Staff and alumnae from Vermont’s Trio programs attended Policy Seminar, hosted by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) in March. Attendees were briefed on issues facing Congress this year, including upcoming budget discussions that affect Trio, the re-authorization of the Higher Education Act and other proposed changes to federal law. Participants came from across the United States to advocate for their programs and for Trio programs overall.

On March 27th, the Vermont group visited Representative Peter Welch, Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Patrick Leahy. They were fortunate to get to meet each of them in person, as well as with their aides, to share stories of success and to ask for their continued support.

Participants from Vermont included:

Anne Kaplan, Counselor, Talent Search, VSAC
Matt Bourgault, Director, Talent Search, VSAC
Vanessa Santos, Alumna, Talent Search, VSAC
Rick Williams, Director, Upward Bound, NVU-Lyndon
Kaytlyn Oliver, Alumna, Upward Bound, NVU-Lyndon
Mikayla Royer, Alumna, Upward Bound, NVU-Lyndon
Karen Madden, Director, Student Support Services, NVU-Johnson
Erica Fuller, Assistant Director, Upward Bound, NVU-Johnson
Elaine Collins, President, NVU

Vermont Trio staff and alumnae with aides for Senator Bernie Sanders