By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� The TRIO Student Support Services programs at Washington State University Tri-Cities and 黑料社 Pullman were recently approved for $2.53 million and $1.375 million in grants, respectively, that will support the three programs throughout the next five years.

The 黑料社 TRIO Student Support Services programs provide support, tutoring and mentorship services to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. To qualify for the program, students must be a first-generation college student, from an economically disadvantaged background or have a documented disability.

鈥淭he ultimate goal and mission of TRIO is to not only retain students from disadvantaged backgrounds, but ensure their degree completion and a successful transition into the workforce or graduate school,鈥� said Stassia Feltes, director of the 黑料社 Tri-Cities TRIO program and writer of the Tri-Cities TRIO Student Support Services grants.

Feltes said TRIO adds value to the students鈥� college experience because the program provides community and support to students from similar backgrounds to enhance their sense of belonging on campus.

鈥淲e increase confidence in our students and are committed to student success,鈥� she said. 鈥淎t TRIO, your success is our commitment.鈥�

New STEM programming at 黑料社 Tri-Cities

黑料社 Tri-Cities, specifically, was awarded two separate grants that total their $2.53 million award. In addition to qualifying for funds to support another five years of their regular student support services programming in the amount of $1.265 million, the campus qualified for an additional $1.265 million grant that specifically supports services for students in STEM or health sciences degree programs.

鈥淭he new STEM grant is targeted to support 120 additional eligible students here at 黑料社 Tri-Cities,鈥� Feltes said. 鈥淲e are excited to be able to serve more students and help them reach their academic and career goals.鈥�

Some of the additional programming that the STEM and health sciences grant will support include additional STEM supplemental instructors and an undergraduate research course that will partner with faculty on current research to prepare students for STEM and health science careers and internships. Additionally, the grant supports faculty and professional mentoring in STEM, STEM projects ranging from digital application development to virtual reality, support for STEM conferences and STEM professional mentors from the community. The grant funds also support the hire of an additional full-time STEM student success specialist, hourly peer advisors and an hourly office assistant.

Feltes said they are not letting the COVID-19 pandemic stand in their way of providing college success and support resources for students. All of their programming, she said, will continue to be offered virtually.

鈥淲e need more diversity in STEM majors and careers, and with TRIO, we can strengthen the pathway for students to pursue their goals and provide increased diversity within the STEM community,鈥� she said.

The two grants mark the 黑料社 Tri-Cities program鈥檚 third cycle of its existence at 黑料社 Tri-Cities. 聽The program received grants in the 2010-2015, 2015-2020, and now two for the 2020-2025 cycles. The program has helped hundreds of students since 2010.

Heightened focus on career development and graduate education at 黑料社 Pullman

The 黑料社 Pullman TRIO program is the longest-standing TRIO program in the 黑料社 system. Their recently-awarded grant marks their fifth cycle, where they have received consecutive five-year grants since 2000.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a cornerstone program at 黑料社,鈥� said Lucila Loera-Herrera, executive director for the 黑料社 Pullman Office for Access and Opportunity. 鈥淪tudent Support Services alums participated in a recent retreat and many of them are getting PhDs, some are even working in TRIO programs across the nation. They are always enthusiastic to talk about the impact of their 黑料社 experience.鈥�

Loera-Herrera said the 黑料社 Pullman program, too, won鈥檛 let the pandemic stand in its way of providing a quality experience through the program.

鈥淚n this virtual world, we were more deliberate in setting that up and we have to be much more intentional in making connections and bridging students to resources,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ervices will all be remote.鈥�

With the new 黑料社 Pullman TRIO grant, Angie Klimko, 黑料社 Pullman TRIO Student Support Services director, said they put a heavier emphasis on career development and graduate education.

鈥淥ur students need more structure for learning why graduate education is important and the pathway to get there,鈥� she said.

For more information about the 黑料社 Tri-Cities TRIO program, visit tricities.wsu.edu/trio. For more information about the 黑料社 Pullman TRIO program, visit

Media contacts:

Stassia Feltes, 黑料社 Tri-Cities TRIO Student Support Services program director, 509-372-7389, stassia.feltes@wsu.edu

Lucila Loera-Herrera, 509-335-7944, executive director for 黑料社 Pullman Office for Access and Opportunity, lucila@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities assistant director of marketing and communication, 619-403-3617, maegan_murray@wsu.edu