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News Release

Washington State University, Tri-Cities Celebrates 40th Annual National TRIO Day, Honoring Student Achievement And Educational Opportunity - 02/19/26

Richland, WA —Washington State University Tri-Cities will join colleges and universities across the United States in celebrating the 40th annual National TRIO Day which falls on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, recognizing the transformative impact of the Federal TRIO Programs and honoring the achievements of first-generation, income-eligible students, students with disabilities, and veterans pursuing higher education.

 

Established by Congress in 1986, National TRIO Day encourages communities to focus on educational access, academic persistence, and the power of college opportunity to change lives and strengthen the nation. This event celebrates the work of the Federal TRIO Programs, which were first created through the landmark Higher Education Act to remove barriers to postsecondary education.

 

As part of the celebration, Washington State University Tri-Cities’ TRIO SSS programs will host a recognition ceremony and networking event, on from 9 – 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 27 in the Consolidated Information Center room 120. The event will honor students’ accomplishments, alumni will share their success stories, and campus leadership will highlight ongoing support for student achievement. The event will bring together students, alumni, campus leaders, and community partners to highlight success stories, deepen public understanding of TRIO’s mission, and promote a culture of educational opportunity.

 

“TRIO students are driven scholars, engaging with real-world problems, and preparing themselves to make a lasting impact in their fields and communities,” said Alondra Castaneda, program director for TRIO SSS Classic, STEM and Health Science Programs “National TRIO Day is our opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments, acknowledge their hard work, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every student has the support and resources to achieve their academic and career goals.”

 

“For forty years, National TRIO Day has served as a powerful reminder that talent is universal, but opportunity is not,” said Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE). “This milestone year honors the millions of students and alumni who have turned their dreams into degrees, careers, and lifelong contributions to their communities. As we celebrate this anniversary, we recommit ourselves to protecting and strengthening TRIO so future generations can continue to thrive.”

 

WSU Tri-Cities currently serves 260 TRIO students through Student Support Services. TRIO programs provide academic guidance, tutoring, advising, mentoring, college readiness services, financial aid support, and career development opportunities for eligible students.

 

Nationally, TRIO serves more than 800,000 individuals each year, including middle school, high school, and college students, adult learners, veterans, and graduate scholars.

 

National TRIO Day began in 1986 when Congress passed a resolution recognizing the Federal TRIO Programs and calling for a National Day of Celebration, community service, and advocacy in support of students who face systemic barriers to higher education. This year marks the fortieth annual National TRIO Day and celebrates the legacy of programs that have helped more than six million students earn college degrees.

 

For more information about WSU Tri-Cities’ National TRIO Day events or to learn more about TRIO services on campus, please contact TRIO Student Support Services at tricities.trio@wsu.edu.

Washington State University, Tri-Cities Celebrates 40th Annual National TRIO Day, Honoring Student Achievement And Educational Opportunity - 02/19/26

Richland, WA —Washington State University Tri-Cities will join colleges and universities across the United States in celebrating the 40th annual National TRIO Day which falls on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, recognizing the transformative impact of the Federal TRIO Programs and honoring the achievements of first-generation, income-eligible students, students with disabilities, and veterans pursuing higher education.

 

Established by Congress in 1986, National TRIO Day encourages communities to focus on educational access, academic persistence, and the power of college opportunity to change lives and strengthen the nation. This event celebrates the work of the Federal TRIO Programs, which were first created through the landmark Higher Education Act to remove barriers to postsecondary education.

 

As part of the celebration, Washington State University Tri-Cities’ TRIO SSS programs will host a recognition ceremony and networking event, on from 9 – 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 27 in the Consolidated Information Center room 120. The event will honor students’ accomplishments, alumni will share their success stories, and campus leadership will highlight ongoing support for student achievement. The event will bring together students, alumni, campus leaders, and community partners to highlight success stories, deepen public understanding of TRIO’s mission, and promote a culture of educational opportunity.

 

“TRIO students are driven scholars, engaging with real-world problems, and preparing themselves to make a lasting impact in their fields and communities,” said Alondra Castaneda, program director for TRIO SSS Classic, STEM and Health Science Programs “National TRIO Day is our opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments, acknowledge their hard work, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every student has the support and resources to achieve their academic and career goals.”

 

“For forty years, National TRIO Day has served as a powerful reminder that talent is universal, but opportunity is not,” said Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE). “This milestone year honors the millions of students and alumni who have turned their dreams into degrees, careers, and lifelong contributions to their communities. As we celebrate this anniversary, we recommit ourselves to protecting and strengthening TRIO so future generations can continue to thrive.”

 

WSU Tri-Cities currently serves 260 TRIO students through Student Support Services. TRIO programs provide academic guidance, tutoring, advising, mentoring, college readiness services, financial aid support, and career development opportunities for eligible students.

 

Nationally, TRIO serves more than 800,000 individuals each year, including middle school, high school, and college students, adult learners, veterans, and graduate scholars.

 

National TRIO Day began in 1986 when Congress passed a resolution recognizing the Federal TRIO Programs and calling for a National Day of Celebration, community service, and advocacy in support of students who face systemic barriers to higher education. This year marks the fortieth annual National TRIO Day and celebrates the legacy of programs that have helped more than six million students earn college degrees.

 

For more information about WSU Tri-Cities’ National TRIO Day events or to learn more about TRIO services on campus, please contact TRIO Student Support Services at tricities.trio@wsu.edu.