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Fresno State’s TRiO Student Support Services Program is designed to serve first-generation, low-income, disabled and veteran students who are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

The program provides academic support services to help undergraduates to remain in college and graduate.
Eluterio Escamilla, director of TRiO, was a first-generation student who faced circumstances similar to those of incoming students.

“My father had no education. My mother only [had] a sixth-grade education. They were both farmworkers, and their expectation was for us not [to] be farmworkers,” Escamilla said.

Escamilla has served in education for 20 years, helping students of diverse backgrounds and ages.

The program tries to provide a welcoming environment for students who are new to the university lifestyle. TRiO is located in Lab School, Room 9. TRiO students can also use the room next door, Lab School Room 10, for quick access to the computer lab.

TRiO students have access to free printing, email and internet access, along with the opportunity to request textbooks for many of their current courses.

TRiO also has its own academic counselors for students and veterans.

“We have a unique situation here at this campus where our veteran population pretty much looks like our regular going population,” said Escamilla. TRiO also has lunch-and-learn sessions in which the program mentors and veterans have interactive workshops.

The program has an enrollment cap of 200 students for TRiO and 120 for veterans. Seats are still available. For more information, Fresno State students may visit Lab School, Room 9.