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University of Maine at Fort Kent

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Enrollment & Advancement Center • University of Maine at Fort Kent • 23 University Drive, Fort Kent, ME 04743

UMFK TRIO Students Participate in Program's Maine Day

May 2, 2013

Note: this is an archived news release. As such, the information provided may no longer apply.

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Shawn Graham, Kaprice Tompkins, Ivon Portellez, Alan Pelletier, and state Senator Troy Jackson pose for a photo at the state capitol
UMFK TRIO Student Support Services students recently participated in the program's Maine Day at the state capitol. Shown here (L-R) are: Shawn Graham, TRIO Leadership Group advisor; students Kaprice Tompkins, Ivon Portellez, Alan Pelletier, and state Senator Troy Jackson.

University of Maine at Fort Kent students enrolled in the TRIO Student Support Services program recently participated in this year's Maine TRIO Day. The event was held at the Hall of Flags in the State House in Augusta with TRIO educators and students from across the State.

Alan Pelletier, a Computer Science major, Ivon Portellez, an Elementary Education major, and Kaprice Tompkins, a Nursing major, attended the event on Monday, March 25. Each is a member of the TRIO Leadership Group.

Portellez shared, “It wasn't easy for me to make the transition to become a full-time college student. Being a member of TRIO has helped me achieve my educational goals and given me that extra bit that I need to ensure my academic success. It is encouraging to know that Maine representatives, such as Senator Troy Jackson, support TRiO. It truly is amazing to have that kind of support!”

Tompkins said, “Participating in Upward Bound in high school and Student Support Services at UMFK (both TRIO programs), it is important that Maine representatives understand and support education for first-generation college students. It was a great experience to learn more about how the State House operates, as a people's house, and that we have a voice. TRIO programs are making my dream of becoming a nurse a reality.”

Pelletier offered, "As a 44-year-old non-traditional student attending college was no easy task. I was laid-off from a great job in 2009. I realized that I would need a college education to re-enter the work force if I wanted to continue doing the same type of work as a business analyst. I began college with a rough start until I became a part of TRIO in the fall of 2011. I have to admit if it were not for TRIO and the awesome support they offer to college students, I am not so sure I would have made it through my college education. TRIO's support is what made the real difference for me while attending college. I hope our state representatives look at this TRIO program and realize how valuable it is for the students and the difference it makes to them. I had the opportunity to attend the 2013 Hall of Flags in Augusta with a great team of TRIO members. I would highly recommend to current and future TRIO members to attend next year. It was an awesome experience and was great talking to our state representatives about why we need TRIO."

The TRIO Leadership Group is an experiential learning-based group for students in the TRIO program at UMFK. The Leadership Group focuses on skill development for TRIO students to further their skills in areas such as team building, communication and leadership.

For further information about the TRIO program at UMFK, please call 834-7530, or visit them on the web at: https://www.umfk.edu/trio/