Under a bright November sky, students from colleges across Alabama gathered on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol on Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. to celebrate National First-Generation Scholars Day and to advocate for TRIO programs that have shaped their lives. Their voices carried across the historic grounds as a reminder that access to education changes families, communities and futures across this state.
The students represented the more than six million first-generation TRIO alumni nationwide. They gathered not only to celebrate, but to make sure lawmakers continued to understand the impact of TRIO programs.
State Representative Parker Moore set the tone when he addressed the crowd of first-generation scholars.
“Maybe you are the first in your family to plan for college,” he said. “Maybe you have had to work harder than most just to stay focused, or maybe you have had people doubt what you could achieve. But let me tell you this: You belong here. You deserve to dream big, have opportunities and succeed no matter your past.”
That message resonated through the Capitol plaza, especially for students who are navigating college without a family blueprint.
TRIO programs were created for students whose parents did not complete a four-year degree, for students balancing work and family responsibilities, and for students whose circumstances could have pushed them out of the pipeline without support.
Vice President of Alabama TRIO, Charlotta Wiggins, Ph.D., explained the foundation of the organization.
“TRIO programs coined the term ‘first-generation’ back in 1964,” she said. “TRIO programs provide free tutoring, free printing and wrap-around support to help students gain the life skills they need to succeed and graduate.”
She also emphasized that TRIO serves both traditional and non-traditional students. “The only requirement is that you are first-gen or low-income, regardless of age,” she said. “We have programs for middle school through doctoral preparation. As long as you qualify, you belong in TRIO.” She added that national graduation and retention rates for TRIO programs average between 80% and 90%, a number she said proves the programs change lives.
Michael Harrison, president of the Alabama TRIO Association, highlighted the scale of TRIO’s reach.
“Alabama TRIO is 55 years old,” he said. “We serve thousands of students through Talent Search, Upward Bound, Student Support Services, McNair and Educational Opportunity Centers. Education changes families and communities, and these programs make that possible.”
He noted that millions of federal dollars come into Alabama specifically to support first-generation, low-income and disabled students.
“These programs are boots on the ground,” he said. “We work with students from sixth grade to the doctoral level to help them navigate the landscape of higher education.”
Throughout the program, students and staff shared personal experiences about how TRIO changed their educational paths.
Hannah Hennessy, a senior computer science major at the University of Montevallo, said TRIO helped her discover opportunities she did not know existed.
“TRIO has enriched me and taught me so much,” she said. “It opened doors I did not even know were there.”
Former President of Alabama TRIO Rick Tate, reminded the crowd that advocacy remains essential as programs continue to face funding uncertainties. He said events like the Capitol gathering help ensure that first-generation students remain visible to lawmakers and the public.
“It is important that students are seen and visible,” Tate said. “We have to advocate, support and empower our young scholars.”
One of the most emotional moments came from Phyllis Dickens, a senior social work major at Troy University and a non-traditional student who turned to TRIO for help years earlier.
“They said, ‘Yes, we can help you,’” Dickens said through tears as she recalled struggling to afford textbooks. “TRIO became a place of safety. TRIO became family.”
At Alabama State University alone, more than 38% of the student body is first-generation. Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Malinda Swoope, Ph.D., reminded the crowd of the university’s commitment to students breaking generational barriers. “When one student rises, a family rises. A community rises. A future rises,” Swoope said.
Co-chair of the event Danetta Battle reinforced why celebrating first-generation success matters.
“TRIO students are defined by their courage to take the first step and keep going,” Battle said. “They are defined by resilience, by hope and by the belief that education changes everything.”
She also noted the significance of standing on the same steps where George Wallace once declared, “Segregation now, segregation today, and segregation forever.” Battle told the crowd, “But look at us today. We are all here together. We are one.” She closed with a reminder from Nelson Mandela, saying, “Education is the most important weapon you have to change the world. Do not forget about TRIO. Come back. Give back. Be the example for the next student.”
Shantel Barginere of Troy University, secretary of Alabama TRIO and co-chair of the event, explained the work behind bringing hundreds of students to the Capitol.
“We had to plan every detail, from shirts and transportation to Capitol permits and guided tours,” she said. “Some students have never visited the Capitol before. We wanted this to be meaningful.”
Barginere encouraged students across Alabama to “level up, lead and inspire,” a message she said reflects the purpose of TRIO and the reason they gather at the Capitol each year.
As students filled the steps, posed for photos and toured the Capitol, the message remained clear. TRIO works.
