WVAEOPP History

By Michael Fisher


In Milestones of TRIO History, Dr. John Grout reviews the initial creation of the TRIO programs, beginning with TRIO Upward Bound in 1964, on through forming regions of TRIO programs nationally. He says that in the 1960’s poverty was suddenly recognized as a severe national problem that afflicted at least one-third of the population. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy charged the Council of Economic Advisors to study the problem of poverty and make recommendations for action. Shortly after President Kennedy’s assassination, Walter Heller, Chairman of the Council, described the plans being considered to combat poverty with President Lyndon B. Johnson. President Johnson is quoted as saying, “That’s my kind of program; I’ll find the money for it one way or another.” The President then appointed Sargent Shriver to head a Task Force on Poverty. The Task Force met the challenge in record time, and they prepared legislation that the Johnson administration declared would “forever eliminate poverty from the richest nation on earth.”

The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 established the Office of Economic Opportunity to coordinate and administer the poverty programs. The law also established a Demonstration and Research Office to fund experimental programs. One of the first programs was developed to identify secondary school students from low-income backgrounds, who were underachieving, and to motivate and prepare them to pursue postsecondary education. It was called “Upward Bound.” Then, a part of the Higher Education Act of 1965 for the first time set aside Federal scholarship monies that would be distributed based on low-income status. It was a large pot of money; there were many needy potential students; neither high school nor college personnel had experience working with diverse populations of youth in higher education. Section 408 was inserted into the proposed Higher Education Act to answer this problem. It set up a new program, Contracts to Encourage the Full Utilization of Educational Talent (later called Talent Search). The first reauthorization of the Act in 1968 created Special Services (later called Student Support Services), which was the third of the three original TRIO programs. There have been six reauthorizations altogether, and we now have Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Talent Search, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers, and Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement.

In 1972, six states formed a regional organization to share information and for professional development. It was called the Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs (SWASAP). We now have 10 regional organizations. West Virginia, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia make up the organization called Mid Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP).

On a national level, TRIO programs are represented by the Council for Opportunity in Education, which is a nonprofit organization, established in 1981, dedicated to furthering the expansion of educational opportunities throughout the United States. Through its numerous membership services, the Council works in conjunction with colleges, universities, and agencies that host TRIO Programs to specifically help low-income Americans enter college and graduate. The mission of the Council is to advance and defend the ideal of equal educational opportunity in postsecondary education. As such, the focus of the Council is assuring that the least advantaged segments of the American population have a realistic chance to enter and graduate from a postsecondary institution. A secondary purpose of the Council is to provide a voice and a political vehicle for administrators, counselors and teachers who are employed in institutionally-, state- and federally-funded opportunity programs, especially those professionals with TRIO programs.

At the state level, West Virginia Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel (WVAEOPP) represents TRIO personnel in West Virginia. Membership is open to personnel who are members of TRIO programs staffs or non-staff members who share an interest in students served by the over 30 TRIO programs in WV. The history of WVAEOPP is like much of West Virginia history. It is in oral form only. Most likely, Sandy Cavender served as the first President in the early 1980’s. Then, Karen Ferguson from Potomac State College was elected for three terms. Jackie Hersman from Marshall University was elected for three terms at the end of the 80’s, and then William Letrent from Potomac State College took over for four years until he was elected President of MEAEOPP. Jackie Hersman served one more year and then she was elected President of MEAEOPP. From there, the Presidents were Kathy Epperly (Bluefield State College), Anne Crum (Davis & Elkins College), Fredda Chappel (West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission), Michael Fisher (Davis & Elkins College), Barbara Copenhaver Bailey (West Virginia University), Tia Spencer (West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission), Barbara Cary (West Virginia State College), and Anita Mayer (West Virginia University).

From the early times of WVAEOPP when the organization was so small that it met in the lounge instead of a hotel conference room, many positive changes have occurred, and the organization membership growth has been the envy of several other state organizations. Some the changes are: replacing the office of Vice President with President-Elect, improving training and staff development at state conferences, bringing back one-day drive-in meetings, conducting student leadership conferences, establishing project memberships, putting new emphasis on scholarships, boosting recognition of TRIO programs at the state legislature, accumulating a healthy treasury, developing the WVAEOPP listserv and directory, and gaining 501(C) 3 status.

These highlights hit only a small part of the history of TRIO programs, and the history of national, regional, and state TRIO organizations. For a more complete story read Dr. Grout’s book; visit one the links in the sidebar, or talk to one of the many professionals that have made helping the educationally disadvantaged a lifetime endeavor.