(From Crowder College)The U.S. Department of Education recently announced continued funding for Crowder College TRIO programs: Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Center (EOC). These programs provide educational access, college readiness, and workforce development services to 2,287 participants annually across southwest Missouri.
"We are thrilled the Department of Education continued funding for our TRIO programs,” said Dr. Chett Daniel, Crowder College President. “This was a competitive application year and continued funding speaks to the incredible impact of our programs as well as the quality of our staff leading them. TRIO works! These programs strengthen rural communities in our region and provide critical support to help students and adults overcome barriers and achieve their educational and career goals.”
The Educational Opportunity Center was awarded $284,745 annually to serve 1,017 adult participants in Barry, Barton, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, and Vernon counties. The program provides individualized assistance with high school equivalency completion, college admissions, financial aid applications, career and workforce pathway exploration, apprenticeships, industry-recognized credentials, digital literacy, financial literacy, and workforce technology skills, including the use of artificial intelligence tools in the workplace.
In addition, Crowder College received funding in the amounts of $346,164 and $288, 470 annually for two Talent Search programs that will serve a combined 1,270 students in grades 6-12 in the region. Talent Search currently serves the following school districts: Neosho, Seneca,
McDonald County, Wheaton, SWR-5, East Newton, Cassville, Pierce City, Monett, and Exeter.
Through Talent Search, students receive year-round academic and college readiness support, including individual advising, academic success workshops, college campus visits, career exploration activities, workforce development experiences, educational enrichment opportunities, financial literacy education, and counseling services designed to increase high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates.
