National TRIO Day celebrated 53 years of programming at WSU on February 13, 2018, and T3 was there to capture it all!  The celebration included TRIO and GEAR UP alumni that traveled from all over to share how the programs’ services helped them achieve their goals to become successful college graduates.  T3’s design team provided media services to record the night’s celebration and conduct a series of interviews with distinguished guests, including the Mayor of Wichita, Jeff Longwell and several alumni of the programs.

Wichita State University Office of Special Programs has a long history of providing services across Kansas; the first TRIO program began in 1965.  Since 1965 WSU has been committed to providing comprehensive educational opportunities to 5,464 students state-wide through teaching, scholarship and public service. The TRIO and GEAR UP programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Services assist low-income individuals, first generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to graduate school.

The Wichita State University Campus houses 10 TRIO Programs including:

  1. Communication Upward Bound
  2. Disability Support Services
  3. Educational Opportunity Centers
  4. Ronald McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program
  5. Student Support Services
  6. Upward Bound Talent Search
  7. Upward Bound Math Science
  8. Upward Bound Wichita Prep
  9. Upward Bound Empowerment
  10. Veterans Upward Bound

5 GEAR UP Programs:

  1. Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP
  2. North Wichita GEAR UP
  3. South Wichita GEAR UP
  4. West Wichita GEAR UP
  5. Southeast Wichita GEAR UP

T3 congratulates the TRIO and GEAR UP programs on their outstanding efforts to provide services to students.