Broward College’s TRIO team earned third place at the recent Regional Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP) Debate Competition in Atlanta, GA.

The team had just two TRIO students who were able to attend the debate, Quan Tanksley and Natalie Sandoval, who worked tirelessly and competed against teams with more members from colleges and universities in eight states from the SAEOPP Region: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, to take home the honors.

This was the first time Broward College’s TRIO team participated in this regional competition; last fall they won first place against the University of South Florida in the State Debate Competition.

“Earning third place in a regional debate competition against such tough competition shows not only their mastery of the subject matter but also their ability to think critically, communicate effectively and work well as a team,” said Tyrri McCloud, Director, TRIO Student Support Services. “It's a significant achievement and a testament to their hard work and dedication. Measuring against teams with more members also highlights their efficiency and effectiveness in utilizing their resources. Overall, it's a remarkable accomplishment deserving of admiration and recognition.”

TRIO refers to a set of federal programs in the United States designed to provide support and resources to students from disadvantaged backgrounds to help them succeed in higher education. The TRIO programs were established as part of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and have since expanded to include several initiatives aimed at helping students overcome barriers to higher education.

Broward College currently has multiple TRIO programs that include six Student Support Services Programs; four Upward Bound Programs; two Talent Search Programs and an Educational Opportunity Center Program.

• Student Support Services Programs provide academic support, career counseling and tutoring to low-income, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities to help them stay in college and graduate.
• Upward Bound Programs provide academic support, college preparation and other services to high school students.
• Talent Search Programs identify and assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education.
• The Educational Opportunity Center provides counseling and information on college admissions, financial aid and career options to adults who wish to enter or re-enter higher education.
• According to McCloud, there are 780 Student Support Services participants enrolled at Broward College.

TRIO invites members of the Broward College community to get involved and support their initiatives. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or participation in upcoming events, the Broward College community’s involvement is crucial in fostering a culture of inclusivity and opportunity for all students. Visit https://www.broward.edu/about/community/trio/ for more information.

Additionally, TRIO would like the opportunity to visit classes during the summer and fall to recruit potential students and would appreciate the allocation of resources and various opportunities from community partners such as scholarships, internships, employment opportunities, professional clothing, gift cards, job shadowing, invitations to events and anything else that would support first generation and low-income students.