Anthony Sago, Highland’s Director of TRIO Services, has been elected as the new president of the Illinois TRIO Executive Council, serving for the next year. Sago served as President-Elect for the past year. After his term is up, he will remain on the council in an advisory role as past president for a year. This means Highland has a high-level representation for a total of three years.
“Serving as President of Illinois TRIO has allowed me to build relationships with regional and national leadership, receive firsthand information regarding the Department of Education and TRIO advocacy groups, and bring back best practices to our TRIO programs,” Sago said. “It wouldn’t be possible without the support of my supervisor and TRIO team.”
Sago adds, “It’s an honor to be chosen to lead an association that has over 50 years serving over 40,000 students. A few responsibilities as president are to fill all committee chair responsibilities and manage the budget. I am also currently serving another year on the regional Educational Opportunity Association executive board that covers ten regional states. In year three, when I’ll continue to serve as the immediate past president, I will still be a member of the executive board with voting power. My role will become more of an advisory position that leads elections.”
The Federal TRIO Programs are outreach and student services initiatives designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs. TRIO also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRIO projects.
Highland has three TRIO programs offering free services to the public: Student Support Services and Project Succeed, Upward Bound and Educational Opportunity Centers.
Student Support Services and Project Succeed provide a range of resources including counseling, academic instruction and additional guidance to students who may have been underrepresented in colleges in the past. Upward Bound serves high school students and their families who may face barriers to college related to class, culture, social mobility and academics. Lastly, The Educational Opportunity Centers at Highland bundle assistance and resources with admissions and financial aid for high school students, adults and veterans to attend the institution of their choice.
