Milestones of Impact: Division Contributions and Leadership Legacy
Purpose:
This report highlights significant events, funding achievements, and public recognitions that underscore the impact of Federal TRIO Programs at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). It serves to document the contributions of TRIO programs to student success and institutional goals.
Significant Events:
- 2024: GVSU is awarded $619,010 to host a TRIO Priority 4 Training grant. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) this grant will enhance the skills and knowledge of project directors and staff employed in TRIO programs nationwide. This makes the 12th TRIO grant hosted by GVSU.
- 2024: Dr. Gaines receives AP Achievement Award.
- 2023: Dr. Gaines is selected to serve on the President’s Council.
- 2022: GVSU earns the designation of a First-Gen Forward Institution, joining 268 designated institutions across the nation that are committed to supporting first-generation student success.
- 2022: GVSU receives three five-year DOE grants: TRIO Upward Bound-Detroit, Upward Bound Math Science-Detroit, and Upward Bound Math Science-Wyoming. Increasing TRIO programs at GVSU from eight to eleven. Grand Valley State University’s TRIO Federal Programs establishes a presence in SE MI. In combination, these three grant were funded for 5-years receiving a total of $4,485,570.
- 2021: GVSU receives the Laker Educational Opportunity Center grant awarded by the Department of Education - expanding the number of TRIO programs from seven to eight.
- 2021: Dr. Nykia Gaines was named Associate Vice President for Federal TRIO Programs.
- 2020: As part of a reorganization, the Federal TRIO Programs were integrated into the Division of Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach, under the leadership of Vice President B. Donta Truss.
Additional Grants & Funding:
- 2024: GVSU’s Upward Bound programs are awarded $357,840 for the Michigan Department of Education Out-of-School Time (OST) grant. This is the second consecutive award from the MDOE.
- 2024: Laker Educational Opportunity Center receives the COE Financial Aid Workshop grant for $2,000. The purpose of this grant is to provide financial aid program services to parents and students who have not completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
- 2024: GVSU received, a $286,000 Michigan Department of Education Out-of-School Time (OST) Grant for Upward Bound Grand Rapids, Upward Bound Math Science – Wyoming, Upward Bound – Detroit, and Upward Bound Math Science – Detroit with the purpose of providing additional programming to UB students and provide services to other students in our target schools.
- 2024: GVSU’s Federal TRIO programs, the Admissions and Recruitment Office, and the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships received the Michigan College Access Network’s FAFSA Frenzy Grant for $30,000. The grant was used to support incoming and returning college students in completing their FAFSA applications.
- 2023: GVSU welcomed $25,000 from Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI) for UB GR seniors who participate in Mercantile Bank financial literacy programming to be used for college expenses. This was the first year of a 3-year, $75,000 commitment.
- 2023: GVSU received another $10,000 from Mercantile Bank for all UB GR students who participate in Mercantile Bank financial literacy programming. The funds were prioritized as stipend matching that students would save until they graduated to help pay for expenses as they transition to college.
- 2022: $10,000 was received from Mercantile Bank for all UB GR students who participate in Mercantile Bank financial literacy programming. The funds were prioritized as stipend matching that students would save until they graduated to help pay for expenses as they transition to college.
- 2021: The Upward Bound Grand Rapids partnership with Mercantile Bank continued and UB GR received $10,000 for program participants who participated in the bank’s financial literacy programming. The funds were prioritized as stipend matching that students would save until they graduated to help pay for expenses as they transition to college.
- 2020: Senior and Assistant Directors for Pre-College Programs established a partnership with Mercantile Bank to support their Upward Bound Grand Rapids students. In 2020, they received $5,000 from Mercantile Bank for UB GR graduates to assist with expenses as they transition to college (i.e. laptop, dorm room supplies, first tuition payment, etc.)
TRIO in the News:
- November 12th, 2024: “TRIO Students in Detroit learn importance of voting”
- September 17th, 2024: “34 Michigan post-secondary institutions participated in MVAA’s 3rd annual Veteran-Friendly Schools Innovation Conference” (Veterans Upward Bound)
- August 20th, 2024: “TRIO Upward Bound: Developing a college-going culture”
- June 11th, 2024: "TRIO Detroit students travel to Windsor for first international experience”
- April 23, 2024: “Gaines earns AP Achievement Award”
- May 23, 2024: “Financial institutions invest time, funds in TRIO Upward Bound seniors”
- February 22, 2024: “Grand Valley's National TRIO Day celebration is focus on connections, resources”
- January 11, 2024: “Two GVSU outreach programs receive state funding to expand services”
- November 8, 2023: “TRIO programs celebrate students during First-Gen Day”
- March 28, 2023: “GRPS principal shares journey as first-generation student at TRIO celebration”
- March 9, 2023: “New Detroit TRIO programs find success in community, schools”
- October 31, 2022: “GVSU receives grants to establish two TRIO Upward Bound Math-Science programs in Detroit, Wyoming”
- May 23, 2024: “Financial institutions invest time, funds in TRIO Upward Bound seniors”
- February 24, 2022: “Staff at TRIO pre-college program are on 'front lines' at area schools, providing resources and guidance to students”
- July 30, 2021: “Facing teacher shortage, TRIO program focuses on recruiting, preparing future educators”
- July 15, 2021: “Back on campus: TRIO Upward Bound wraps summer program, sees scholarship success”
