support extends from middle school through post-graduate studies, providing essential services – academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial guidance, and assistance with graduate school admissions – to ensure students have the tools to succeed.

Pre-college programs

TRIO Talent Search begins by providing services to middle school students who have been identified as having the potential to succeed in higher education. Serving first-generation students from limited-income households, TRIO Talent Search offers early guidance, academic support, and college-readiness resources.

Upward Bound provides fundamental support in their preparation for college entrance, while Upward Bound Math and Science strengthens participants’ technical skills and encourages them to pursue interests in STEM fields. These pre-college programs continue through high school, ensuring sustained support as students prepare for and transition into postsecondary education.

College and post-graduate programs

Once students arrive on campus, TRIO Student Support Services offers a roadmap for academic and personal growth. SSS goes beyond the basics, providing tailored support and a community of encouragement that helps every scholar stay focused on the ultimate goal: earning their degree. For those looking toward graduate degrees, the TRIO McNair Scholars program prepares undergraduate students for advanced studies through intensive research, scholarly activities, and guidance through the application process.

High benchmarks for student success

As federally funded programs, each TRIO program must secure its future through a highly competitive federal grant process every five years. Funding is awarded based on a program’s proven performance, and at St. Scholastica, the results speak for themselves. Across every metric – from retention and graduation to doctoral entry – the College’s TRIO programs continue to set high benchmarks for student success. In the 2024-25 academic year alone, the five programs served over 900 students across the Northeast region.

Together, these programs ensure that the path to and through college is accessible. For more information about the five TRIO programs at The College of St. Scholastica, visit the Pre-College Programs and Student Services pages.