The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) announced that its TRIO Student Support Services program will end at the close of August due to a loss of federal funding. The program, which has operated for 25 years, has provided support for first-generation college students, those from low-income backgrounds, and students with documented disabilities.
TRIO at CSN has served more than 3,000 students since 2000. The program offered services such as personalized advising, transfer preparation, financial aid guidance, and community building. Under Director Nicholas Goodsell’s leadership in recent years, the program supported over 200 students annually and reported an average 90 percent rate of academic good standing and persistence. Graduation rates for participants often exceeded national averages.
Many alumni have gone on to become lawyers, doctoral students, and civic leaders. Nationally, TRIO programs have helped millions of students. U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford credited TRIO at UNR for helping him find his voice and believe in his future. At CSN, student Yvette Machado used TRIO to gain confidence and leadership skills before attending Boyd Law at UNLV.
"It is unfortunate that the federal funding has ended," the statement read. "This moment also calls us to action. Even without a formal TRIO program, the work of supporting first-gen, Pell-eligible, and disabled students is far from over — it’s simply shifting."
CSN plans to continue supporting these student groups through existing campus resources.
"CSN remains committed to serving these students through existing campus resources, but the most important resource will always be you," the statement said. "Every faculty and staff member has the power to help a student feel seen, heard, and supported."
"Let us honor the legacy of TRIO by continuing its mission in our own classrooms, offices, and conversations," according to CSN officials.