For New Mexico State University graduates Shellby Yazzie and Caylene Romero, the TRIO programs at NMSU played a monumental role in helping them earn their bachelor’s degrees. And a pair of NMSU’s TRIO programs have been awarded new five-year grants from the U.S. Department of Education.
The TRIO Student Support Services Program received $2,417,000, and the TRIO STEM-H Student Support Services Program received $1,361,805 for a total of $3,778,805. Both grants will continue to fund services for students through 2030.
“My favorite aspect of being in TRIO is that the faculty was always warm and welcoming,” Yazzie said. “They really did try to go the whole nine yards of assisting kids, especially first-generation students who probably don’t know anything about college life.”
The goal of NMSU’s Student Support Services is to increase the retention and graduation rates of first-generation college students, low-income students and students with a disability. NMSU Student Support Services participants are assisted through a range of academic and social support services to help them adapt to college life and be successful at the university. The TRIO SSS program serves 350 participants each year, and the TRIO STEM-H program supports 120 students per year. Both programs are housed in the Student Success Center at the Hardman and Jacobs Undergraduate Learning Center, Room 128.
“We are absolutely delighted that the programs were funded in this competitive environment for external funding. The TRIO SSS Classic and STEM-H Programs have demonstrated outcomes related to persistence and graduation rates that speak volumes of the hard work of the program’s participants,” said Tony Marin, associate vice president of Student Affairs and principal investigator of both grants.
Established at NMSU in 1971, the TRIO SSS program is a collaboration between the Student Success Center, Student Engagement and Enrollment Management and academic departments that provide participants with academic success, economic/financial literacy, mentoring, tutoring and leadership opportunities.
“Being continuously funded for over 50 years demonstrates the program’s long-standing success and its value to both the institution and the students it serves,” said Bernadine Booky, TRIO SSS program director. “This new cycle of funding not only allows us to continue our contribution to the university’s retention and graduation rate; it gives another generation of students the opportunity to have access to the academic support, mentoring, financial literacy and personal development services that have empowered thousands of Aggies before them.”
The TRIO STEM-H program has been serving students majoring in science, technology, engineering, math and health-science fields since 2015.
“This five-year renewal is a major achievement for NMSU,” said David Jauregui, College of Engineering interim dean and TRIO STEM-H co-principal investigator. “It reflects continued federal support for our efforts to expand access to higher education for students who face added challenges. This renewed funding allows us to continue breaking down barriers and advancing student achievement, which is central to our mission as a land-grant university.”
The TRIO STEM-H program helped Romero not only earn her degree in aerospace engineering in 2024 but also an internship with Virgin Galactic in the summer of 2023.
“TRIO gives people motivation, and someone else to connect with in the same field,” Romero said. “I don’t know if I could have gone through college unless I had someone to talk and go through the struggles with. It helped me through things.”
“TRIO STEM-H participants are some of the most determined and resilient individuals I’ve ever met,” said Erica Mosley, TRIO STEM-H program director. “Seeing them overcome obstacles, celebrate their successes, and develop the confidence to pursue their dreams is incredibly rewarding. Many of them are trailblazers in their families and communities, and being part of that journey is an honor. What makes it even more special is that many of our students keep in touch after they graduate and are eager to share updates about their accomplishments, which reminds us of the lasting impact of the program.”
Yazzie, who works as an NMSU Cooperative Extension Service Tribal Extension agent in McKinley County, often shares her TRIO experience with local youth.
“In our area, there are a lot of first-generation students, who are probably not accustomed to an environment outside of the reservation, so one thing I highlight about TRIO is that there’s a lot of guidance and help. And it’s OK to ask for help, and I think that’s what helped me, because I didn’t want to ask for help,” Yazzie said.
“TRIO SSS is more than just a support program,” Booky said. “It’s a lifeline for students who are often navigating college on their own. The impact is long-lasting. We’re not just helping them earn a degree. We’re helping them build confidence, break cycles and change the future for their families and communities. TRIO SSS is about access, equity and the belief that with the right support, every student can succeed.”
To learn more about TRIO SSS and TRIO STEM-H programs at NMSU, visit triosss.nmsu.edu and stemh.nmsu.edu.