Student support programs highlighted in April

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Important student support programs will be honored around the nation in April and The Evergreen State College plans to make a day of it - featuring musical performances, student speakers and a keynote address.

TRIO Day at Evergreen is slated for April 12 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the college's Longhouse Education and Cultural Center. It is open to the public and free of charge.

In 1965, Congress created a series of programs designed to make higher education accessible to first generation college students and low-income students. This original series of three became known as the TRIO programs (although now there are five). Evergreen hosts two of the TRIO programs, Upward Bound and KEY.

The keynote speaker at the event is educator and motivational speaker Dr. Gary Jones.

At Evergreen, Upward Bound has been serving low-income high school students from the Tacoma , Shelton and Lacey areas since 1977. Upward Bound provides students with academic support services, cultural awareness, career guidance and access to campus life and college programs. Over the past 29 years, Evergreen's Upward Bound program has served more than 1200 students. For the past ten years at least 90 percent of participants graduated from high school and more than 80 percent of them enrolled in college.

In 1979, KEY Student Support Services began serving low-income students, first generation college students, and students with disabilities. The program provides academic support and individual assistance to help students stay in college and graduate.  Each year, 200 Evergreen students participate - and benefit from - KEY's comprehensive support services. KEY Students graduate from Evergreen at a rate of over 90 percent.

For more information, contact KEY Student Services at (360) 867-6464. Campus parking is $1.25.