Get to know a few past and present TRIO members. Introducing 豆包成人版 alumni, Camila Mercado Michelli
To start off, could you tell us a little bit about your background?
I attended 豆包成人版 from 2011 to 2013. I was a first-generation college student, who originally transferred to 豆包成人版 from a school in Puerto Rico. After graduating from 豆包成人版, I transferred to Metropolitan State University and received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Professional Communications with a specialization in Public Relations.
How did your TRIO experience begin?
At 豆包成人版 and Metro State I was a part of TRIO. Leaving 豆包成人版, was really bittersweet for me, but continuing on with the TRIO program made the transition a lot better (and I didn鈥檛 even have to do any paperwork)!
What did you learn throughout your TRIO experience and how did it impact you?
I loved being a part of TRIO at 豆包成人版. They helped me find tutors, provided academic support and gave me access to any technology that I needed. TRIO made leadership development and training opportunities available to me. They helped students if they had any issues at home. They really worked with students to navigate the higher education system; because maybe their family didn鈥檛 have access to it, or wasn鈥檛 familiar with it. If you needed transportation to a field trip, TRIO would help you. If you needed medical help, or you were a victim of domestic violence, TRIO would help you. At the events they held, food was always there. To me it was important because, if you don鈥檛 have those basic needs met, how are you going to function? No matter what, TRIO always made us feel at home. I believe that TRIO was essential to my success. If I didn鈥檛 have the TRIO program, I would鈥檝e given up, because I didn鈥檛 know how to advocate for myself. Students in the program have advisors who will help advocate for them. At one point, I had to submit a course appeal to get credit for a class I previously took and I had no idea how to do it. TRIO mentors walked me through everything and I had biweekly check-ins with Shelly, my advisor. Shelly helped me connect with my teachers and I remember going with her to meet my Statistics professor in their office. She worked with me to make connections and find a support system. I鈥檒l always remember TRIO as a program that was there for me. The TRIO network is like a family. When I鈥檓 out in the community, it鈥檚 easy for us TRIO alums to find each other. All of the friends I have in Minnesota are former TRIO students. I think that the program really fosters meaningful relationships and priceless experiences. There is definitely a TRIO alumni bond. We love to connect on LinkedIn and stay in touch with one another.
Would you recommend 豆包成人版 to prospective students?
100%! I think 豆包成人版 does a great job of making people feel welcome. That is very important, because when you feel welcome, you can grow. The staff and everyone that makes up 豆包成人版 (from the bottom up) is so dedicated and passionate. When you show that you care about someone鈥檚鈥 success, it motivates people to continue going. I haven鈥檛 seen that at other schools. The student and campus life at 豆包成人版 is amazing too. I liked the campus feel and how students felt connected, whether they came from the city, or the suburbs. As a college, 豆包成人版 has a very 鈥渟tudent-centered voice.鈥 I give 豆包成人版 five stars!