Education has been called the great equalizer, and for decades Federal TRIO Programs have been removing barriers to postsecondary education for first-generation, income-eligible students, and students with disabilities.
On Saturday, February 28, 2026, Lane Community College will join colleges and universities across the United States in celebrating the 40th annual National TRIO Day, recognizing the transformative impact of the Federal TRIO Programs and honoring the achievements of its students. Established by Congress in 1986, National TRIO Day encourages communities to focus on educational access, academic persistence, and the power of college opportunity to change lives.
To mark this milestone, Lane’s TRIO team will host an open house earlier in the week:
- National TRIO Day Open House
- Thursday, February 26, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Lane Community College, Building 1, Room 219
Community members, students, and employees are invited to stop by to mingle, learn more about TRIO Student Support Services (SSS), and help celebrate 40 years of National TRIO Day.
“TRIO students are scholars, problem-solvers, community builders, and future leaders,” said Andi Graham, Interim Manager of TRIO SSS at Lane Community College. “National TRIO Day is our opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring students have the support and resources they need to reach their academic and career goals.”
“For forty years, National TRIO Day has served as a powerful reminder that talent is universal, but opportunity is not,” said Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE). “This milestone year honors the millions of students and alumni who have turned their dreams into degrees, careers, and lifelong contributions to their communities. As we celebrate this anniversary, we recommit ourselves to protecting and strengthening TRIO so future generations can continue to thrive.”
TRIO programs provide services such as academic guidance, tutoring, advising, mentoring, college success coaching, financial literacy, transfer advising, financial aid support, and career development resources for eligible students. Nationally, TRIO programs serve more than 800,000 individuals each year, including middle school, high school, and college students, adult learners, veterans, and graduate scholars.
National TRIO Day began in 1986 when Congress passed a resolution recognizing the Federal TRIO Programs and calling for a national day of celebration, community service, and advocacy in support of students who face systemic barriers to higher education. This year marks the 40th annual National TRIO Day and celebrates the legacy of programs that have helped more than six million students earn college degrees.
For more information about Lane’s National TRIO Day Open House or to learn more about TRIO Student Support Services, please contact Lane’s TRIO Office at (541) 463-3131, or TRIO@lanecc.edu, and learn more at lanecc.edu/TRIO.
Lane Community College educates over 17,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $675 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 8,900 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.