Let’s Talk TRIO

Let’s Talk TRIO

A podcast dedicated to the TRIO programs across the United States and its territories. TRIO programs are federally funded outreach initiatives that promote college access, equity, and success. The podcast highlights stories from staff, participants, alumni, and advocates from various TRIO programs (Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, Veteran’s Upward Bound, Student Support Services, McNair Program, Educational Opportunity Centers).

Episodes

March 14, 2025 52 mins

Let's talk about real college life! We're chatting with an incredible student from Dallas College who's juggling academics, leadership, and everything in between. Christina Sebastian joins the Let’s Talk TRIO podcast to share her experience as a student and participant. Listen in as Christina shares about her involvement with TRIO Student Support Services program and being the president of her college's TRIO club, and she's getting...

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Ever wondered what drives someone to dedicate their career to empowering first-generation college students? This episode answers that question with Paulia D. Williams, the award-winning Gamecock Guarantee Coordinator at USC. Discover the personal story behind her passion for TRIO, and find out what it means to be recognized as the 2024 Dennis A. Pruitt Outstanding Advocate for First-Year Students. Prepare to be inspired by her jour...

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February 28, 2025 68 mins

This week's guest is Jamie McDowell! A graduate student at Colorado State University studying Student Affairs in Higher Education, Jamie is also a proud first-generation graduate and TRIO alum of the ACE program. She's a Provost Fellowship research recipient, Spirit of ACE award winner, and undergraduate woman leader nominee. Tune in to hear Jamie's incredible story of perseverance, the impact of TRIO on her success, and her advice...

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This is a paid partnership episode by our sponsor, NOSOTROS Education Center. While the episode showcases our sponsor's services, we believe that the episode also contains valuable information relevant to the TRIO community (free webinars, resources, and more).

Lisa Retamozo, Director and Founder, is on the podcast to share upcoming workshops on: TRIO staff trainings, grant writing, Annual Performance Reports, Program Restructuring...

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Changing lives, one student at a time. Meet the dedicated TRIO Upward Bound team at the University of Montana-Missoula on this episode of Let's Talk TRIO. Xavier Xtravaganza, Jonathan Carter, and Dannette Fadness reveal what drives them to support students on their path to higher education and share inspiring stories from the front lines.

Community Announcement Links:

COE’s 2025 Policy Seminar

NCCU TRIO Student Access and Success C...

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What happens when a TRIO student becomes a TRIO leader? Find out on this episode of Let's Talk TRIO! We catch up with Daniela Garcia, now Director of Upward Bound at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, to hear how TRIO impacted her life and how she's now paying it forward. It's a story of transformation you won't want to miss.

 

A heartfelt thanks to our individual donors and Patrons on Patreon

  • ...
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Juan's opinion on the attempt to freeze the budgets of many federal programs which could have potential affects on TRIO. This move by the Trump Administration was blocked by a federal judge and, ultimately, the administration rescinded the memo.

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SEASON 6 FINALE! Hear from Nelsy Montes-Romero, a current TRIO Student Support Services participant at California State University-Monterey Bay. Nelsy joins us to share her inspiring journey, including her academic progress, exciting personal experiences, and how TRIO is supporting her on her path to success.

A heartfelt thanks to our individual supporters:

  • Dr. Jamie Motley
  • Read more
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From Poverty to the World Stage: Michael Dillard, a TRIO Upward Bound alum, shares his incredible journey. This 'accidental' diplomat, author of "Accidental Success," reveals how education transformed his life. Learn how TRIO Upward Bound helped him navigate college, discover his passion for finance, and ultimately, find his voice on the global stage. Listen now!

Contact our Guest, Michael Dillard, for Speaking Engagements (book a ...

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In this episode: Dr. Renee Delgado-Riley, TRIO McNair Alum from the University of New Mexico and Director of Research and Assessment within the Office of Student Life at the University of Oregon.

Dr. Delgado-Riley is on the podcast to share her TRIO journey, being an alum of the TRIO McNair program, her interest in research, and so much more.

A heartfelt thank you to our individual supporters:

  • Dr. Jamie Motley
  • Dr. Ryan B...
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In this episode: Cove Johnson, TRIO Upward Bound participant and TRIO Talent Search alum from the University of North Dakota.

Cove is on the podcast to share her TRIO journey, interests in high school, potential career paths, and so much more.

A heartfelt thank you to our individual supporters:

  • Dr. Jamie Motley
  • Dr. Ryan Barone
  • Dr. Jeff Nepute
  • Angelica Vialpando
  • Angelica Valdez
  • Rosario Riley
  • Felicia Rivera
  • Eric LaMaster
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In this episode: Dr. Lydia Perez, Director of TRIO Programs at Mesa Community College and TRIO Alum.

Dr. Perez is on the podcast to share her TRIO journey, her path to college (which started with attending a football game!), pursuing a doctoral degree, and receiving the Walter O. Mason Jr. Award for Exceptional Contributions to Educational Opportunity. Listen as Dr. Perez talks about her experience being a TRIO participant, followi...

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In this episode: Natalie DeMarco, Researcher and Participant of the TRIO McNair program at Montana State University-Bozeman.

Natalie is on the podcast to share her TRIO journey, her path to college, joining TRIO McNair, and more. Listen as Natalie talks about her experience being a TRIO participant, participating in research opportunities, establishing a first-generation organization at MSU-Bozeman, and so much more.

A heartfelt th...

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In this podcast episode: Kellyann Weber, TRIO Upward Bound Director at Clovis Community College in New Mexico.

Kellyann is on the podcast to discuss how she followed her current path to TRIO as a career. Kellyann shares what initially got her to go to college and how her interests evolved over time. Listen as Kellyann shares her educational and professional journey.

A heartfelt thank you to our individual supporters:

  • Dr. Jamie ...
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In this podcast episode: Celestina Munoz-Bryant, TRIO Alum and TRIO Student Support Services Director at the University of Southern Indiana.

Celestina is on the podcast to talk about her TRIO journey. From joining a TRIO program to now leading as a director for TRIO Student Support Services. Listen as Celestina shares her educational and professional journey.

A heartfelt thank you to our individual supporters:

  • Dr. Jamie Motley
  • ...
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In this podcast episode: Daniel Krhin, Director of TRIO at Ripon College and Financial Instructor.

Daniel is on the podcast to discuss his personal, educational, and professional journey. Listen in as Daniel shares his experience in college, overcoming adversity and self-doubt, serving TRIO programs, and teaching students how to better think of their finances.

Contact Daniel Krhin:

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In this podcast episode: Jennifer Franco, Entrepreneur, Board Member for several non-profit organizations, and TRIO staff.

Jennifer is on the podcast to discuss her personal, educational, and professional journey. Listen in as Jennifer shares her experience in college, the challenges of being a single mother, going to college as a non-traditional student, and so much more.

A HUGE thank you to our patrons and sponsors: A...

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November 8, 2024 110 mins

In this podcast episode: Mercy Herrera, TRIO Alum of the McNair Program. Mercy is the Founder and Lead of Equip Academy of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Mercy is on the podcast to discuss her personal, educational, and professional journey. Listen in as Mercy shares her experience in college, her experience in education, starting a new charter school, and so much more.

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In this podcast episode: Melinda and Seferino Gurule, former TRIO staff members for different institutions and currently serve two different institutions of higher education.

  • Melinda Gurule - Success Coach and Advisor for the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley, CO)
  • Seferino Gurule - Academic Advisor for Colorado State University Online (Fort Collins, CO)

Melinda and Seferino are on the podcast to discus...

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In this episode of Let's Talk TRIO: Kamakshi Velamuri, TRIO Student Support Services participant at North Carolina Central University and CEO and Founder of Universal Vidya.  

Listen as Kamakshi shares her educational journey, her path to TRIO SSS at NCCU, and founding her own non-profit organization. Hear Kamakshi's wonderful story about perseverance, dedication, and remaining optimistic through this learning journey.

...

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