Dear editor,
On May 21, 2008, Minnesota TRiO will host a Congressional Reception from 1-3 p.m. at Metropolitan State University. Minnesota TRiO represents 68 federally funded college access and success programs that currently serve more than 16,000 low-income, first generation students, and students with disabilities throughout the state of Minnesota.
All U.S. legislators will be represented at the event; in addition, several Minnesota state senators, representatives, higher education officials (college presidents, vice presidents, college deans), Minnesota high school principals, superintendents, and other community members supportive of equal opportunity programs will be in attendance. Congressman Jim Ramstad will receive a special recognition for his support of TRiO programs. Three alumni of MN TRiO programs and a current TRiO student will speak about the impact of TRiO programs on their lives and the importance of educational opportunity for all Americans.
Although Minnesota TRiO is one of the largest and longest running college access programs, originating as a Great Society program during the civil rights era, the TRiO programs currently serve only 7 percent of eligible participants in the state of Minnesota. In addition, level funding for the past four years has reduced services and number of students TRiO can serve.
Nationally, TRiO is seeking an increase of $120 million for a total of $1 billion in funding to increase the number of students served, as well as to increase instruction in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
This event is sponsored by MN TRiO, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Office of the Chancellor, the Minnesota Private College Council, and the Council for Opportunity in Education.
Currently, there are 20 TRiO projects in Minnesota’s 8th District and Congressman James Oberstar has been a great supporter of TRiO. The $1,320,602 Arrowhead Region Colleges TRiO Student Support Services grant is funded 100 percent by the U.S. Department of Education and has provided equal access and opportunities to higher education for over 19 years.
I, along with over 600 people, recently attended a Policy Seminar in Washington DC to advocate for TRiO programs. To learn more about TRiO, you can go to http://www.vcc.edu/departments/sss/index.cfm [1] and click on Regional TRiO SSS Project Profile.

Annette Horvat,
Regional Director
Arrowhead Region Colleges TRiO Student Support Services
(Serving 1,000 students at Hibbing, Itasca, Mesabi Range, Rainy River, and Vermilion Community Colleges)