This inquiry investigates how the federal TRiO
programs, Upward Bound and Student Support Services
promote equity and social justice through community
building, leadership and academic activities and
holistic life skills. This research details the
history of the TRiO programs, the barriers that low-
income and first generation students experience when
accessing higher education, and the effects TRiO has
had on students in their quest to better their
lives. The results of this study include direct,
unedited responses from the students themselves
about their experience with their respective TRiO
program at Dakota County Technical College.
Through content analysis, surveys, and interviews,
this qualitative study found that TRiO has had a
positive impact on students, increasing their self-
esteem, self-confidence, thus breaking higher
education barriers, teaching civic responsibility
and helping students rise abovetheir current
station so that they can be educated, productive
members of society.
programs, Upward Bound and Student Support Services
promote equity and social justice through community
building, leadership and academic activities and
holistic life skills. This research details the
history of the TRiO programs, the barriers that low-
income and first generation students experience when
accessing higher education, and the effects TRiO has
had on students in their quest to better their
lives. The results of this study include direct,
unedited responses from the students themselves
about their experience with their respective TRiO
program at Dakota County Technical College.
Through content analysis, surveys, and interviews,
this qualitative study found that TRiO has had a
positive impact on students, increasing their self-
esteem, self-confidence, thus breaking higher
education barriers, teaching civic responsibility
and helping students rise abovetheir current
station so that they can be educated, productive
members of society.