McKEESPORT, Pa. — Helping students succeed in higher education takes more than getting them through the classroom door. It means connecting them with resources, guidance and people who believe in their potential. Two TRIO professionals at Penn State Greater Allegheny are bringing that commitment to statewide leadership roles with the Pennsylvania Association of TRIO Programs (PA TRIO).
Edward Jones, program specialist for The ACE Program (TRIO Student Support Services) at the Greater Allegheny campus, was elected PA TRIO secretary for a two-year term. Ashley Pesi, Penn State's assistant director of Upward Bound Programs, West, transitioned from president-elect to president of the association at the conclusion of its annual conference in Erie, held Oct. 6-9.
The federal TRIO programs are a group of educational initiatives funded by the U.S. Department of Education that help students overcome barriers to higher education by providing academic support, guidance and resources to pursue and complete college.
At the Greater Allegheny campus, The ACE Program is a federally funded TRIO Student Support Services program that helps first-generation college students, students from low-income families, and students with disabilities succeed in college. Through academic and other support, the program helps students navigate college and work toward their educational goals.
For Jones, the work reflects the broader purpose of TRIO programs.
“TRIO is important to students and higher education because there are resources and services that can be provided to help with their journey,” Jones said. “Academic and career support start as low as sixth grade through high school and continue at the college level. Each role plays a significant part in our students’ lives.”
As PA TRIO secretary, Jones will assist the association’s president and support compliance with the organization’s bylaws. Jones also sees the role as an opportunity to learn from TRIO advocates at other institutions and build connections across the state.
Pesi, who now leads PA TRIO, will help guide the statewide association, support professional development and member engagement, and advocate for TRIO programs and the students they serve. She also hopes to strengthen connections among TRIO professionals throughout the year and ensure their work remains part of the conversations about college access and student success.
“This experience is incredibly special to me,” Pesi said. “I am fortunate to have several Penn State colleagues serving alongside me within PA TRIO, which makes stepping into this role feel even more meaningful.”
For Pesi, advocacy begins with students who may be uncertain whether higher education is within reach.
“TRIO is incredibly important because there are students sitting in classrooms across Pennsylvania right now asking themselves, ‘Do I belong in college?’ or even, ‘Is college something that is possible for me?’” Pesi said. “TRIO programs are often the people and resources helping students answer those questions with a confident ‘yes.’”
Upward Bound at Penn State supports low-income and first-generation high school students as they prepare for college. Through academic assistance, college and career advising, and opportunities for summer residential programs, Upward Bound helps students become competitive college applicants and prepare for success in higher education.
“One of the most rewarding parts of my work is being able to see students I once served through Upward Bound become college students themselves,” Pesi said. “I want those students to understand that their support system is much larger than the people they see every day. There is an entire network of TRIO professionals across Pennsylvania and across the country who are rooting for them.”
The annual PA TRIO conference brought together more than 60 TRIO professionals, nearly one-third of whom were attending for the first time. TRIO alumni also participated as keynote speakers and attendees, offering a reminder of the lasting impact of these programs.
“It was a beautiful reminder that the work being done today continues to impact students, families and communities for generations,” Pesi said.