TRIO Program Analysis

In the first months of college, I wasn’t so sure if I wanted to pursue architecture, finance, or engineering; I was utterly lost, unlike many of my peers. Over the months, I pondered on what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Then, I realized I was never interested in obtaining a job where I would sit at a desk and stare at some numbers on a computer screen for 9 hours every day. Through my daily routine and utilization of time, I realized I found less joy in the courses I applied least outside of the classroom, yet was intrigued that with the many hours I worked in the studio. I could work on a skill in which I could use in the career I wanted; a path in which I could leave a legacy through molding the world the way I wanted to see

Throughout my life as a child and teenager, I was told by my parents that they worked really hard to get to the safe town and community that we lived in. Growing up in Pacific Grove, California gave me lots opportunities that I didn’t even know I obtained. Unless it had happened to me personally, I didn’t really understand the full picture of what others had to go through. Having dyslexia, the only subject I felt I really excelled in was art. After high school, I still had no idea what I wanted to do for a career or even a major. Monterey Peninsula College has boosted my confidence by showing me that I can be and do much more. Two years ago I would never have guessed that I would be applying to the University of Washington.

As a recent graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art and Design focusing on art history and education, the position as Education Coordinator and Advisor at Buena Vista University captured my attention as an opportunity to work with students through educational programming. As a recent college student, I provide a valuable perspective on academic advising through my own personal experiences. I have learned many advisors lack in truly connecting and catering to each student’s individual situation and needs. Buena Vista University, a relatively small area college, provides an opportunity to fully connect and provide personal one-on-one experience all students deserve. Subsequently, students gain the absolute most out of their college education. A large part of my career goals entail helping students of all ages engage, thrive and connect in their own individualized way.

We scheduled meetings and decided to make an appointment with the head of the Native American Culutral Center at Purdue University. After hearing that we were welcome to come to any event that they hosted, we decided to attend pottery classes. As we found out, most things are not what people assume when it comes to viewing things and learning. Getting involved with different cultures and throwing away those inhibitions makes you more diverse and opens up your mind to greater

When I stumbled across Hamilton College’s website, I saw that my ideas about an art-oriented liberal arts curriculum were exemplified. Upon reading about the opportunities offered at Hamilton, like the Wellin Museum, I could see myself living and learning there. I enjoy creating

The world is rough place full of suffering people and I want to help ease some of this suffering with art, and with MCAD's vision of transforming the world with creativity and purpose I believe this is something I can achieve. All of my art has been completed in my cramped room with only my mom to critique my works with MCAD's personal studio spaces and talented professors that put students first and encourage them to experimentation I believe I can really flourish and learn how to become a more skillful artist. Not only will MCAD help me grow as an artist but will help prepare me for the business side of having an art career with the MCAD DesignWorks program, having a very limited experience with the business side of art this is one part of MCAD that truly impresses me.

The direction of my art-making has changed considerably since I started my BFA at NSCAD. My path until then had not exposed me to many of the possibilities within the arts and my practice was quite limited. Almost every single professor here has impacted how I think and see the world around me. I have been given tools for critical thinking and techniques to express my ideas. I have been repeatedly, and sometimes reluctantly, forced out of complacency and comfort and this has always led to growth.

Since my enrollment in the Graphic Design Program at Ferris State University, I have confronted many challenges and have faced many adversities, all of which have helped me grow and develop my skills as a young designer. One of the many challenges I have been handed is gaining the financial stability to provide for my education. Although working while being a full-time student is helpful at times, it does not go without difficulties.

This experience has led me to take a giant leap of faith and explore an entire continent by myself. I studied abroad in Florence, Italy in my

• Students habituate the patterns, demeanors learned in the classroom to academic and professional life.

Academic experiences also count a lot because it helps open the doors to new possibilities and imaginations. I studied photography and visual arts at Emerson College, Massachusetts while venturing into film-making. My academic achievements along with first-hand experience as a freelancer earned me a place at the prestigious California Institute of Arts. Today, I travel the world on various assignments as a photojournalism and fine art

Cultural immersion has always been a desire of mine and joining a team of Broward College students and Faculty was my first true experience. I had traveled many times before with family but I adamantly believe that this trip set the tone for my intentions to travel. My first trip over the Atlantic was to Rome, Italy after watching Angels & Demons. I begged my mother to let me have a Tom Hanks moment in my life. There, the only Italians I met were the one taking my food orders or collecting my tour tickets. Part of the program in Mexico was to have daily conversations with people around the city. We had to get lost and find our way back by asking for directions, we had to learn how to send something in the post, if we needed our clothes washed

One of the interview questions for the coordinators asked for their definition of a successful TRIO Program. Both answers revolved around the idea of making TRIO services available for those students who at risk of falling through the cracks. Considering that TRIO participants are primarily first-generation students, both coordinators expressed the need to provide guidance at every stage of the students’ education. The goal of TRIO in one of the coordinators’ words, is to “provide the students with resources that they don’t already have… it’s just a matter of reaching into that population that isn’t taken into account because they are not exceling and are not an A+ student”.

As a student whose future career goals have a focus in the arts, this issue is especially sensitive to me. I have experienced first-hand just how little importance our schools place on the art programs they offer, because of this I feel like my high school arts education as well as college

My involvement in activities on campus has been able to help me succeed in my academics, leadership development, and community involvement. I have grown tremendously in the TRIO Program with the TRIO workshops. When I am in the computer lab, I have easy access to staff and tutors that can guide me and assist me. Their assistance has helped me win academic scholarships. The TRIO program has allowed me to gain leadership and teamwork skills, motivating me to be involved in my campus outside of the TRIO program. I am a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. I had a research conference at Anoka Ramsey in March and I had another one in the summer at Rochester Community and Technical College. This has given me the opportunity to travel to research