TRIO Students Network with Graduate Programs, Connect with Alumni in D.C.

Thirty-one student scholars in Fisher’s TRIO program recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit graduate and medical schools, meet with Fisher alumni, and take in all that the nation’s capital has to offer.

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded program that provides support services to first-generation college students, limited-income students, or students with a documented disability enrolled at the College. Included in the program are initiatives and activities that prepare students for life after Fisher. The trip to Washington helped do just that for students.

The group’s first stop was the Biomedical Graduate Education Office at Georgetown University where they had a tour of Georgetown University and were then invited to a reception to meet staff and faculty from Georgetown’s Biomedical Programs. 

“A large portion of our group is interested in the biomedical world and medical school and Georgetown truly shined,” said Gabe Iturbides, TRIO SSS program director at Fisher. “One oncology professor invited a group of students to check out his lab, as well as multimillion-dollar lab machines. Some of the faculty talked to the students about pathways to medical school.”

On the second day, they traveled to the University of Maryland and toured the campus. According to Iturbides, some of the students had personal connections there while others met with faculty members.

The group also had the opportunity to visit several monuments and museums, as well as the National Mall. Before their departure, the TRIO Scholars participated in an alumni networking event.  

“This was impressive because all of the alumni came from different paths and majors, but at the end of the day, they bonded over the fact they all had the Fisher experience,” said Iturbides. “This was also the first opportunity for some to network in such a setting.”

Eligible TRIO students may receive personal and academic career counseling, career guidance, instruction, mentoring, and tutoring. They have also formed a community of scholar support.

“TRIO Scholars are impressive Fisher students.  They work hard, have great grades, and are model citizens on campus.  I would like to say that the TRIO SSS staff pushes them to be leaders, but in reality, the students push themselves and each other to succeed and become better every day,” said Iturbides. “TRIO SSS has created a community focusing on personal and academic success. Our scholars are already moving on to amazing careers and other pursuits in higher education.”