Highline’s TriO program is looking for students to help. 

TRiO seeks to provide mentorship, guidance, and community to students who need additional help achieving their academic goals. The program focuses on getting first-generation college students to graduate with bachelors degrees.

“Our main goal is student success,” said Ay Saechao, Highline dean of Student Support and Funding Services.

The number of eligible students has now been expanded.  

“For a limited time, students who are in prof-tech fields (certificate programs) and those who are currently in our BAS (bachelor of applied science) programs may be eligible for TRiO,” Saechao said.

“Officially from the US Department of Education, we are held accountable to ensure our students succeed in the following: good academic standing, retention, graduation, and transfer to bachelor degree programs of our students,” Saechao said.

The US Department of Education offers eight TRiO programs, one of which is Student Support Services.

“We offer academic, transfer, financial literacy and financial aid coaching and community support,” Saechao said. “This means many things. 

“Our students first and foremost gain a sense of community and belonging. They connect with their TRiO adviser, who is their professional mentor, adviser, coach. The adviser cheers their students on. They map out plans and follow closely with each student to ensure goals are set, adjusted if needed and are met.”

TRiO students may not have typical college backgrounds.

“Almost all TRiO students are first-generation college students,” Saechao said. “This means they’re the pioneers – first in their family who will earn a college degree or certificate.”

Saechao said the program tries to help students have success in college. 

“I can’t and won’t simplify the challenges our students face,” he said. “They are complex. However, what we focus on in TRiO is the empowerment piece and how to take the next step, each one at a time for them to reach their goal and TRiO is dedicated to walking that journey with them.”

What challenges and success look like can’t be generalized,  Saechao said. The struggles people face are as varied as they are, and overcoming them should be celebrated.

“It’s somewhat relative,” he said. “We have had a student who earned a 2.0 in her Math 91 course. For her, given the amount of time she devoted to the class while simultaneously overcoming numerous personal and familial matters, that was an outstanding achievement.” 

But the ability to persevere is a hallmark of TRiO students, Saechao said.  

“Our students are extremely strong and resilient. With that stated, and to be fair with them, they deserve the level of support TRiO is able to provide to help them overcome obstacles, challenges, and the unforeseen journey they have ahead,” he said.

“The truth is our success and outstanding examples should be the common example. With that, our TRiO students do graduate and transfer at two or three times the rate when compared to other students. That’s outstanding,” Saechao said. 

“There is a relationship and partnership between TRiO adviser and each of their students, that both will come half-way and try their best to get the student to where they want to be educationally and beyond. That’s what TRiO students cherish about being part of the program. Finding and sticking with an advisor to that level for their time at Highline and beyond is powerful,” he said.

“That authentic, demanding, warm, caring and uplifting connection between a TRiO Advisor and the TRiO student is what makes TRiO unique,” Saechao said.

“TRiO students are highly engaged and involved in their educational success and they have a TRiO team/community who are equally committed. From day one, during what we call the ‘TRiO Intake Interview,’ we clearly share that the goals will be ambitious and that they will not be alone. They will be surrounded with support. In addition, a lot will be expected from them, and that we believe they and we can overcome together,” Saechao said.

Students interested in getting more information can go to the TRiO Center located at the Student Success Center in Building 6 or go to the TRiO website: https://trio.highline.edu/.

“Students must apply and be accepted into the TRiO program in order to be served by TRiO. It’s important to note that spots are limited,” Saechao said.