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By Amaya Dennis
At a time when college costs are rising and enrollment is declining, teenagers may feel discouraged from pursuing higher education. This is where TRIO at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) steps in. TRIO assists with both grade school tutoring and college preparation through the Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search programs, which are free and designed for low-income, first-generation students in the Cleveland area.
About the Director
Erica Calderon, holding a master’s degree in school counseling and a bachelor’s degree in social work, began working with high school students in case management and mental health. From there, she transitioned into working with youth battling alcohol and substance abuse. That path led her to education, where her journey with TRIO began. She joined the TRIO Upward Bound team in 2010 and became the director of both the Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search programs in 2018.
The initial spark that guided Calderon into working with low-income, first-generation students was that she was in their shoes. Her goal is to show students that despite her starting point, she was able to grow into the person she is today. Using her knowledge, Calderon encourages Cleveland youth to see that “they could get out of that environment and do something more for themselves,” and come back to inspire the next batch of leaders in their community. One of those leaders helping to guide younger students is Aaron Street Jr., an alumnus of the TRIO program.
Aaron Street Jr. is a rising sophomore at Alabama State University who began his path to greatness with TRIO in the seventh grade. Over the years, he spent countless hours with the program, from visiting their room to grab snacks and chat to visiting college campuses. Although his first year at college was demanding, the guidance he received from TRIO was intensive enough that he felt right at home at his HBCU.
Available Opportunities
TRIO programs are a key factor in breaking down barriers to college access. Each year, more than 600 students receive free personal and academic counseling, including high school assistance, college enrollment guidance, and financial advising. Two key components of TRIO are tutoring and test prep during the academic year, and workshops every other Saturday for students to learn skills such as leadership, financial literacy, and soft skills. As many as 70% of students involved in TRIO programs pursue some form of higher education. The only requirements are a 2.5 GPA, low-income and first-generation status, and a willingness to learn and grow. TRIO offers two opportunities for you or your child to get involved, ranging from academic year involvement to summer and weekend sessions for children in different age groups and school districts.
Upward Bound (Academic Rigor Meets Real-World Skills)
Upward Bound is a TRIO program that serves Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Euclid High School students. Through Upward Bound, students travel to other places, including Puerto Rico, for college visits. Calderon states that if a student is in Upward Bound, “they would have had the opportunity to visit at least four or five colleges per year,” which can total up to 20 colleges before it’s time to start applying.
During the summer, Upward Bound has a free six-week program on CWRU’s campus. Calderon describes a typical day as having core classes, an elective, and lunch. Students break into groups by the grade they’re going to, and each group has foreign language, language arts, mathematics, and science classes to prepare them for that grade’s curriculum. This summer, the final class of the day will be an elective, like robotics, podcasting, or chess. Upward Bound provides funding for 113 students annually.
For Younger Students
The Educational Talent Search (ETS) project serves up to 500 students each year. Students must be at least 11 years old and enrolled in grades six through 12 in the East Cleveland or Euclid City School Districts. The ETS Project offers similar services to Upward Bound, but can serve 500 students each year. An early start at ETS prepares students, not only for college, but also for the transition to high school.
Building Toward the Future
While the positive impact of TRIO is undeniable, programs nationwide are currently fighting to remain running. With the current administration’s recent policies regarding higher education and pre-collegiate programs, it is more important now than ever that the public advocates for the preservation of these programs. “Without programs like these,” Calderon said, “students have a harder time navigating the application process to post-secondary education and knowing what to do.” On the flip side, if the programs continue and receive funding, there are some innovations she’s looking to implement. For starters, with the growth of AI, Calderon wants to ensure that her students are AI-ready so they’re not falling behind on the technology curve when they go to college.
Calderon’s Message for Cleveland Youth
As young Cleveland students navigate the transitional stages of high school, Calderon wants to remind them that the transition to college may be challenging, but TRIO’s guidance is there to alleviate some of the stress. She wants students not to be afraid to find their purpose in life and to use their resources, even after graduating from the program. For more information on pre-collegiate resources or to apply for TRIO programs, visit this link.
