Let’s Talk TRIO
A podcast dedicated to the TRIO programs across the United States and its territories. TRIO programs are federally funded outreach initiatives that promote college access, equity, and success. The podcast highlights stories from staff, participants, alumni, and advocates from various TRIO programs (Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, Veteran’s Upward Bound, Student Support Services, McNair Program, Educational Opportunity Centers).
Listen on:
Episodes
Episodes
Friday Mar 07, 2025
Friday Mar 07, 2025
Ever wondered what drives someone to dedicate their career to empowering first-generation college students? This episode answers that question with Paulia D. Williams, the award-winning Gamecock Guarantee Coordinator at USC. Discover the personal story behind her passion for TRIO, and find out what it means to be recognized as the 2024 Dennis A. Pruitt Outstanding Advocate for First-Year Students. Prepare to be inspired by her journey and the powerful work she does.
Follow Paulia’s Instagram: @triopropaulia
Community Announcement Links:
COE’s 2025 Policy Seminar
NCCU TRIO Student Access and Success Conference
A heartfelt thanks to our individual donors and Patrons on Patreon
Dr. Jamie Motley
Dr. Ryan Barone
Dr. Jeff Nepute
Angelica Vialpando
Angelica Valdez
Rosario Riley
Eric LaMaster
Jeff Kahlden
Felicia Rivera
Jaded Electronics
A huge thanks to our corporate sponsors
TRIOjoblist.com
NOSOTROS Education Center (NEC)
TheTRIOstore.com powered by Proforma
StudentAccess
Cover Art and Voice Over Work
Cover Art: Raul Perez
Voice Over Ad for StudentAccess: Amelia Castaneda
Voice Over Ad for NOSOTROS Education Center: Karla Sandoval
The Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Team
John Russell: Music Composer, Music Performer, Audio Engineer, and Post-Production Editor
Amelia Castaneda: Script Supervisor, Marketing Manager, Social Manager, and Producer
Juan M. Rivas: Executive Producer & Host
Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram
Visit the Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Webpage
Friday Feb 28, 2025
Friday Feb 28, 2025
This week's guest is Jamie McDowell! A graduate student at Colorado State University studying Student Affairs in Higher Education, Jamie is also a proud first-generation graduate and TRIO alum of the ACE program. She's a Provost Fellowship research recipient, Spirit of ACE award winner, and undergraduate woman leader nominee. Tune in to hear Jamie's incredible story of perseverance, the impact of TRIO on her success, and her advice for current and future TRIO students.
Community Announcement Links:
COE’s 2025 Policy Seminar
NCCU TRIO Student Access and Success Conference
A heartfelt thanks to our individual donors and Patrons on Patreon
Dr. Jamie Motley
Dr. Ryan Barone
Dr. Jeff Nepute
Angelica Vialpando
Angelica Valdez
Rosario Riley
Eric LaMaster
Jeff Kahlden
Felicia Rivera
Jaded Electronics
A huge thanks to our corporate sponsors
TRIOjoblist.com
NOSOTROS Education Center (NEC)
TheTRIOstore.com powered by Proforma
StudentAccess
Cover Art and Voice Over Work
Cover Art: Raul Perez
Voice Over Ad for StudentAccess: Amelia Castaneda
Voice Over Ad for NOSOTROS Education Center: Karla Sandoval
The Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Team
John Russell: Music Composer, Music Performer, Audio Engineer, and Post-Production Editor
Amelia Castaneda: Script Supervisor, Marketing Manager, Social Manager, and Producer
Juan M. Rivas: Executive Producer & Host
Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram
Visit the Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Webpage
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Monday Feb 24, 2025
This is a paid partnership episode by our sponsor, NOSOTROS Education Center. While the episode showcases our sponsor's services, we believe that the episode also contains valuable information relevant to the TRIO community (free webinars, resources, and more).
Lisa Retamozo, Director and Founder, is on the podcast to share upcoming workshops on: TRIO staff trainings, grant writing, Annual Performance Reports, Program Restructuring, Policy and Procedure Manuals, and so much more. Lisa also goes over resources that have help TRIO programs enhance their services and position them for success.
LINKS
NOSOTROS Education Center: https://www.nosotrosedu.org/
Upcoming Proposal Writing Workshops: https://www.nosotrosedu.org/proposal-writing-workshops
NEC Webinars: https://www.nosotrosedu.org/shop
NEC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NOSOTROSEducationCenter
CONTACT
Email: info@nosotrosedu.org
(469) 450-7137
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Changing lives, one student at a time. Meet the dedicated TRIO Upward Bound team at the University of Montana-Missoula on this episode of Let's Talk TRIO. Xavier Xtravaganza, Jonathan Carter, and Dannette Fadness reveal what drives them to support students on their path to higher education and share inspiring stories from the front lines.
Community Announcement Links:
COE’s 2025 Policy Seminar
NCCU TRIO Student Access and Success Conference
A heartfelt thanks to our individual donors and Patrons on Patreon
Dr. Jamie Motley
Dr. Ryan Barone
Dr. Jeff Nepute
Angelica Vialpando
Angelica Valdez
Rosario Riley
Eric LaMaster
Jeff Kahlden
Felicia Rivera
Jaded Electronics
A huge thanks to our corporate sponsors
TRIOjoblist.com
NOSOTROS Education Center (NEC)
TheTRIOstore.com powered by Proforma
TRIO@PROFORMAGREEN.COM
StudentAccess
Cover Art and Voice Over Work
Cover Art: Raul Perez
Voice Over Ad for StudentAccess: Amelia Castaneda
Voice Over Ad for NOSOTROS Education Center: Karla Sandoval
The Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Team
John Russell: Music Composer, Music Performer, Audio Engineer, and Post-Production Editor
Amelia Castaneda: Script Supervisor, Marketing Manager, Social Manager, and Producer
Juan M. Rivas: Executive Producer & Host
Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram
Visit the Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Webpage
Friday Feb 14, 2025
Friday Feb 14, 2025
What happens when a TRIO student becomes a TRIO leader? Find out on this episode of Let's Talk TRIO! We catch up with Daniela Garcia, now Director of Upward Bound at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, to hear how TRIO impacted her life and how she's now paying it forward. It's a story of transformation you won't want to miss.
A heartfelt thanks to our individual donors and Patrons on Patreon
Dr. Jamie Motley
Dr. Ryan Barone
Dr. Jeff Nepute
Angelica Vialpando
Angelica Valdez
Rosario Riley
Eric LaMaster
Jeff Kahlden
Felicia Rivera
Jaded Electronics
A huge thanks to our corporate sponsors
TRIOjoblist.com
NOSOTROS Education Center (NEC)
TheTRIOstore.com powered by Proforma
Email: TRIO@proformagreen.com
StudentAccess
Cover Art and Voice Over Work
Cover Art: Raul Perez
Voice Over Ad for StudentAccess: Amelia Castaneda
Voice Over Ad for NOSOTROS Education Center: Karla Sandoval
The Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Team
John Russell: Music Composer, Music Performer, Audio Engineer, and Post-Production Editor
Amelia Castaneda: Script Supervisor, Marketing Manager, Social Manager, and Producer
Juan M. Rivas: Executive Producer & Host
Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram
Visit the Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Webpage
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Juan's opinion on the attempt to freeze the budgets of many federal programs which could have potential affects on TRIO. This move by the Trump Administration was blocked by a federal judge and, ultimately, the administration rescinded the memo.
To support the work and mission of TRIO, make a donation to the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE).
TRIO Alumni! Sign-up to be part of the TRIO Alumni Network through the National TRIO Alumni Association.
To support the TRIO community in Los Angeles affected by the fires, click here.
Find your U.S. Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Find your U.S. Senator: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
The Let's Talk TRIO podcast is not affiliated with the Council for Opportunity in Education, The National TRIO Alumni Association, or Colorado State University. All opinions are of the host, Juan M. Rivas.
Friday Jan 24, 2025
Friday Jan 24, 2025
SEASON 6 FINALE! Hear from Nelsy Montes-Romero, a current TRIO Student Support Services participant at California State University-Monterey Bay. Nelsy joins us to share her inspiring journey, including her academic progress, exciting personal experiences, and how TRIO is supporting her on her path to success.
A heartfelt thanks to our individual supporters:
Dr. Jamie Motley
Dr. Jeff Nepute
Dr. Ryan Barone
Rosario Riley
Angelica Vialpando
Angelica Valdez
Felicia Rivera
Eric LaMaster
Jeff Kahlden
Jaded Electronics/Software
A huge thanks to our corporate sponsors:
StudentAccess
TRIOjoblist.com
The TRIO Store powered by Proforma
Website: https://www.thetriostore.com/category
Email: TRIO@proformagreen.com
NOSOTROS Education Center
Support the podcast:
Patreon: Let’s Talk TRIO (monthly support)
Corporate Sponsorship (sponsor packages available): letstalktrio@gmail.com
Make a One-time Donation via PayPal
Art and Voice Overs
Raul Perez: Cover Art
Karla Sandoval: Voice over ad for NOSOTROS Education Center
Amelia Castaneda: Voice over ad for StudentAccess
The Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Team
John Russell: Audio Engineer, Music composer, music producer, music performer, and post-production editor
Amelia Castaneda: Script Supervisor, Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, and Producer
Juan M. Rivas: Executive Producer & Host
Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Visit the Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Website
Friday Jan 17, 2025
Friday Jan 17, 2025
From Poverty to the World Stage: Michael Dillard, a TRIO Upward Bound alum, shares his incredible journey. This 'accidental' diplomat, author of "Accidental Success," reveals how education transformed his life. Learn how TRIO Upward Bound helped him navigate college, discover his passion for finance, and ultimately, find his voice on the global stage. Listen now!
Contact our Guest, Michael Dillard, for Speaking Engagements (book a free 30-minute call!):
Website: https://www.madillard.com/
This podcast episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Let’s Talk TRIO or its host. This episode does not constitute financial, investment, or tax advice. You should consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions. Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
A heartfelt thanks to our individual supporters:
Dr. Jamie Motley
Dr. Jeff Nepute
Dr. Ryan Barone
Rosario Riley
Angelica Vialpando
Angelica Valdez
Felicia Rivera
Eric LaMaster
Jeff Kahlden
Jaded Electronics/Software
A huge thanks to our corporate sponsors:
StudentAccess
TRIOjoblist.com
The TRIO Store powered by Proforma
Website: https://www.thetriostore.com/category
Email: TRIO@proformagreen.com
NOSOTROS Education Center
Support the podcast:
Patreon: Let’s Talk TRIO (monthly support)
Corporate Sponsorship (sponsor packages available): letstalktrio@gmail.com
Make a One-time Donation via PayPal
Art and Voice Overs
Raul Perez: Cover Art
Karla Sandoval: Voice over ad for NOSOTROS Education Center
Amelia Castaneda: Voice over ad for StudentAccess
The Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Team
John Russell: Audio Engineer, Music composer, music producer, music performer, and post-production editor
Amelia Castaneda: Script Supervisor, Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, and Producer
Juan M. Rivas: Executive Producer & Host
Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook
Visit the Let’s Talk TRIO Podcast Website