What is TRiO?

A federally funded outreach and student services program designed to identify and provide services to students who are:

  • first-generation OR
  • have a documented disability OR
  • qualify for financial reasons

This program provides amazing supports to Paul Smith’s College students:

  • Academic, financial, personal, and career success coaching
  • Financial literacy programming
  • Individualized academic plans
  • Skills and strategies for academic success
  • Peer mentoring program
  • Cultural enrichment activities
  • Study abroad support
  • Grant Aid (students must be Pell Grant eligible)
  • And much more…

TRiO is a wonderful program that helped me with adjusting to my time at Paul Smith’s College. The TRiO staff treat you like family, they will answer any questions you have about scheduling, classes or just life in general. TRiO is very supportive of their students and helped me make new friends, look for and apply for jobs; they even helped me get heat back in my dorm room the first winter I lived on campus! If TRiO can’t help you, then they know who can, and are willing to go above and beyond to help you succeed in class and in life.

mindylee murdie Mindylee Murdie '25
mindylee murdie

The TRiO services and staff completely altered the trajectory of my college experience. They will be your biggest advocates through the best and worst of times. I am unashamed to admit that when I first walked into that office, I was on probation with dwindling hope for my future at this college.

sophie kosich Sophie Kosich '25
sophie kosich

TRiO/SSS

Origins

1964: Upward Bound created under the Educational Opportunity Act
1965: Educational Talent Search added via the Higher Education Act
1968: Student Support Services launched (originally “Special Services”)
These three federally funded programs formed the original TRiO, aimed at increasing college access for low-income students.

Expansion

By 1998, TRiO served not only traditional students but displaced workers and veterans.

The original three grew to seven programs, including:
1972: Educational Opportunity Centers & Veterans Upward Bound
1986: Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
1990: Upward Bound Math/Science

8 TRiO Programs

  1. 1. Upward Bound
  2. 2. Talent Search
  3. 3. STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES (SSS)
  4. 4. Educational Opportunity Centers
  5. 5. Veterans Upward Bound
  6. 6. Training Programs
  7. 7. Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
  8. 8. Upward Bound Math/Science

How to Apply

Grab your phone Go to your Camera App Hover over the QR Code Fill out the TRiO App! For more info stop by Joan Weill Adirondack Library, Room 209.

Apply!

TRiO Staff

Amanda Vincent, M.S.
TRiO SSS Director
avincent@paulsmiths.edu

Jenn Lieb, M.S.T.
TRiO SSS Success Coach
jlieb@paulsmiths.edu

Monica Buriello, M.S.
TRiO SSS Success Coach
mburiello@paulsmiths.edu

Lydia Wright
TRiO SSS Administrative Support Coordinator
lwright@paulsmiths.edu

TRiO

Amanda Vincent

TRiO

TRIO Director

Email Address
avincent@paulsmiths.edu