Council for Opportunity in Education - COE

Our program and professional development officers have landed in Big Sky Country! We are excited to be at Montana Tech conducting hands-on technical assistance training for TRIO staff. Learn more about COE customized technical assistance offerings for TRIO programs at https://coenet.org/technical-assistance/. Angelica Vialpando Jen Rudolph Woodrow Lewis Jr.

Last week, members of WV TRIO attended the Council for Opportunity in Education - COE Annual Conference in New York City. Great time for fellowship and an opportunity to bring new and innovative strategies to assist program participants.

First Gen Fellowship applications are now open! Apply by Oct 1, for a chance to receive an unrestricted hardship grant of $1,000. Learn more and apply at the link below.

First Gen Fellowship Application — First Gen Fund First Gen Fellowship Applications Are Now Open! Apply by Oct 1, 2024 for a chance to receive an unrestricted hardship grant of $1000 to support your journey.Our 2024 First Gen Fellows will be announced on November 8, 2024 on firstgen.org and on instagram , as well as contacted directly....

Today is National Voter Registration Day. Get TRIO students registered to vote! Complete the simple form at the link below, and it will direct you to your local Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor, or Department of Elections website, where you can register with ease.

FirstGen Forward – Get Registered to Vote From your local school board to the White House, voting in every election is important (especially for first-generation students and their advocates). Thanks for taking the first step! Take a few minutes to complete the form below and make sure your voice is heard!

🎉 Happy Birthday, Dr. Arnold Mitchem! 🎉

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Arnold Mitchem, President Emeritus of the Council for Opportunity in Education, and a lifelong champion for low-income, first-generation students, and individuals with disabilities. 🙌 Thanks to his tireless advocacy, the federally funded TRIO Programs have expanded nearly 400%, now serving over 872,000 students at 1,200 colleges and universities! 📚🎓

Dr. Mitchem’s journey began on the History faculty at Marquette University and led him to Washington, D.C., where he served as President of COE from 1986 to 2013. His legacy continues to inspire us all. 💫 Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, Dr. Mitchem! 🎂🎉

Thank you to Council for Opportunity in Education - COE for offering so many engaging sessions at . is grateful for the opportunity to attend and participate in this year’s conference!

The COE office will be closed on Thursday, September 12, and Friday, September 13, as we wrap up an amazing and successful Annual Conference! We're allowing our staff to recharge after all the hard work and dedication they put into making the event unforgettable. We'll resume regular business hours at 9:00 a.m. ET on Monday, September 16. Thank you for your understanding and continuous support as we work together to empower the TRIO community!

Wrapping up an unforgettable Annual Conference with a celebration of excellence and leadership! From honoring the 2024 TRIO Achievers for their incredible accomplishments to the inspiring Educational Opportunity Dinner, every moment has been a reminder of the power of education to transform lives. Congratulations to Mara Luna, the 2024-2025 Chair of COE’s Board of Directors—we can’t wait to see the impact you’ll continue to make!

Day 3 of in NYC:

We immersed ourselves in a sea of knowledge, fueling our minds and re-igniting our passion for TRIO. From thought-provoking panel discussions to hands-on workshops, we discovered new realms of potential and innovation.

Day 2 of in NYC:

What a powerful day of advocacy and action!

✅ Congressman Adriano Espaillat inspired us with his call to fight for educational equity and support for underrepresented students.
✅ COE President Kimberly Jones energized us with updates on our strategic vision and the path forward for the TRIO community.
✅ Hot Topics & Breakouts: From policy shifts to data-driven student success, today’s sessions sparked bold ideas and new strategies!

Thanks to all our amazing speakers and attendees. Onward to day three!

A big thank you to Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY 13th District) for taking the time to speak with Annual Conference attendees in New York! We appreciate your support and commitment to the TRIO community.

What an incredible start to in New York City! We kicked things off with an inspiring address from Academy Award-winning filmmaker and former NFL player Matthew A. Cherry.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to learn, network, and build a stronger TRIO community together! Let's make this conference one for the books!