TRIO/Educational Opportunity Centers Program Newsletter

Connecting Adults to Education and their Future!

 

National TRIO GEAR UP Celebration Week 2020

TRIO Logo

February17-21 is National TRIO GEAR UP Celebration Week. Locally, Wichita State University programs will celebrate over 50 years of providing access to higher education for disadvantaged youth and adults. With the help of these federally funded programs, low-income and first-generation persons enter college and earn a college degree. To mark this celebration week, TRIO, Statewide GEAR UP, and Haysville GEAR UP programs will volunteer at designated locations throughout the City of Wichita.

We invite you to celebrate the positive impact of federal TRIO Programs in our communities throughout the nation. Reflect on the importance of educational opportunity programs in creating a fairer society for all Americans. Act to protect and further access to higher education for low-income and first-generation students.

In many communities through-out America, the TRIO Programs are the only programs that help low-income Americans to enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America's eco-nomic and social life.
Dr. Arnold Mitchem
President Emeritus of the Council for Opportunity in Education

Myths About Financial Aid

Q. I don’t want to have loans, so why apply for the FAFSA?

A. Some financial aid offered will come in the form of either subsidized or unsub-sidized federal loans. These are there for people who need them. To support your education, EOC suggests that adults consider applying for grants or work-study — these are also forms of financial aid.

Agency Spotlight:

Department for Children and Families


Photo of Nan Putnam

Nan Putnam

Assistant Regional Director - Wichita

 

 

DCF is a great community agency partner which provides space and amenities to the EOC program. This partnership is important because EOC and DCF have the same common goal of providing hope and opportunity to adults experiencing challenges.

At noon on February 12th, EOC and DCF STEPs Lab are hosting a free workshop on returning to school as adults.

Thanks to Nan and all of the professional staff of DCF here in Wichita. 

Career Exploration Lab

Majors are important in college because it's what determines not only what degree you will graduate with, but what career you will be most qualified for once you've graduated. Now is the time to consider your career and a career path way. EOC makes it easy for you thru a career assessment and career exploration labs. These labs are free and are offered weekly. The lab is one hour long.

Spotlight on EOC Program Staff

 Photo of Corinthian Kelly.

Corinthian Kelly

Outreach Manager/Program Specialist

 

Education: Currently working on Masters of Public Administration from Wichita State University.

Books Recently read: Classic Readings in Organizational Behavior by J S Ott

Movies: The Shawshank Redemption, Malcolm X, Se7en, and Crimson Tide.

Music: Listen to all kinds - jazz, classical, gospel, pop, hip hop, r & b.

Favorite Artists: Lauryn Hill and J. Cole and Kodak Black.

Other Interests: Sports - football, basket- ball, etc., documentaries & naps.

EOC Participants in the Spotlight

Newest TRIO EOC Ambassadors Maqueda Scott, Lucretia Johnson, Jalissa SPiller, and Lisha Watts.

Congratulations to our newest TRIO EOC Ambassadors, from left to right: 

  • Maqueda Scott – wants to be a Radiologist. She is enrolled at WSU Tech.
  • Lucretia Johnson – is enrolled in the Shocker Pathways Program at WSU Tech. She wants to go in the medical field.
  • Jalissa Spiller – is enrolled in WSU Tech’s Composite Fabrication Program.
  • Lisha Watts – completed her GED at KANSEL in June 2019. She wants to become an early childhood teacher and will decide between WSU Tech and WSU.

Finish Your Degree

Students smiling in their caps and gowns as graduation day is about to commence.

Whether you have been to college, have some college credits from many years ago, or simply need to retool your education for a career change, there is much to be gained from going back to school. EOC assists with school and college applications, the financial aid process, and more. Appointments suggested.

Gain Leadership Skills: Become an EOC Ambassador

Ambassadors are program participants who have attained some measure of suc-cess on their education action plan. Leadership training is provided and all ambassadors are issued a Polo Shirt and receive a gold seal certificate for volunteer service. Contact EOC to volunteer. Ask for Staysha at 978-7800.

Visit the EOC Program Website at www.wichita.edu/eoc

Special gifts to the first fifty (50) program participants that like us on Facebook!

Newsletter Published Monthly by the EOC Program Staff.

Editor: Frances Ervin

Staff Contributors: Corinthian Kelly, Staysha Work-Fields & Jed Shepherd

Website Support: Janardhan Yalamanchili

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Wichita State University does not discriminate in its employment practices, educational programs or activities on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a veteran. Retaliation against an individual filing or cooperating in a complaint process is also prohibited. Sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking are forms of sex discrimination and are prohibited under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. Complaints or concerns related to alleged discrimination may be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity or the Title IX Coordinator, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita KS 67260-0138; telephone (316) 978-3187.