Strenghts of TRIO

The ultimate strength of TRIO SSS is the staff's commitment to ensure students succeed. This work requires a lot of dedication and belief in the mission. The goals of TRIO are to foster retention and graduation rates, foster an institutional climate supportive of success, engage students in the process of active learning, and encourage reciprocal teaching. Another goal is to provide services, opportunities, and resources that enhance personal skills and academic competencies. The goals of the organization are established, but there is not system that defines how to accomplish these goals. Every TRIO program is different and employees vary in personality and leadership style.

Recently, I contacted the director for the TRIO program at University of Arizona to inquire about their academic coaching and tutoring model and techniques. He replied and provided valuable information, but I was worried he would not help because TRIO is a grant and many institutions of higher learning compete for these grants. The competitiveness of TRIO grants is great and some programs do not really share their program components thinking it would be a disadvantage to their program. ASU TRIO programs share a lot of information with each other and all the staff members meet every month to give updates and share ideas. The staff work together to have TRIO's presence known at ASU and to grow their influence.