Micheale has been a participant in the Augsburg College TRiO/SSS program since the summer of 2010 where he participated in their Summer Bridge program. His advisor, Melody Geiger states that Micheale exemplifies the attributes of a “model” TRiO student; strength, perseverance, self discipline and motivation. These attributes have helped him to overcome challenging life circumstances which could have prevented him from reaching his goal of a college education. With the help of TRiO Micheale has overcome many of these obstacles.

In December of his senior year of high school Micheale became homeless and was without the support of his parents. However, that summer he attended the 2010 Augsburg Summer Bridge program which fortunately provided him temporary shelter. Micheale immersed himself in the challenging and time consuming program, taking two intense summer courses receiving 3.0 and 3.5 as final grades in his first two college courses!

As an Augsburg student, Micheale has actively participated in SSS, he has been a participant in the Pan Afrikan Student Union, has worked on campus and been a year round participant in Augsburg Cross Country and Track. His major is Sociology and he works as a Sociology tutor and test proctor.

 Kristell is an alumna of the St. Olaf TRiO Educational Talent Search (ETS) and the UMN TRiO Upward Bound (UB) programs, and currently participates in both TRiO Student Support Services and TRiO McNair Scholars program at St. Olaf College.

Kristell is currently a junior at St. Olaf majoring in Political Science and Spanish. Her nominator, Melissa Hinderscheit states that “Kristell has impressed her as an extremely responsible, intelligent, and inquisitive young woman. She perseveres as a first-generation and low-income college student and maintains active involvement in campus activities and community outreach, while achieving high academics in her coursework.”

Kristell currently serves as Diversity Celebrations Committee Coordinator for the St. Olaf Student Government, Office Assistant for the Multicultural Affairs and Cultural Outreach Office, and Vice President of the St. Olaf Women’s Empowerment Honor House. Her goal is to obtain a Ph.D in Comparative Politics and become a professor by giving back and advocating for disadvataged populations. Kristell WILL GO ON to do GREAT things for her TRiO community!

Julie Jo is in her second year of general education credits at Central Lakes College. She is planning to graduate with her Associate in Arts Degree in the Spring of 2012 and then transfer to the College of St. Scholasticia to major in Social Work.

Julie Jo is a non traditional student who started college in 1998, and was unable to complete her degree. However, in 2010, she returned to college and decided to attend full time, which was a major life change from managing her family. As a participant of the TRiO Student Support Services she has taken full advantage of the services offered by attending every activity and workshop offered. Sue Austin, her Advisor and nominator, has shared that Julie Jo said “Why wouldn’t everyone want to be in SSS/TRiO, I’m not sure I would have made it full time without you.” By being such a promoter of the TRiO program she was hired as a student worker/tutor in the TRiO department. She tells the TRiO participants every day “If I can do this, you can do this.”

Last fall semester, Julie Jo was asked to represent Central Lakes Colleges’ student body as a panel member representing students on Governor Dayton’s Economic Forum. She is thriving in the college environment and is a great representative of TRiO success!