TRIO Grant

After Jaren Wallulatum graduated from high school in 2014 he enrolled in college, uncertain what career path to pursue. And like many first-generation students, he wasn’t sure where to go for support. Wallulatum eventually left school to enter the workforce. Two years later, he gave college another try — only this time with the support he had earlier lacked.

That help came from YVC’s TRIO Student Support Services, which provides low-income and first-generation students with academic support services such as tutoring, assistance with education plans, personal and career counseling, and book loans. In each of the next five years, 200 YVC students will benefit from access to TRIO’s services thanks to a new $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

TRIO helps students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education said Program Director Dustin Shattuck. And in taking down those barriers, TRIO ultimately helps increase students’ academic success, graduation rates and likelihood of transferring to four-year institutions.

“Finding TRIO made a huge difference for me in navigating the higher education system,” said Wallulatum, who graduated from YVC in 2019 and is now majoring in economics and public policy at Central Washington University. “It helped build a network of peers, instructors and college staff who I can reach out to for help.”