About Georgia TRIO

Who We Are

The Georgia Association of Special Programs Personnel (GASPP) or Georgia TRIO, founded in 1972, is a non-profit organization made up of educators, policymakers, professionals in the private sector, and other individuals committed to ensuring that secondary and post-secondary educational opportunities are appropriate and accessible to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

GASPP is an organization with over 150 professional members committed to helping students succeed through the TRIO programs.  The Georgia TRIO programs serve approximately 22,587 students and participants statewide.  Our affiliate organizations collectively receive over $33,232,706 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education to assist us with our goals.  Our students are all ages--from middle school to adults. They typically come from limited-income households where no one has obtained a college degree. Our commitment is simple: to help students achieve great things through education. We are proud to serve each student and are eager to serve many more.

FEDERAL TRIO PROGRAMS

The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs. TRIO also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRIO projects. *(Source U.S. Dept of Education)

TRIO Programs are our nation’s way of carrying out a commitment to educational opportunities for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background, or economic circumstance. They are funded under the Title IV Higher Education Act of 1965. TRIO Programs help students to overcome class, social, and cultural barriers to higher education and to realize their educational potential.

TRiO Programs broaden accessibility and education opportunities to low-income, first-generation, and students with disabilities. 

TRIO Upward Bound: Preparing Georgia’s Future Scholars

Upward Bound is a federally funded TRIO program that supports high school students as they prepare for college entrance and success. Specifically designed for students from low-income families and for those whose parents do not hold a bachelor's degree, Upward Bound offers academic support, personal development, and college readiness services that help students navigate and succeed in postsecondary education. With over 2,742 students served across 30+ program sites, Upward Bound is transforming communities by building bridges to higher education—one student at a time.

Locations: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Atlanta Metropolitan College, Clark Atlanta University, Community Teen Coalition, Council for Academic Excellence, Inc., Epsilon Beta Lambda Foundation, Inc., Fort Valley State University, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, KeyPoint Alliance, Inc., Mercer University, Mentorship Academy Advance, Inc., Morehouse College, Paine College, Savannah State University, Southern Regional Technical College, Thrive Educational Services, University of Georgia, University of North Georgia

TRIO TALENT SEARCH: GUIDING GEORGIA'S SCHOLARS TO COLLEGE SUCCESS

TRIO Talent Search is a federally funded college access program designed to identify and assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. Talent Search provides critical services—including academic, career, and financial counseling—to help students graduate from high school, navigate the college admissions process, and complete their postsecondary education. Across Georgia, TRIO Talent Search programs serve over 13,000 students annually through schools, community centers, and higher education institutions.

Our statewide network of committed partners includes: Albany State University, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Atlanta Metropolitan State College, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia, Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta), Clark Atlanta University (LaGrange), Community Teen Coalition, Concerted Services, Inc. (Action Pact), Council for Academic Excellence, Inc., Epsilon Beta Lambda Foundation, Inc., Fort Valley State University, Georgia State University, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Southern Regional Technical College, Thomas University, University of Georgia, University of North Georgia, Valdosta State University

TRIO upward bound math & science: unlocking Georgia's STEM potential

Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) is a specialized TRIO program that empowers high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to succeed in STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Through rigorous academic support, hands-on STEM experiences, and mentorship, UBMS helps students strengthen their math and science skills, preparing them for college and careers in high-demand fields.

Current host institutions and agencies include: Atlanta Metropolitan College (Thomaston), Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia (Northeast High), Community Teen Coalition, Council for Academic Excellence, Inc., Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University (East Paulding High School), Morehouse College (Atlanta Metropolitan, Regional Institute, UBMS State Center), University of Georgia

TRIO Educational Opportunity Center: Adult Learners. Lifelong Success.

The TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is a federally funded program that provides counseling and information on college admissions to qualified adults who want to enter or continue a postsecondary education program. EOC services are especially designed for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including first-generation college students, adult learners, and veterans, helping them navigate the often complex process of reentering education. We serve over 3,000 participants a year in our state.

Current host institutions include: Georgia State University Research Foundation, Inc., The Corporation of Mercer University

TRIO Veterans’ Upward Bound: Honoring Service, Building Futures

Veterans’ Upward Bound (VUB) is a federally funded TRIO program supporting military veterans transitioning from service to higher education. The program offers personalized academic preparation, college admissions assistance, and career counseling tailored to veterans' unique needs, such as navigating benefits, adapting to civilian academic settings, and balancing family or work responsibilities. 

Current host institutions and agencies include: Georgia State University

TRIO Student Support Services: Supporting Success from Enrollment to Graduation

Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded TRIO program that provides comprehensive academic support to first-generation college students, individuals from low-income families, and students with disabilities. The program helps participants persist in college, maintain good academic standing, and graduate with a postsecondary degree.

Current host institutions include: Atlanta Metropolitan College, Berry College, Corporation of Mercer University, Fort Valley State University, Georgia Perimeter College (Clarkston & Decatur), Georgia Southern University (Armstrong), Georgia State University (Alpharetta, Atlanta, Dunwoody, and Newton), Mercer University, Paine College, Savannah State University, University of Georgia

TRIO McNair Scholars Program: Cultivating Future Doctoral Graduates

The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program aims to prepare first-generation, low-income students—and students from underrepresented backgrounds—for doctoral studies through research opportunities, mentoring, and academic support. 

Current host institutions and agencies include: Fort Valley State University, Georgia Southern University, Morehouse College, University of Georgia, University of North Georgia

Whom Do We Serve

The members of GASPP work together to serve over 22,587 limited-income, first-generation students, veterans, and students with disabilities throughout the state of Georgia. As mandated by Congress, two-thirds of the students served must come from families with limited incomes, where neither parent graduated from college. 

Our Vision

The Georgia Association of Special Programs Personnel (GASPP) strives to be the preeminent association for college access professionals by providing effective training and opportunities for its members and underrepresented participants by offering educational resources to enhance and develop future leaders and professionals.

Our Mission

The mission of the Georgia Association of Special Programs Personnel (GASPP) is to proactively forge effective and innovative pathways for both its members and participants, nurturing a realm of educational possibilities that knows no bounds.

To fulfilL this mission, GASPP is steadfastly committed to:

  • Upholding the highest professional preparation standards, cultivating a reservoir of excellence.

  • Architecting forward-thinking strategies for program implementation, harnessing the collective energy of college access professionals to yield positive outcomes.

  • Encouraging interconnectedness between institutions and agencies that foster cooperation and mutual growth.

  • Engaging in unwavering federal advocacy efforts by promoting policies that foster opportunity in education.

  • Unveiling new avenues to amplify college access, cultivate success, and celebrate graduation, thereby transforming aspirations into tangible achievements.

CORE VALUES

What are our fundamental convictions, values, and character?

  • GUIDANCE
    • We will provide accurate and timely information based on applicable regulations and/or appropriate policies.
    • We will not set policies or procedures for individual programs. Members will be provided guidance with the presumption that final decisions or practices require institutional or agency approval.
  • EDUCATION
    • We will be committed to discovering and implementing new ideas and practices
    • We will not be devoted to only considering past practices but embracing a promising future.
  • OPEN-MINDEDNESS
    • We will use a holistic approach when interacting with members of our organization by considering others’ values and opinions, showing empathy, being inclusive with our services and programming, and providing equitable support for college access professionals alike.
    • We will not allow any biases to interfere with the quality of our programming as an association or our services to college access professionals. 
  • RESOURCEFUL
    • We will identify available resources that will help professionals solve problems and achieve goals.
    • We will not withhold any public resource made available to the membership and/or its programs.
  • GROWTH
    • We will actively support and drive progress toward the organization's intended outcomes, goals, and benchmarks.
    • We will not refrain from impeding these expectations, recognizing the significance of factors such as training, overcoming language barriers, and ensuring the availability of necessary resources.
  • IMPACT
    • We will actively promote strategies for recruitment and retention that foster professional development and engagement through enhanced technology.
    • We will not overlook factors that could compromise the organization's integrity and ensure that the educational resources required are adequately supported.
  • ADVOCACY
    • We will equip professionals with the confidence and competence to engage stakeholders to advance the mission of TRIO further.