Rooted in Justice: Celebrating the creation, legacy, and ongoing impact of TRIO

About the event

Washington State University is honored to welcome Dr. Arnold Mitchem as the keynote speaker for National TRIO Day. Dr. Mitchem, the president emeritus of the Council for Opportunity in Education, will speak to the WSU community about the history, legacy, and ongoing impact of TRIO.

The story of TRIO is a story of social justice in action, from policy to practice. From its inception in 1964, TRIO has created programming and services for low-income and first-generation students, as well as students with disabilities, that have helped them thrive in college and beyond. WSU has a strong TRIO legacy and is currently a national leader in TRIO programming, with 18 programs serving nearly 2,800 students around the system.

The WSU community is invited to celebrate the legacy of TRIO as Dr. Mitchem chronicles its history and impact nationwide – and shares why TRIO matters to everyone.

About the Speaker

Dr. Mitchem has been a voice for low-income, first-generation students and individuals with disabilities his entire career. Thanks to his work, the federally funded TRIO Programs have expanded by nearly 400 percent since their inception in 1964 and now serve more than 872,000 students at 1,200 colleges and universities.

Dr. Mitchem began his career on the history faculty at Marquette University in Milwaukee and was named the Director of the Educational Opportunity Program in 1969. He relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1986 to serve as President of the Council for Opportunity in Education until October 2013. He has been awarded honorary doctorates from 11 universities.