For the second year, San Juan College hosted the TRIO Upward Bound Summer Academy, a six-week program designed to provide students with a taste of college life.
San Juan College's TRIO Upward Bound Summer Academy
For the second year, San Juan College hosted the TRIO Upward Bound Summer Academy, a six-week program designed to provide students with a taste of college life. TRIO, a federally-funded initiative, supports individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them graduate with college degrees.
Immersive On-Campus Experience
Students resided at Nizhóní Sunrise Suites on the SJC campus, attending classes to enhance their skills in English Language Arts, Math, and foreign languages. The program also offered elective courses, including indoor rock climbing, robotics, cooking, and painting.
An Adventure Beyond the Classroom
The final week of the Summer Academy was marked by an exciting four-day college tour to Denver, Colorado. In collaboration with other SJC TRIO Programs such as the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), Student Support Services (SSS), Student Support Services STEM-H, and the San Juan College NASANTI program, twenty-seven first-generation students embarked on this educational journey from June 24 to 27.
Exploring Higher Education Opportunities
During their visit, students toured three University of Denver campuses in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs. They interacted with college students and staff, participated in campus activities, and explored potential majors and careers beyond the Four Corners area. Eileen Salazar, SJC TRIO Upward Bound Director, noted, “For many students, this was their first experience leaving the Four Corners. It was an unforgettable adventure for us all.”
Cultural and Recreational Highlights
The trip also included visits to the Denver Art Museum, the Colorado University Museum of Natural History and Museum of Art, plus the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Students also enjoyed an exhilarating river rafting adventure, navigating class 3 and class 4 rapids.
About TRIO Programs
Since 1965, TRIO programs have been pivotal in helping low-income and first-generation students access higher education, now serving students at approximately 3,000 sites across the United States. In New Mexico alone, 42 TRIO programs serve around 10,133 students statewide.
Visit TRIO for more information on their services offered at San Juan College.
