National TRIO Day
On February 24, 1986, a congressional resolution (H. Con. Res. 278) declared that Saturday, February 28, 1986, should be designated as "National TRIO Day" to commemorate the annual achievements of the Federal TRIO programs in communities across the country.
Every year since then, our TRIO community has reserved the fourth Saturday in February as National TRIO Day. An opportunity to focus the nation's attention to all the accomplishments that our TRIO Scholars and Supporters. To learn more about National TRIO Day please visit Council for Opportunity in Education (COE).
TRIO Day at WSU 2024
2024 McNair Alumni Panel
Tuesday, February 20 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. | Zoom
Hear from Coug alumni who serve as faculty members at universities around the country about their experiences and how the TRIO McNair Scholars Program prepared them for their current roles.
PB&J Club
Wednesday, February 21 | 12:00 p.m. | CUB 1st Floor
Get a free peanut butter and jelly sandwich and learn about programming provided by the Office for Access and Opportunity.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: From Policy to Practice
Aaron Brown, PhD | Executive Vice President at the Council of Opportunity Education
Thursday, February 22 | 12:00 p.m.
Join From Policy to Practice Zoom
Discuss the origins of each department and how they have grown and evolved in these ever changing and challenging times, to best serve our students.
About the Keynote Speaker
Dr. Aaron Brown, a first-generation TRIO alumnus, spent his formative childhood years raised in the rural town of Kiona, WA, igniting his educational journey at Spokane Falls Community College and earning a B.A. from Eastern Washington University. Equipped with a Ph.D. in Public Affairs from UNLV, Dr. Brown boasts two decades of experience in higher education, from TRIO director to assistant vice provost. Dr. Brown joined the Council for Opportunity in Education as the executive vice president in August of 2023.
Through the submission of multiple federal and local grants, Dr. Brown has secured millions of dollars across three institutions to help low-income students, first-generation students, and students with disabilities achieve college access and success. He is a past president and founding board member of the Washington State TRIO Association, designed and oversaw the development of Central Washington Universities inaugural Transfer Center, endowed a scholarship for low-income Veterans at Eastern Washington University, and has served as a faculty member for Priority II and Priority IV federal training grants.
Dr. Aaron Brown’s condensed biography reflects a life dedicated to breaking barriers and fostering inclusive academic success.