TRIO

Download our Winter 2010 newsletter

University of North Dakota Trio Programs, Cara Davis received the Rising Star Award at the ASPIRE Regional conference held October 10th through the 13th in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Rising Star Award is presented to a member of ASPIRE who has worked for a TRIO program for less than one to two years and has excelled at providing services to TRIO and/or ASPIRE at the local, state, or regional levels. Cara is an Instructor Coordinator/ Advisor for the University of North Dakota Upward Bound TRIO Program.

Two University of North Dakota alumni were honored recently at the regional conference for TRIO Professionals in Cheyenne, WY. Amy Fisher and Robert Hewitt received the ASPIRE TRIO Achievers Award.

“I want all women to know their worth and that they too can walk into TRIO and say ‘I want to go to college, please help me,’ and I want them to know that TRIO will help them,” said Fisher.

Fisher is an advocate and volunteer for the Grand Forks Community Violence Intervention Center.. Fisher, a single mother, earned her degree in social work and has gone on to work for the CVIC. She has volunteered hundreds of hours educating others on domestic violence and what they can do to help those trapped in this situation. She has served on statewide committees and groups.

“Amy is a compassionate, intelligent, hardworking, and courageous woman. She has taken a horrific experience and turned it into something that will improve countless lives. I am truly inspired by her journey,” said Kristi Hall-Jiran, Executive Director of the CVIC.

Hewitt is the supervisor of waste management and recycling and coordinator of environmental safety at Altru Health Systems in Grand Forks. Robert received his degree in Occupational Safety and Environmental Health from Industrial Technology at UND. Hewitt was involved in acquiring safety grant funding for Altru and reduced patient lifting injuries by 50 % which not only reduced insurance premiums for the hospital, but made the employees safer at the workplace.
Hewitt is an advocate for TRIO students and programs, he served as a motivational speaker for TRIO students and alum. In addition, he taught computer courses for the Veteran Upward Bound TRIO program at the University of North Dakota.

“Robert fearlessly overcame all of the obstacles inherent in the college experience of an adult student including a physical disability,” said Cheryl Kingsbury, Hewitt’s former advisor at TRIO.