June 12, 2019

SIU hosting Illinois Trio Student Leadership Conference June 14-16

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Illinois Trio Student Leadership Conference 2019 will bring more than 160 students and staff from Trio programs across the state to Southern Illinois University Carbondale June 14-16.

While at SIU, the pre-college and college-level students from community colleges and universities all over Illinois will be participating in a wide variety of special events to help them hone their leadership skills.

Many activities planned

The conference runs from Friday evening, when a big kick-off event is scheduled at the Student Center, through noon Sunday. The young adults will participate in workshop sessions about topics as diverse as networking, money management, mentorship, motivation, emotional intelligence, and educational and career exploration.

The weekend will also feature interactive workshops, student panels, roundtable discussions and “Ted-talk-style” presentations. It culminates in Saturday evening’s Leadership and Service Award Banquet.

Developing leaders

The theme of the 2019 conference is “Creating Lasting Bonds with Synergy and Solidarity.” The focus is on developing the leaders of tomorrow. Goals of the three-day event include:

  • Teaching students how to engage in critical dialogues, developing and strengthening their leadership skills.
  • Offering opportunities for participants to build and enhance relationships with other student leaders.
  • Empowering students to connect and use their experiences as the springboard to achieve educational and career success.

Program over 50 years old

Created from the Educational Opportunity Act of 1964 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty,” the Trio programs are the first national college access and retention programs designed to address America’s social and cultural educational barriers. Nearly 800,000 Americans from disadvantaged backgrounds receive services through more than 2,800 projects across the country.

SIU is home to three Trio programs:

  • Project Upward Bound – an educational assistance program that assists high school students in developing the skills and enthusiasm they need to successfully complete post-secondary education or training.
  • Student Support Services – a program created to increase retention and graduation rates among diverse student populations by helping participating students meet their educational, social and personal needs of students and helping them reach their maximum potential. Participants include first-generation college students, those with disabilities and those who fall under specified income levels.
  • McNair Scholars – a comprehensive scholarship and mentoring network serving low-income, first-generation college students with the goal of involving them in research, a mentoring network and professional development activities to encourage completion of a doctorate.

Learn more about SIU’s Trio programs and the many ways the university helps students reach their full potential at triostudentsupport.siu.edu, by calling 618/453-6973 or by emailing triosss@siu.edu.