News

Celebrating 20 Years of student success and support with TRIO at UA-PTC

On September 2, UA - Pulaski Tech celebrated a major milestone at the Center for Humanities and Arts: 20 years of empowering students through the TRIO Student Support Services program.

Since securing its first grant on Sept. 1, 2006, UA-PTC’s TRIO program has provided dedicated mentorship, academic tutoring, financial literacy, and career planning to first-generation students, low-income scholars, and individuals with disabilities.

Today, the program serves 320 students annually across its Main and Little Rock–South campuses, backed by $2.79 million in federal grant funding secured through 2030.

The results are astounding: UA-PTC TRIO boasts an 87% retention rate and a 65% three-year graduation rate. At the Little Rock–South location—the only new TRIO grant awarded in Arkansas—fall-to-fall retention hit 86%, bringing the location to full capacity.

Speakers including Chancellor Summer DeProw, UA System President Jay Silveria, and Associate Vice Chancellor MaryKate Snow praised the program's profound impact.

Alumni stories proved the life-changing nature of the program. Sophia Kohlenberger Bazzi, a Taekwondo black belt and business owner, credited TRIO for launching her career in Little Rock. Alumnus Malachi Steward shared his trajectory from addiction and incarceration to earning a 4.0 GPA at UA-PTC, transferring to SMU, and earning a full ride in a Ph.D. program in partical physics.

To close the celebration, Vice Chancellor for Advancement Laurie Ann Ross announced the new TRIO Student Support Services Alumni Scholarship, guaranteeing that this legacy of support, access, and achievement continues for decades to come!

Pictured: Associate Vice Chancellor MaryKate Snow (far left) poses with the many TRIO alumni who returned to celebrate how TRIO made a difference in their lives.