TRIO program redirects student’s path
Jennifer Ditlevson Haglund
Northwest Missouri State University senior Brandon Thomas found guidance through the TRIO Student Support Services program after a rough freshman year. Thomas plans to graduate December 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in emergency and disaster management with a minor in psychology.
Editor’s note: This story is the first part in a series focusing on young people who have benefited from the TRIO programs in Nodaway County and surrounding areas. TRIO programs are federally funded outreach programs intended to assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in becoming successful and educated.
When Northwest Missouri State University student Brandon Thomas compared his busy senior year full of responsibility to his carefree freshman days, he said some people might not believe the turnaround he made.
In addition to taking classes, Thomas juggles three jobs to pay rent, car payments, and take care of other financial responsibilities. Thomas occasionally serves as a bouncer at Molly’s Party Club and works a maintenance job at Northwest. About two months ago, Thomas joined the Maryville Fire Department as a volunteer, which is a childhood dream of his.
As a freshman, however, Thomas rarely thought about life beyond the moment.
“I actually about failed out my freshman year,” Thomas said. “I had to supersede multiple classes my sophomore year. I had to put in a petition to even come back because I kind of just didn’t go to classes my freshman year.”
Until recently, Thomas said he thought he was brought into the program because of a low ACT score or being on academic probation. He discovered last week that he qualified for the program because he is a first-generation college student.
“I had low grades my freshman year because, in the first year away from family, I didn’t have any rules,” Thomas said.
Thomas joked that he wished he could tell a younger version of himself and others not to drink in college, but he said he’s learned his lesson.
“Every college student, in my opinion, needs to see what they like during college. A lot of people like partying. I’m not one of those people anymore,” he said.
Thomas said that getting his letter informing him of academic suspension was his wake-up call. After a year away from home, Thomas said he didn’t want to go back. He knew it was time to get organized.
Organization, Thomas said, was never his strength. Being in the Student Support Services Program, which is one of the eight federal TRIO programs, helped him with that.
“Since then, it’s just been definitely uphill,” Thomas said.
Reporting to Jacquelyn Loghry, who is the assistant director and learning services coordinator for the SSS program, Thomas found the structure and accountability he needed.
SSS projects aim to provide university students with the skills to achieve basic academic requirements with tutoring, financial aid information, career counseling, and mentoring programs.
“One of the things they helped me with was making sure I do have everything scheduled, providing a planner through the TRIO program…and then just keeping me updated on stuff,” Thomas said.
After his sophomore year, Thomas said he didn’t have to check in as frequently with Loghry and his student advisor, but he still goes into the office to keep in touch to discuss goals.
Deciding his major also motivated Thomas to be prepared. He originally planned to be a meteorologist, but he found the requirements didn’t suit his interests and skill set. After taking the Community Emergency Response Team classes offered at Northwest and participating in Missouri Hope, Thomas found the direction he needed.
“I absolutely fell in love with that and switched my major,” Thomas said.
Hands-on experience changed everything for him. Now Thomas majors in emergency and disaster management and plans to apply to nursing school in order to broaden his employment opportunities. He would like to focus on trauma nursing or work as a nurse on an ambulance.
