Three young women of color are sitting at TRIO booth on sunny day. One wears a jihab, the others have olive skin and long dark hair.

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About TRIO at Mission College

TRIO is responsible for increasing retention, graduation, and transfer rates of students that are first-generation in college, low income, and/or students with disabilities.

At Mission College, TRIO is comprised of two projects (TRIO & TRIO STEM) designed to meet your specific needs.

While TRIO "Classic" is open to all majors and supports students through graduation and transfer, TRIO STEM is designed to provide support for the needs and coursework specific to STEM majors. 

TRIO Program Vision

  • Four-year college and university tours.
  • Silicon Valley company tours and professional events.
  • Connection to a nation-wide network of TRIO students and alumni.
  • Mission offers a number of services for students in need, see our Mission Cares page for details.
History of TRIO

The history of TRIO is progressive. It began with Upward Bound, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to the administration's War on Poverty. In 1965, Talent Search, the second outreach program, was created as part of the Higher Education Act. In 1968, Student Support Services, which was originally known as Special Services for Disadvantaged Students, was authorized by the Higher Education Amendments and became the third in a series of educational opportunity programs. By the late 1960's, the term "TRIO" was coined to describe these federal programs.

At Mission College, the first TRIO Student Support Services grant was funded in 1996, serving 165 students each year. To meet an expanding student need, the TRIO STEM grant (a Student Support Services variant) was added in 2020, allowing the program to serve an additional 120 specifically pursuing STEM related majors. In total, TRIO is now funded to serve 285 students each academic year.

Service Area Outcomes

SAO 1: 82% of all participants served by TRIO  will persist from one academic year to the beginning of the next academic year, or earn an associate degree or certificate at Mission College, and/or transfer to a 4-year institution be the fall of the next academic year.

SAO 2: 90% of all enrolled TRIO participants served will meet the performance level required to remain in good academic standing at Mission College.

SAO 3: 30% of new TRIO participants served each year will graduate from Mission College with an associate degree or certificate within 4 years.

SAO 4: 25% of new TRIO participants served will receive an associate degree or certificate from Mission College and transfer to a 4-year institution within 4 years.