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On Friday, May 9, U.S. Representative Mark Takano (CA-39) visited the TRIO Support Services Center at sa国际传媒官网网页入口 (MVC) to listen to student and alumni stories about the transformative impact of TRIO programs鈥攆ederally funded initiatives that support first-generation, low-income, and disabled students in achieving higher education success.

The roundtable discussion included more than a dozen TRIO participants, parents, and staff who shared personal stories of perseverance, academic success, and the program鈥檚 life-changing support. With federal funding for TRIO programs currently under debate in Washington, the visit highlighted the program鈥檚 vital role in communities like Moreno Valley.

Takano praised the program and those it serves, calling TRIO 鈥渁 hero鈥� and celebrating its generational benefits.

鈥淢oney should never be the reason why someone can鈥檛 go to college,鈥� Takano said. 鈥淚t makes me very proud to see students from our community succeeding in science and technology. Programs like TRIO are what make America great.鈥�

TRIO comprises eight federally funded programs that support low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities. At MVC, five of these programs serve more than 1,000 families annually under the leadership of Micki Grayson, director of TRIO Support Services, supporting students from middle school through college.

Grayson, a lifelong TRIO advocate with more than 30 years of experience, said the program not only transforms individual lives but also uplifts families and communities.

鈥淭RIO is near and dear to my heart,鈥� said Grayson. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about one student鈥攊t鈥檚 about changing the trajectory for entire families.鈥�

Personal Stories of Impact

TRIO student testimonies painted a vivid picture of the program鈥檚 far-reaching influence.

Genesis, a TRIO alum who graduated from a four-year university and is now heading to UC Medical School with aspirations to work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the program gave her a path when she had none. Takano responded, 鈥淲e need young people like you who understand why this is important.鈥�

Melissa, a student at Humboldt State and a mother of three, credited TRIO with helping her escape a domestic violence situation and build a future for her family.

鈥淲ithout TRIO, this would have been difficult. We would be lost,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow I have all the support in the world.鈥�

Bertha, who entered TRIO in middle school and is now studying music education at MVC, shared how the program made it possible to follow her passion despite cultural expectations to pursue manual labor jobs.

Antonio, a TRIO alum currently in his final year at Cal Poly Pomona majoring in Electrical Mechanical Engineering, said he plans to work with the Department of Water and Power. Outside of school, he mentors and tutors younger TRIO scholars to give back to the program that helped him achieve his current success.

Danielle, who overcame housing insecurity and a troubled household, credited the program with changing her family鈥檚 future.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 just the reason I got through college鈥攊t鈥檚 why my daughter鈥檚 life looks entirely different from mine,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the generational impact of this support system.鈥�

Abraham shared how TRIO completely changed his academic path.

鈥淚 had a 1.9 GPA before I was introduced to TRIO. Within a year, my grades jumped to honor roll status because of their support. TRIO helped me graduate high school and pushed me to grind hard鈥攕o I did. I started at MVC in computer programming and eventually earned my undergraduate degree in software engineering and biochemistry. Now, I鈥檓 working on my master鈥檚 in biochemistry. I couldn鈥檛 have done any of this without TRIO helping me lock in and stay focused.鈥�

Abraham now works in the MVC Maker Space as a lab technician with hopes of pursuing his doctorate. Takano was visibly moved, remarking, 鈥淭he future of our country is at stake. Discovering your story and your future doctoral research is one of the stories that will pay out many times over compared to the investment made in the form of TRIO.鈥�

A Call for Continued Advocacy

Roosevelt Charles, Ed.D., vice president of student services at MVC, urged attendees to continue sharing their stories.

鈥淭RIO works. It鈥檚 proven, year after year,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ehind every data point is a person, a family, a community. We must continue to advocate and make sure those in power understand the depth of this impact.鈥�

Dean Sandra Martinez echoed the sentiment, adding, 鈥淲e're here because we鈥檙e committed to supporting students, and we need continuous advocacy at the highest levels.鈥�

Takano assured attendees that, although the President鈥檚 proposed budget eliminates TRIO, he did not believe Congress would let that happen.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not the end of the story,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut it is a dicey time. Hearing directly from you gives me more to take back to my colleagues across the aisle.鈥�

For many in the room, showing up meant taking time off work, driving in traffic, or arranging childcare鈥攂ut the consensus was clear: TRIO is worth fighting for.

As one parent, Jade, put it: 鈥淭his program has been such a blessing. My daughter says, 鈥業鈥檓 destined to succeed.鈥� And thanks to TRIO, I believe her.鈥�

Her words echoed the collective sentiment in the room鈥攖hat the future of TRIO isn鈥檛 just a policy decision; it鈥檚 a matter of opportunity and equity for families across the country. For Takano, these stories serve as more than inspiration鈥攖hey're a call to action.

If you have a TRIO success story you would like to share, please email us at news@mvc.edu.