On March 21-24, two Vermont Educational Opportunity Program Alumni, and several TRIO staff, attended the 42nd annual Policy Seminar in Washington D.C. TRIO Upward Bound alumna Mia Hawlk, and VSAC Talent Search Alumnus Jack Gallagher represented Vermont at this year’s annual event hosted by the Council for Opportunity in Education, in support of the nation’s educational opportunity programs. This year, more than 600 advocates for TRIO college access and support programs took to Capitol Hill to fight for the TRIO and GEAR UP programs. Specifically, they urged Congress to allocate an additional $170 Million for TRIO programs in the budget proposal for FY23, which would allow TRIO programs to serve a total of 1 million students nationally. Vermont TRIO Staff and Alumni met with the education aides from Congressman Peter Welch, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Senator Patrick Leahy’s offices, as well as Senator Sanders himself. The alumni spoke passionately about how their participation in Vermont’s TRIO programs impacted their college matriculation and completion.
The first days of this conference featured workshops designed to educate participants on issues of the federal budget and their potential impact of future funding proposals for the Federal TRIO programs, and to prepare for meeting with the Vermont delegation on Capitol Hill. In addition to these workshops participants also heard directly from several important members of Congress including Representatives from many different states. They shared their outlooks on the current state of TRIO and GEAR Up, as well as a positive mindset moving forward.
Mia Hawlk (to the right of Senator Sanders) was a member of the Lyndon State College (now Northern Vermont University – Lyndon) Upward Bound program from 2000-2003 and took advantage of the opportunities offered by the program to pushed herself academically, develop important leadership skills, learn how to navigate the college application process, and develop college and career goals. “[UB] not only shaped my college trajectory, it has influenced the way I view the disparity in access to education and the importance of support systems for all students. Neither of my parents held a college degree, and as a family we knew that if I wanted to attend college we would need help. We had no idea just how complicated the college application and financial aid processes would be. Thankfully, the Upward Bound team not only helped us with the administrative process, but they invested two summers in me.” Mia not only went on to graduate from Hofstra with a bachelor’s degree, she has since earned a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Today, as the director of MBA online programs for the University of Connecticut, Mia has been able to fight for underrepresented students and create meaningful relationships to help students reach their full potential. Not only has she worked to create an alternative structure for MBA admissions decisions that promotes a more holistic approach to reviewing non-traditional work and educational experiences of applicants, but she also helped launch an online MBA program. Which, in its first year has attracted a higher percentage of female and minority candidates. Mia’s story is not unlike the stories of thousands of other first generation college graduates
Jack Gallagher was a participant in the VSAC Talent Search program starting in middle school, working with Matt Beagle Bourgault at Milton Middle and High Schools. He attended Berea College where he earned a Bachelors degree in Political Science. He was on the speech and debate team and was awarded Kentucky state debate champion during his Sophomore year. He was involved in student government, getting elected as a class senator as early as his Freshman year, and served as a Hall leader. Jack also took his interest in government off campus, working with voter outreach to get more people to vote and moderating a mayoral forum and a city council forum. Said Jack: “My time with VSAC, and at Berea College with other students who all have the same backgrounds and stories, has taught me that all most people are missing is the means and opportunity. I’m incredibly thankful those have been afforded to me and I firmly believe my case isn’t a unique one. I’m grateful for that first investment from VSAC that has allowed me to achieve my academic goals and set me down the path of my financial ones.”