Building Stronger Bonds: Our Partnership with TRIO Programs Through COE

In today's world, the right guidance can make all the difference, especially for first-generation college students. Navigating the complex maze of college preparation, applications, and academic life can be daunting. However, there's a beacon of hope and support: TRIO programs.

TRIO programs are a vital lifeline, federally funded and strategically designed to support first-generation college students, extending from high school, traversing college, and even encompassing adult learners. Among these, three programs stand out, aligning seamlessly with our mission: Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, and Talent Search. These exceptional initiatives have one core focus – to ensure high school students not only gain entrance but also thrive once they're in college.

OnTrack's partnership with TRIO began in 2015-2016. Initially, our collaboration was limited to a handful of programs. We soon learned our high school navigation curriculum resonated deeply with TRIO's mission, strengthening our partnership. Fast forward to today, we're proud to partner with nearly 90 of these trailblazing programs.

An annual highlight for our OnTrack team is the national Council for Opportunity in Education(COE) conference, complemented by various regional conferences. These events are more than just gatherings; they're opportunities to learn, share, and reinforce our commitment to the cause.

This year's national COE conference was especially memorable. With our revamped booth setup, we felt more engaged and interactive than ever before. Our Hot Topic session featuring our new and improved ONTRACK was a smashing hit, drawing a full room of about 40 attendees. But the engagement didn't stop there. Thanks to technology, we extended our reach to a digital audience, with 12 participants joining via Zoom—the most for a workshop that day!

The conference floor buzzed with energy, and our booth was a hub of activity. We had the chance to converse with dozens of attendees, a majority of whom expressed keen interest in future collaboration, providing their details for post-conference follow-ups.

Heartwarming moments came when several of our current partners approached us, offering unsolicited testimonials about the positive impact of our program. Their enthusiasm about our upcoming expansion plans was the icing on the cake.

In conclusion, as we reflect on our partnership with TRIO programs through COE, we're filled with gratitude and anticipation. Grateful for the trust, the collaborations, and the shared successes so far. Anticipating a future where, together, we continue to make college dreams accessible and achievable for every deserving student.

Here's to forging stronger bonds and scaling greater heights together! ????

To learn more about our new and improved ONTRACK, please visit: https://www.uif.org/myontrack/

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