Over 300 Students Participate in TRiO Day 2025
By Carly Utterback, CEHHS Student Reporter, Class of 2025
On Saturday, February 22, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, hosted TRiO Day. This year’s theme was “Cultivating Futures: Growing Sustainable Success,” and the event was hosted by the Education Research and Opportunity Center (ERO) in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS).
Around 350 students and staff from all over Tennessee participated in a day of workshops, learning leadership skills, academic competitions, and community building.
TRiO Day gives first-generation, low-income, and disabled potential Vols access to the skills, experience, and knowledge they need to succeed in formal post-secondary education.
“We are here to help them tap and show their potential and help develop skills to impact their communities,” said Jonathan Curry, associate director of outreach and principal investigator of the ERO Center.
The participants of TRiO day all come from similar backgrounds but are diverse, with different perspectives. They are shown representation through the staff and students on UT’s campus. Student-workers who previously participated in TRiO Day were there to help guide the new generation into success.
Curry says a main impact they want to leave on the TRiO Day participants is that they matter, and they are important.
Participants were able to use their problem-solving and critical thinking skills to make tough decisions through a hands-on approach. In the morning around 200 participants attended eight varying workshops pertaining to the day’s theme of sustainable and successful growth.
Some groups gathered to engineer bridges with glue and popsicle sticks to see which could hold the most weight, while others were involved in a scholars’ bowl battling others with academics or a mock trial tasked with the roles from a courtroom.
Towards the end of the day, participants gathered in UT’s Art + Architecture Building to write letters to their state representatives, ensuring their voices are heard. They also cycled in and out to paint the Rock in recognition of their hard work.
“My favorite part of the day is seeing everyone come together to celebrate and show the impact of TRiO for first-generation access to education,” said Leigh Elkins, principal investigator and project director for the Math and Science Upward Bound Program.
The ERO Center is focused on outreach and research to “help schools and students succeed by improving policies and practices across the classroom-to-career pipeline.” They assist those who are first-generation, low-income, or veterans that seek post-secondary education. They also provide additional literacy resources to those within these margins.
The ERO Centers involvement with TRiO Day displays their passion to help make education equally accessible for all.
Through its seven departments and 13 centers, the UT Knoxville College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences enhances the quality of life for all through research, outreach, and practice. Find out more at cehhs.utk.edu