TRiO program gets a fourth player, $675,000 grant

ESU's TRiO program was recently awarded a new Talent Search Grant through the U.S. Department of Education. (l to r) Janice Perez, Program Coordinator; Julie Cayton, Educational Specialist; and Trudi Benjamin, TRiO Programs director are gearing up for the new program that encourages students as young as middle school to seek a college degree.

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Emporia State University’s TRIO program was awarded a new Talent Search Grant through the U.S. Department of Education this fall. This $657,000.00 grant ($219,000.00 per year for three years) will afford ESU the opportunity to strengthen partnerships with area communities and begin encouraging students as young as middle school to seek a college degree.

“We were very excited to get this grant,” said Trudi Benjamin, TRIO Programs director. “With this grant we will be able to benefit the Emporia community as well as communities in other parts of Kansas. Through this program we have the opportunity to reach more students and help more students go to college.”

ESU’s Talent Search program joins three other TRIO programs: two Upward Bound programs, one serving the Emporia area and one serving northeast Kansas and southwest Missouri, and one Student Support Services program. Talent Search will run from September 2006 through August 2010. Talent Search also has an office in Leavenworth. The director for the Leavenworth office is Lee Stephenson and Corazon McGhee serves as the Educational Specialist.

 “The Talent Search program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to the postsecondary institution of their choice,” Benjamin said. “Talent Search also serves high school dropouts by encouraging them to reenter the education system and complete their education. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youths from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in postsecondary education institutions of their choice.”

Talent Search provide tutorial services, career exploration, aptitude assessments, counseling, mentoring programs, workshops, and information on postsecondary institutions.

“We assist with career options, financial aid, time management, study skills, mentoring programs, assistance in completing college admissions and financial aid applications and assistance in preparing for college entrance exams,” Benjamin said.

Janice Perez was recently hired as the coordinator of ESU’s Talent Search program. Perez earned both a bachelor of science in psychology with a minor in rehabilitation services and a master of science in rehabilitation counseling from ESU.

“I heard great things about the TRIO programs offered by ESU. When I heard about this new program, I was excited and did not want to miss this opportunity. I graduated from ESU and believe this is an excellent institution,” Perez said.

Before joining the ESU community, Perez, was a case manager for children services at the Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas. She also served as a facilitator for the Family Solutions program.

Some of her duties include recruiting students from Emporia High School, Emporia Middle School and students working on their GED or high school diploma. She is also responsible for facilitating workshops that relate to career development, college admission requirements, preparing for the ACT, scholarship information and taking students to tour different colleges and universities.

“My goal is to recruit 225 students and increase their desire to continue with higher education and help them increase their educational aspirations,” Perez said.

Another ESU alum, Julie Cayton, is the Educational Specialist for the ESU Talent Search program. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and special education in 1993 and a master’s degree in special education in 1995.

“I enjoy teaching and helping students reach their goals, the great atmosphere and culture of a college campus, and coming back to a wonderful university where I have fond memories,” Cayton said.

Before coming to ESU, Cayton was a Learning Specialist at Dixie College in St. George, Utah. She also worked as a private tutor and community education instructor in Kansas City and an adult education instructor in Newton.

Cayton is responsible for identifying individuals who have the desire and motivation to continue to postsecondary education and inviting them to participate in the Talent Search program. She will also help students learn the necessary skills and resources needed to successfully transition to postsecondary education.

“ My initial goals for this position are to share with others the great potential of the Talent Search program; success in filling all participant spots; and help develop programming that will be valuable to our students,” Cayton said.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>