History of Minnesota TRIO

Past Minnesota TRIO Presidents

1972: MN TRIO was established 

  • Minnesota TRIO (MN TRIO)  was established in 1971. It is a professional organization for personnel and institutions affiliated with college access and success throughout the state of Minnesota. MN TRIO is a state chapter in the Educational Opportunity Association (EOA). Ray Toutloff from Bemidji State University served as the association’s first President.

1975: EOA Educational Opportunity Association was established (Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP) established. The association would later be renamed Educational Opportunity Association (EOA).)

  • EOA is made up of eight chapter associations in the Midwest: Illinois TRIO, Indiana TRIO, Iowa TRIO, Michigan College Access Program Personnel, Minnesota TRIO, Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska (MOKANE), Ohio TRIO, and Wisconsin Association of Opportunity Program Personnel. EOA works closely with the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) on advocacy issues. Since 1981, EOA has facilitated the Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) which regional chapters send members to each year. The purpose is to forge future leadership at both the state and regional levels.

1973-1976: Annual Association Conference established

  • The TRIO Achievers Awards were presented at the conference by Ron McKinley, 2nd MN TRIO President.

  • The first MN Board General Assembly was held at the conference.


1991: First TRIO scholarship awarded

  • Since its inception, MN TRIO has awarded over $83,000 to over 100 students. The Bruce Vento Award and Ronald McKinley Award were established in 2000-2001 academic year. The Paul and Sheila Wellstone Scholarship was established in 2002-2003 academic year. 

2006: Minnesota TRIO

  • The Minnesota Chapter of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MnAEOPP) formally changed its name to Minnesota TRIO (MN TRIO). 


2008: MN TRIO Days established

  • The association created a one-day student leadership conference for pre-college TRIO programs. The conference offers interactive workshops on topics such as financial aid/literacy, social and cultural development, leadership skill-building, and career information. Now, there are both a northern and southern tier conference.

2011: Adult Leadership Symposium

  • The Adult Leadership Symposium brings together TRIO students and celebrates their shared TRIO experiences and commitment to higher education. The conference provides workshops that assist students with their educational, career, and personal development. 


2016: MN TRIO MILE 

  • The Members Involved in Leadership and Engagement (MILE) program was created in Fall 2016 to engage TRIO professionals and provide knowledge of MN TRIO both locally and nationally. The goal is to pass on TRIO history and engage the next generation of leaders. The first MILE cohort was co-facilitated by Tricia Wilkinson and Andrew Cester in 2016. 

  • The 2018 MILE cohort organized and hosted the inaugural MN TRIO MILE 5K EdDash. The money raised at the 5K event goes to support MN TRIO scholarships.

  • In 2023 MILE was moved from being part of the professional development committee to its own standing committee.Enrining it in to the MN TRIO constitution.