As the winter term comes to a close, I am once again amazed by how quickly it flew by and I am impressed by what TRIO has accomplished in just 10 weeks. From rock climbing with our first-year students to attending Comps presentations by some of our seniors, it was great to witness students’ growth and confidence, no matter where they are on their academic journey.
One of the most significant milestones this term was welcoming 35 new students into our TRIO family! It has been great getting to know each of their unique stories and I am so glad we are able to provide the support, resources, and opportunities to navigate and thrive at Carleton. Bringing in this new cohort strengthens our commitment to ensuring equitable access to education and success.
During week two TRIO hosted our annual First-Year Retreat at Base Camp in St. Paul. We had a great time rock climbing and completing team-building and leadership activities. I enjoyed the camaraderie, encouragement, and determination students showed as they challenged themselves and cheered on their peers. Although I was one of the first participants out in a game of blind-folded dodgeball, I had just as much fun watching students learn communication skills in a unique way!
On Midterm Monday, we also had the opportunity to visit the University of Minnesota Medical School. Students explored graduate school options, connected with professors and researchers, and learned about what it takes to pursue careers in the medical field. During a graduate student panel, participants discussed their research and shared insights into what a “day in the life” looks like for them. This gave TRIO students insight into what steps they can take now to make sure they’re prepared for the rigors of graduate school in health and medical fields.
As we look ahead to the spring term, our team is excited to continue supporting each of you as you work toward your goals. I am looking forward to coming together to hear your creativity during Poetry Night, learning new skills at our professional etiquette dinner, and celebrating our seniors at the Senior Recognition Dinner. It’s going to be a great term!