Illinois TRIO

🎉 The Call for Nominations is NOW OPEN for the Illinois TRIO Association’s Rising TRIO Achiever Award — and the deadline has officially been EXTENDED! 🎉

Do you know a TRIO or GEAR UP student whose leadership, resilience, growth, and impact truly represent the heart of the TRIO mission? Now is the time to celebrate them! 💙💛

We are looking to recognize students who not only pursue their own success, but also uplift and inspire others along the way.

🏆 Six students across Illinois will be recognized:
✔️ North, Central, & South Regions
✔️ Pre-College & Collegiate Levels

📌 Nomination Process Includes:
• Nominator submission
• Brief nomination statement
• Student reflection component submitted directly by nominee

🗓 Deadline TODAY!!!!!!

🔗 Submit your nomination today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8sEr0B_CgUPlT-32fUSlsxn1soFYCJ6codbhXITgjvGLAWA/viewform

Let’s continue highlighting the incredible students who are shaping the future of TRIO through leadership, perseverance, and service.

🎉 Illinois TRIO Celebrates the Retirement of Dr. Escobar 🎉

On behalf of the Illinois TRIO Association, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Betol Escobar on his retirement.

Dr. Escobar has dedicated his career to empowering students and advancing educational opportunity through his service as the Senior Assistant Director and Senior Student Success Advisor for TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) at the Michael L. Jeffries Center for Access and Academic Success (formerly the Office of Minority Student Affairs) at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Throughout his years of service, Dr. Escobar has been a steadfast advocate for student success, helping countless first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students navigate higher education and achieve their goals. His commitment to the TRIO mission, passion for student development, and dedication to creating pathways for success have left a lasting impact on students, colleagues, and the broader educational community.

As he begins this well-earned new chapter, we thank Dr. Escobar for his years of leadership, mentorship, and service. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of TRIO professionals and students.

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Escobar and wishing him a retirement filled with joy, good health, new adventures, and continued success.

Congratulations, Dr. Escobar, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to students and the TRIO family! 💙💛

🎉 The Call for Nominations is NOW OPEN for the Illinois TRIO Association’s Rising TRIO Achiever Award — and the deadline has officially been EXTENDED! 🎉

Do you know a TRIO or GEAR UP student whose leadership, resilience, growth, and impact truly represent the heart of the TRIO mission? Now is the time to celebrate them! 💙💛

We are looking to recognize students who not only pursue their own success, but also uplift and inspire others along the way.

🏆 Six students across Illinois will be recognized:
✔️ North, Central, & South Regions
✔️ Pre-College & Collegiate Levels

📌 Nomination Process Includes:
• Nominator submission
• Brief nomination statement
• Student reflection component submitted directly by nominee

🗓 Deadline to Submit: Friday, June 5, 2026

🔗 Submit your nomination today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8sEr0B_CgUPlT-32fUSlsxn1soFYCJ6codbhXITgjvGLAWA/viewform

Let’s continue highlighting the incredible students who are shaping the future of TRIO through leadership, perseverance, and service.