OSU-Okmulgee's TRiO program helps students

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

The TRiO Program staff at OSU-Okmulgee helps students earn a college degree by ensuring they learn good study skills, develop life skills, become active on campus and make friends. 

TRiO is a federally sponsored program that provides educational opportunities for low-income, first-generation college students and disabled Americans. The program is provided at no cost to students who meet one of the criteria.  

Tim Kreps, TRiO Project Director, said the staff’s goal is to ensure students stay in college and graduate. TRiO staff provides tutoring, academic and personal advisement as well as organizes social and cultural activities. 

“When students make a social connection to other students and get involved in organizations and entertainment activities, they are more likely to feel like they belong at college and stay here through tough times instead of dropping out,” Kreps said. 

TRiO staff also assists with scholarship searches, helps students complete FAFSA forms and assists them with transfers to other universities to complete a baccalaureate degree.  

An OSU-Okmulgee student working on an Associate in Science in Pre-Education, Amie Lewis from Muskogee, Oklahoma, said she has benefited from the TRiO program during her first two semesters at college. 

“The TRiO staff has provided tutoring for me in several of my class subject areas when I needed extra help, and they offer me advice and moral support for any problem I may have, whether it’s about academics or an issue involving my personal life or finances," Lewis said

Lewis has participated in many of the entertainment activities offered by TRiO and feels she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do them otherwise. 

“I have been with the TRiO group to see the play ‘Riverdance’ and the play ‘Oklahoma’ at Discoveryland in Tulsa," Lewis said. "I’ve never had the opportunity to go to anything like this in the past, and I’m very grateful I had the chance to go, because I loved both of the plays.” 

Lewis said the TRiO group also hosts informal get-togethers for students after they’ve been studying. All the activities help her build friendships, which makes her more likely to stay in college.

Lori Freeman, TRiO Educational Counselor, organizes many events and serves as an advisor for students. 

“My role is to connect the students to the campus, make them feel at home, assist them in finding solutions to any problems they may encounter, and make sure they have fun by attending social and cultural events," Freeman said.

Another TRiO participant, Caleb Rogers from Mounds, Oklahoma, said the TRiO staff has helped him in many areas of college life. 

“They’ve provided tutoring for me when I needed it in particular classes. They also helped familiarize me with college, so I feel more comfortable on campus," Rogers said. "I’ve made new friends through TRiO and joined clubs, such as Net Game Executives and the Association of Information Technology Professionals.” 

Rogers is working on an associate degree in applied science in information technologies. After he graduates, he intends to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in computer engineering at OSU-Stillwater.

OSU-Okmulgee received a federal grant from the Department of Education last summer for the TRiO program. The program is funded by the Higher Education Act of 1965, which initially consisted of just three programs. In the summer semester at OSU-Okmulgee, there were 157 students in the TRiO program, which can serve 160 students per semester.