Five-year, $264,000 grant brings new TRIO program to Wichita State Five-year, $264,000 grant brings new TRIO program to Wichita State

Thanks to a five-year, $264,000 grant under the Upward Bound Program, Wichita State will now be home to its tenth TRIO program, the most of any U.S. university.

The grant will go toward the new TRIO Upward Bound Foster Care Empowerment Program (UBFCE), which serves Wichita West High School so eligible first generation, low-income, predominantly male high school students can increase their retention, graduate and continue their postsecondary education. Female participants are permitted to enroll in the program, with male participants as a priority.

The 60 students chosen will be provided with intensive academic and support services throughout the school year and summer. Program results will be analyzed using participants' academic performance and postsecondary educational pursuits.

Rhonda Hicks, Upward Bound / Wichita Prep director, will be in charge of the new program.

TRIO is a set of federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Programs serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs.