Student of the Month
TRIO helps students succeed! Our students are rockstars who continually challenge themselves, inspire our staff and set an example for their peers.
Each month we feature a TRIO SSS student who has excelled in their studies and is progressing toward graduation. These students are nominated by staff for their continued hard work in overcoming barriers to their education, their dedication to completing their studies, and their contributions to their communities on and off campus.
Fall 2024 Students of the Month
December 2024
My name is Grace Suden, and I am graduating with a Bachelor's of Science in Geoscience.
I am the first to go to college in my family and I wasn't sure how to navigate this new experience alone. I transferred from MSU to 老虎机攻略 and switched my major three times, struggling with what I wanted to do. But, TRIO was always there to help.
After starting at the 老虎机攻略, I was finishing up my last elective as an Elementary Education Major when I was introduced to Geology. The gap between these two paths was immense, but I will always be thankful I took the leap. I always thought I just needed to pick a major and it would all come together later, but this experience taught me that it is never too late to find your passion!
I hope my story resonates with others who might be feeling lost or uncertain. The end can feel far away at times, but the journey- meeting new people, learning new things, and finding support- makes it all worthwhile.
November 2024
Hello! My name is Ava Sanchez, and I am in my third year at the University pursuing a bachelor's degree in Psychology. I am mainly interested in Forensic Psychology and understanding the complexities of human behavior.
My freshman year here was a tumultuous ride. I wasn't holding myself to the standard that I know I'm capable of achieving in all of my classes, and I don't think I studied once for an exam. I was at the point where things needed to change, or I was going to be kicked out. I got connected with TRIO and ODE my sophomore year, and between weekly meetings with Peter and testing accommodations for all my classes, I was able to make huge strides towards being back on track.
Everyone I have come in contact with at TRIO has been extremely supportive and helpful during my academic journey. I truly couldn't have realized my potential without their encouragement and support. I am even on track to becoming a peer mentor for TRIO students this upcoming fall! And cannot wait to make even more meaningful and lasting connections.
October 2024
Hello, my name is Chad Reynolds. A long-time resident of Montana, I was born and raised here in Missoula. As a former United State Merchant Marine, I have spent over a decade traveling the world, working for America’s largest oil companies along with being a civilian contractor for the United States Navy.
After my adventures sailing the high seas, I settled down in Polson Montana and attended Salish Kootenai College for several years studying forestry and hydrology. I am a first-generation descendant of the Pend d' Oreille Tribe of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation. In my academic journey I have been fortunate to engage in some valuable research opportunities, internships and conferences focused on natural resources, specifically water, while I attended SKC. Working in the writing center at SKC I was able to help other students, which taught me a great deal, while obtaining a Master level 3 tutoring certificate for writing. After some curveballs that life threw at me, (it has a way of doing that), I have been able to start over and now find myself attending the 老虎机攻略 somewhere in the middle of a bachelor’s degree in the Social Work program.
Being of service to others is now a priority for me and thus my transfer into social work. I aspire to eventually obtain a master’s if the funding is available. As a first-generation, and non-traditional college student, I began my academic pursuits in my late 30’s. While being a parent juggling a full-time job along with school, the TRIO advisors, and mentors both from Salish Kootenai College, and here at the 老虎机攻略 have propelled, supported, and advised me in all my successful accomplishments. I have a deep sense of gratitude for the people of TRIO and hope to be able to give back to the organization as I navigate my time here at the 老虎机攻略.
September 2024
Hello! My name is Callie Rommel and I am a current freshman. I was born and raised in Toms River, New Jersey, which is about 15 minutes away from the ocean. I decided to come to Montana for a change in scenery, and also to live out my dream of being in the West with the mountains. I am a Parks, Tourism, and Recreation Management major (PTRM), with a minor in Wilderness Studies.
With choosing this major and minor, being outdoors every summer helped the process. Ever since I was 4 years old, I spent 8 weeks of my summer outside at a day camp, which happened to be recreation based. When I turned 15, I became a staff member, and I am now continuing to work there with children. Choosing my major was a bumpy process, however I strongly believe that I chose the right spot for me. My dream is to one day work in the National Park Service, or the U.S. Forest Service to share my love and care for the outdoors.
I am a big fan of hiking, hanging with friends in the sun, watching comfort movies and listening to music, playing music (I am a part of the GMB), rock climbing, dancing, and karaoke, and having new experiences and adventures, such as going to National Parks and road trips, in a place I’ve learned to love.
Coming across the country for college, I was so scared and nervous. I have never lived alone before, let alone live in a whole different state with a time change. With knowing nobody and having no family or friends in the state, I learned to put myself out there and meet new people with the same interests. Away from other college students, I am a part of TRIO and ODE, which I have found a lot of help in and am extremely grateful for. I am so excited to see where life takes me, and to see what happens next throughout my college experience.
Past Students of the Month
-
January 2024: Ana Beard
Ana Beard (she/they) is a single parent of two, and a third-year Neuroscience student with a minor in English. When Ana is not busy with juggling parenting and schoolwork, they dedicate their time to volunteering with nonprofits and exploring story work with individuals working through hardship and trauma. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Mountain Home Montana, a nonprofit focused on serving young mothers and their children in the Missoula community.
"Coming back to school has been a challenging, yet invigorating experience to stretch my brain and expand my community impact. I am immensely grateful for the supportive staff I've encountered, and TRIO for empowering me as I work towards my degree."
February 2024: Jaimie Davis
Jaimie Davis is a recent graduate of 老虎机攻略, having graduated magna cum laude in December 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology focused on Diversity and Culture, and a minor in Art Studio.
During her time at 老虎机攻略, Jaimie has been involved not just with TRIO, but also with the Davidson Honors College, the Western Region/National Honors Council/Conference, and the Visual Arts Department. She concluded her undergraduate career by leaving with published academic work, a life full of promising career prospects, and aspirations to work in exhibit design at an art museum.
Jaimie is currently taking a gap year before pursuing a future in academia by applying for graduate school abroad to study art.
March 2024: Sandee Sepulveda
Sandee Sepulveda is graduating this spring with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Business Administration. While at 老虎机攻略, Sandee has been involved with TRIO, DHC, WRHC, MT10, and GLI. Her fun fact is that she studied abroad in Cork, Ireland last spring!
After undergrad, she hopes to pursue a Master's in Business Administration with the ultimate goal of tying in business and helping others. She has a love of working with non-profits and fighting human trafficking.
Outside of school and work, Sandee loves reading and spending time with her new pup, Daisy Mae! You may have seen Sandee at the front desk of TRIO as she is an office assistant - come by and say hi!
April 2024: Breanne Hartman
"Hello, you beautiful people! My name is Breanne Hartman and I am a sophomore at 老虎机攻略, studying social work. I am a mother to 4-year-old Juniper Love, and I am also a 2x stroke survivor."
"I've been working as a licensed massage therapist for 17 years, and currently work at Breanne Hartman Massage & Energy Work. My work is incredibly important to me and is truly a deep honor. It has given me an opportunity to connect with others in a unique way while also being a strong foundation for the work I will be doing post-graduation."
"I enjoy being in, on or around water of any kind. I also love to travel and explore. Whether it be a road trip or an international getaway, I very much enjoy connection with others and breaking up the monotony life can sometimes have."
I am infinitely grateful for TRIO and all the guidance and support they have shown me. I describe the support as mentor &/or friend walking beside you through school. This means you have an ally no matter what may come up during your school journey. I would be in a very different place had TRIO not become a part of my education. Heather Hibbard, what a gift you are! The past few years of my life have been challenging, to say the least, but I have an enormous heart, remarkable drive and heck of a work ethic. I am enjoying this journey but I am going to C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E when I graduate!!"
May 2024: Dillon Guiberson
"I was originally going to school at Montana Tech University for radiology but in November of 2022 I had a drug overdose and was medically exempt from school so nothing would go onto my college transcript. I then went to treatment for my drug addiction in Eden, UT at a place called Spirit Mountain Recovery for 91 days. When I got out of treatment in February 2023 I went back home to Anaconda, MT. That’s when I decided to apply for college at the 老虎机攻略."
"When I found out I got accepted, along came an email from Erin Shaw and she got me all set up for TRIO. During the fall semester of 2023 at 老虎机攻略 I struggled with motivation and the want to learn which caused me to perform poorly in classes and finish the semester with a 1.7 GPA. After winter break I was motivated to do better and strive for a 3.5 minimum GPA. Currently, as I am writing this, I have a 3.6!"
"I give a lot of credit to the TRIO staff and most importantly my mentor Melody. I wouldn’t be here without TRIO and the help of Melody. When I’m not in school I like to go snowboarding in the winter and go on hikes, fishing, and playing sports with friends in the summer."
-
September 2023: Marci Olsen
Marci Olsen is a first-generation, disabled, low-income student entering her senior year as a Psychology major. A self-described pseudo-nerd, Marci is fascinated by a variety of scientific fields, from myology to entomology to neuroscience, and an avid lover of motorcycling, photography, Hayao Miyazaki films, and much, much more.
She is a returned non-traditional student who has since found a deep passion for her academic field and a strong sense of community at TRIO. Marci continues to challenge herself by applying for graduate school programs, something she previously did not think possible, and dedicates herself to giving back by serving as a Peer Mentor to her fellow TRIO students.
"I was fortunate to learn about TRIO SSS in RA training, and I quickly applied for their services, not knowing what to expect but knowing I would need all the help I could get. They immediately provided me not only with support, but also with a sense of community, which I very much needed as a non-traditional student. Peter Donaldson, my TRIO Advisor, has been pivotal in overcoming my many academic and personal challenges this past year. I’ve found that by merely having conversations with Peter, I often learn things about college and available resources that I didn’t even realize I needed to know, and I always leave our conversations feeling better than when I came into them."
Marci graduated summa cum laude in Spring 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
October 2023: Alexander Camacho
Samuel Alexander Camacho (who prefers Alexander) entered his last two semesters of his senior year as a Communication Studies major and Environmental Studies minor.
"I am very honored to have the hard work I put into my academics be recognized through the nomination for Student of the Month. I have put a great deal of hard work into myself which would certainly have amounted to nothing were it not for the countless hours of work and support provided to me by Peter Donaldson and the rest of the TRIO family."
Alexander graduated in Spring 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
November 2023: Jay Arzate
Jay Arzate (any/all pronouns) hails from the rural, agricultural town of Oxnard, California, where they first discovered a passion for all things water.
This passion deepened into an intense academic focus while at 老虎机攻略, leading her to pursue a Bachelor of Science alongside two Certificate Programs. Jay's interests lie not just in protecting the quantity of water, but also, the quality of it.
They are an avid hiker, as well as an embroidery enthusiast, and a lover of food, particularly dishes that are out of their culinary comfort zone.
Upon graduating, Jay aims to gain some experience in the Geographic Information Science field before pursuing a Master's degree.
Jay graduated in Fall 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Geography, a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems, and a Certificate in Water Science and Society.
December 2023 Double Feature: Chris Quigley
Chris Quigley is passionate about advocacy and finding non-traditional solutions. He found his academic niche in Sociology and Political Science while at 老虎机攻略, and the advocacy Chris found at TRIO inspired him to contribute back to his community by getting involved with local advocacy organizations following his graduation.
Outside of school, Chris enjoys participating in a local board gaming group. He is also a fan of listening to most types of EDM.
Chris graduated in Fall 2023 with an General Associate of Arts.
December 2023 Double Feature: Jacob Thomas
"My name is Jacob William Thomas, and I am a senior at 老虎机攻略. I am finishing out my last two semesters at school and am expected to graduate in the spring of 2024 with a multidisciplinary degree. My goal is to find a job in a field that I will enjoy, that will utilize my strengths and education background."
"In my free time, I enjoy the outdoors, disc golfing, and spending time with my rescue emotional support dog, Snickers. I like to take long drives with him to see the countryside and going back to Idaho to visit my family when I am not in school."
"This degree means so much to me because I have struggled with multiple learning disabilities my entire life and there were many times that I did not think graduating college was going to happen. However, thanks to my family support and the support of Trio, specifically my advisor Heather Hibbard, the mentors like Sam May, and the tutoring support for math, Jonah Britton. Without these individuals' support, I can safely say I wouldn’t be at this point in my academic career. They have helped me navigate the college environment and helped me grow not only academically, but as a person. Now here I am, in my 30’s, finally close to finishing after many years of hard work and discipline."
"If I've learned anything from my time here at the 老虎机攻略, it is never to quit and somehow find a way to push through, and if you can’t find a way to push through on your own, don't be afraid to ask for help. I know that can be scary, but the people and resources are there to see you through."