TRIO ended the school year with a plethora of Academic & Community Enrichment workshops covering a variety of topics as well as creating connections amongst the different class levels. We have highlighted a couple of our workshops:
Student Engagement Series: Savvy Shopping on a College Budget
By Krystal Gutierrez ‘27
On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Carleton students gathered for the Student Engagement Series: Savvy Shopping on a College Budget interactive workshop focused on helping them stretch their grocery budgets without sacrificing the foods they enjoy. The event began with dinner, then students completed a digital survey about their confidence in grocery shopping on a budget and in planning meals for multiple days. Many students reported not being very confident with planning meals consistently. To warm up the group, the workshop facilitators, TRIO Director Kim Hildahl and Senior Director of Student Life Judith Pannell, led a fun “This or That: Grocery Edition” activity in which students answered grocery-related trivia questions by moving their hands to indicate their choices (up arrow: head; down arrow: hips). The game brought a lot of laughter, especially when students learned surprising facts, like the average price of bananas being less than $0.70 per pound. The last students standing won prizes, creating a lively and engaging start to the workshop.
Throughout the session, students learned practical strategies for shopping smarter, including how grocery store layouts, background music, smells, checkout lanes, end caps, and eye-level product placement can encourage impulse buying. They also learned how to use unit pricing to compare value, when to choose store brands over name brands, and how staple foods (e.g., rice, beans, pasta, eggs, potatoes, oatmeal, frozen veggies) can stretch meals across the week. One of the biggest takeaways was that meal planning can save money, reduce food waste, save time, support healthier eating habits, and make busy weeks feel less stressful. Students applied what they learned by creating a three-day shopping list and meal plan within a $45 budget, including breakfast, lunch, dinner,and snacks. Many students found the activity realistic and helpful, and by the end of the workshop, several reported feeling more confident about grocery shopping on a budget. This event was part of the Student Engagement Series sponsored by the Dean of Students Office, so keep an eye on the TRIO Instagram @carletontriosss or Student Life Calendar for upcoming events designed to support students with practical skills, connection, and community!
Here are other events that were offered this term through the Student Engagement Series:
- Buying a Car – Can You Afford it? with Student Engagement Series
- Investing 101 with Student Engagement Series
- Understanding Benefits & Paychecks with Student Engagement Series
Academic Workshop: Work Together, Build Together: Creating Campus Community
By Nathaniel Conroy ’28
On Monday, April 13th, many first-year TRIO students shuffled into the Multicultural Center for one common goal: to work together to build a comprehensive and supportive TRIO cohort and learn more about teamwork and, ultimately, each other.
After conversation over charcuterie boards, the TRIO Peer Leaders, Robert Los and Amir Etemadi, gave an introductory speech on the importance of teamwork, placemaking, and ultimately the goal of the workshop being to consolidate these principles into a demonstrable workshop where students can see these things working amongst them as they engage in exciting activities.
After the speech, students broke into groups to work together to build a tall, stable tower using dry spaghetti noodles and marshmallows. Students’ engineering and teamwork skills were tested as they rushed through an allotted 10 minutes to build the tallest tower. While there was only one leader, every single group took something important away from this activity: they worked together with their peers to build towards a common goal and facilitated dialogue with each other to arrive at choices that were the best for the group.
Students then moved to the final event for the day: for them to write something they accomplished and were proud of on a mini paper flag affixed to a toothpick and plant it into a TRIO-themed cake. This was an important wrap-up for the event as it challenged students to look inward and find something they worked extremely hard for and to share it with everyone else. After everyone was finished, the cake was cut and students could see which flag came with their cake.
This event is one of the many important events that TRIO does for its students, as it showcases the importance of teamwork, placemaking, and development of community within Carleton College.
TRIO also offered other Academic Workshops this term such as:
- Sophomores – Writing Portfolio Work Time
- Sophomores & Juniors – External Fellowships Workshop
- Juniors – What to Expect for Comps
- Choose Your Own Adventure: Life After Carleton
- Seniors – Loan Repayment Workshop
Community Enrichment Event: iGrad & Ice Cream
By Nathaniel Conroy ’28
On Friday, May 1, 2026, students shuffled into the TRIO house to enjoy many flavors of ice cream while completing the iGrad portion of their Individual Success Plans. This event marks the second event and a chance for students who could not attend the first one to gather and complete their iGrad financial literacy activity. This event brought many students to catch up, enjoy hearty flavors like neapolitan, mint, and vanilla, and discuss their plans for the upcoming midterm break. Students broke out into groups of discussions or board games. These events are great ways for students to organize and complete an essential component of their success plan, bringing many people together for their shared love of ice cream and conversation while completing an essential task, allowing TRIO students and their peers to destress after a stressful five weeks.
Here’s a list of other Community Enrichment Events that TRIO offered this term:
- iGrad & Ice Cream #1
- Fist-Gen Friday
- Poetry Night
- Create a Zine
- TRIO & OIL Mystery Trip
- Comfort Food Friday
- End of Year BBQ Celebration
Celebrating our 2026 TRIO Seniors
By Rimona Zhang ’28
On May 21st, 2026, TRIO hosted its annual Senior Recognition Dinner for graduating members in the class of 2026. Held in the Great Hall, the event brought together graduating seniors, invited faculty and staff, and TRIO advisors to celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2026.
The event began with a banquet dinner, where students had time to catch up with friends and converse with professors and faculty. Once dinner began, Kim Hildahl, director of TRIO/Student Support Services, gave a brief introduction and congratulated all the seniors. Reflecting on their arrival at Carleton as first-year students, she recalled the excitement and uncertainty that accompanied the start of their college journey. She spoke about witnessing their growth and resilience over the past four years, expressing her pride in the graduating members of the class of 2026.
Next, President Byerly spoke about her experience in witnessing the importance of the TRIO program. She recalled several moments passing by the TRIO House during Comfort Food Friday, an event held at the end of each term where students can enjoy catered food, and seeing the vibrant sense of community that filled the space. She also took notice of strong attendance at TRIO workshops on topics such as financial literacy, academic resources, and health and well-being. This not only emphasized their impact beyond program participants, but also reflected the strength of the TRIO community and the broad reach of the resources it provides.
Following President Byerly were speeches by Miah Francis and Francisco Arenas, both students from the class of ‘26. In her remarks, Miah reflected on the opportunities and support that TRIO helped make accessible. From understanding and handling financial documents to advocating for TRIO on Capitol Hill, Miah emphasized the importance the program had in navigating her college experience. Next, Francisco spoke about TRIO and how it helped him adapt to challenges as a first-generation student. He recounted hearing a classmate call a parent for help with a biology question, a moment that highlighted the differences in access to resources and support systems among students. But through TRIO, Francisco conveyed how he was introduced to many support services on campus. Having also been a TRIO Peer Leader for two years, he described mentoring fellow students as one of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of his time at Carleton.
Afterwards, the TRIO advisors and staff proceeded with a student recognition ceremony. Advisors recognized their students individually, presenting each with a TRIO graduation stole in a bag with other small gifts to celebrate their achievements. Michael Thompson, Alumni Relations Director, then said a few words echoing the sentiment of “once a Carl, always a Carl”, wishing the students well on their future endeavors and reminding them to stay connected beyond Carleton. To close the ceremony, Dean Livingston made a few remarks to the graduating class. She encouraged graduates to carry forward the spirit of support and mentorship they had received through TRIO by creating opportunities for others in the future.
The evening served as both a celebration and a reflection on the lasting impact of TRIO. Through stories of growth and community, the Senior Recognition Dinner highlighted the meaningful connections, opportunities, and support that shaped the experiences of the Class of 2026, which will stay with them far in the future beyond Carleton.
