Department Features

TRIO ALUM Q&A: ANGIE MCDONNELL

  • BHSU Communications
  • 15 February 2024
The fourth Saturday in February marks National TRIO Day, dedicated to highlighting the aspirations of both young people and adults striving for self-improvement. Join us during the week of February 24th as BHSU TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) celebrates the achievements of our TRIO alumni through fun and insightful Q&A interviews. Discover the inspiring accomplishments of BHSU TRIO graduates and gain insight into what TRIO means to them!

Because of TRIO, I am confident.

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How did you get involved in TRIO? Why did you decide to apply for the program?
Prior to attending Black Hills State University, in the fall of 2016, I traveled to campus for new student registration and orientation. The TRIO program had a booth in the main orientation room, which caught both my mom and I’s eye. Coming from a small town, and with little knowledge of how college "worked" (as neither of my parents attended a 4-year college), I applied for the TRIO program in hopes it would guide and support me along my educational journey. Soon after being accepted, I began meeting with my advisor frequently, retrieved aid from the English specialist, Tom, got involved with the TRIO club, and everything else snowballed from there.

How has your experience with TRIO SSS impacted your academic journey and personal development?
This program has moved mountains for me and I couldn’t be more thankful for all it has done. Specifically, SSS helped me adapt to the college atmosphere, provided both academic and personal support, and inspired me to become more involved with both community and university activities. Being involved and present in this program opened doors for me that I never expected along my journey. It led to job opportunities and various connections that have had a huge impact on who I am today. 

In what ways did the support services provided by TRIO SSS contribute to your achievements in college? Were there any specific resources or workshops offered by TRIO SSS that you found particularly beneficial?
As far as academic support, my advisor and the English specialist were a tremendous help. Every meeting I had with my advisor went smoothly. We began with any concerns I had and discussed how classes were going. Together, we looked at my program evaluation to make sure I was staying on track. Then, we would make sure I had an effective tentative plan for all classes up to graduation. This was absolutely amazing for me because I like to plan ahead and be organized. I always left my meetings feeling excited and passionate about what was to come. As time went on, I found myself lacking confidence in my writing skills and later, struggling with an economics class. With the assistance of the TRIO English specialist and a TRIO economics tutor, I was able to not only find my confidence but excel in my classes. There were a few personal obstacles along the way that involved a friend of mine and I. TRIO was able to step in and guide both of us both mentally and academically. The financial aspect of college is stressful and TRIO did an amazing job in providing me with resources and, at one point, a scholarship. I was fortunate enough to get involved with the TRIO club that eventually led to a leadership position. Through the club, I was able to network with other BHSU students and build up volunteer experience. Being a TRIO student led to countless opportunities involving videography, photography, tutoring, and mentoring, to name a few. The TRIO team was always so encouraging and pushed me to believe in myself more and more every day. 

Can you share advice for current TRIO SSS students or those considering joining the program based on your own experience?
Make a point to be present and get involved. It can be as simple as dedicating a few hours a week to spend in the TRIO area doing homework. Surrounding yourself in an environment that is set up for your success can make a huge impact. You never know what opportunities will arise because you were simply just there.