West Virginia ranks 46th in social determinants of health, according to the 2024 AmericaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Health Rankings Annual Report. This reflects deep-rooted challenges like economic hardship, food insecurity, high unemployment, and income inequality. The state also faces low high school completion and postsecondary attainment rates, and a high prevalence of adverse childhood experiences.
Our young people face additional barriers. West Virginia has the highest number of unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness, and it places more children in foster care than any other state. These issues are especially severe in rural areas, where geographic isolation limits access to resources and support systems. As one of the most rural states in the nation, West Virginia has historically ranked near the bottom of national education and economic indicators. Today, we face a severe teacher shortage and high student-to-counselor ratios, especially in rural districts where recruiting and retaining staff is an ongoing struggle.
In the face of these challenges, programs like TRIO offer hope and opportunity.
I was fortunate to enroll in the Heart of Appalachia Talent Search (HATS), a TRIO program, in sixth grade at Hannan High School in Mason County. HATS helped me explore careers, prepare for college, and overcome obstacles that often derail students like me. As a first-generation college student, neither of my parents graduated from college. Navigating higher education was scary. With TRIOÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s support, I earned a bachelorÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s degree from Marshall University.
Today, I am the director of the same program that helped me succeed: HATS. I am also pursuing a doctorate in curriculum at Marshall. TRIO worked for me, and I see every day how it works for others.
Federal TRIO programs, like HATS, Upward Bound, and Student Support Services, were created under the Higher Education Act of 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. JohnsonÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s War on Poverty. These programs provide essential services: academic support; financial aid guidance; mentoring; and college preparation. Over nearly 60 years, TRIO has helped more than double the number of low-income students who complete postsecondary degrees.
Now, TRIO is under threat. President Trump has proposed eliminating these programs entirely. Cutting TRIO would reduce access to education for thousands of students and hurt West VirginiaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s future workforce. TRIO helps students navigate higher education, make effective use of Pell grants, and gain the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to our economy. TRIO is the insurance policy for the Pell grant. Without TRIO, I wouldnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t be where I am today. And without TRIO, many of our most vulnerable students will be left behind.
If you have benefited from TRIO or want to support students who rely on these services, I encourage you to contact your members of Congress and make your voice heard. Call 202-224-3121 to tell them TRIO matters.
Zachary Jenkins is director of the HATS (Heart of Appalachia Talent Search) at Marshall University.
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