After completing four years of service as a combat medic on the East Coast, Joanna Ruiz returned to Fresno, her hometown, in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Fresno State. A first-generation, veteran student, Ruiz said the support resources offered through the university’s TRIO Student Support Services programs made Fresno State a “clear choice.”
Established at the university in 1994, TRIO Student Support Services is a federally funded TRIO grant program under the U.S. Department of Education that serves first-generation students, students from low-income backgrounds and students with a disability. The program is one of eight TRIO programs nationwide offering academic tutoring, financial aid literacy, career and college mentoring and other forms of assistance to enhance academic success.
Fresno State’s TRIO Student Support Services Veterans program, established in 2014, offers the same support resources as the general program but is designed to meet the specific needs of students who are also veterans, reservists, active duty and National Guard.
“I am deeply grateful for the TRIO program; not only has it been an academic resource but a lifeline,” Ruiz said.
“Before joining, I was terrified and nervous about navigating college as a veteran who had taken a four-year gap from school, but TRIO has provided mentorship, guidance and a sense of community. I have felt supported in every step.”
In the 2024-25 academic year, Fresno State’s TRIO Student Support Services general and veterans programs served 279 students combined. Of the $3.17 million awarded to the programs, about $1.36 million has been allocated to the veterans program and about $1.8 million to the general program.
“The service our students value most is academic counseling, because it gives them personalized support in reaching their goals,” said Jessica Turney-Lúa, director of both programs. “In addition to counseling and other academic support services, we also provide a supplemental grant and opportunities to travel locally and beyond the Central Valley, where students can explore, connect and build community together.”
“We want all of our students to feel an all-encompassing sense of support and community while they are in our programs.”
For some students, the program builds their confidence and offers them opportunities to expand their horizons throughout their academic journey. For Alejo Landeros, this expansion includes joining student clubs, connecting with other support programs on campus and studying abroad.
“I’ve had the opportunity to study abroad in both Italy and South Korea. I won’t deny that studying abroad was tough on my wallet. But the knowledge, life experience, humility and personal growth I gained made it more than worth it. It wasn’t just about academics, it was about becoming a more well-rounded, globally aware, and adaptable person,” Landeros said.
“What’s especially surprising is how few young men choose to study abroad. I believe more [young men] should. It gives us perspective, helps us grow emotionally, and shows us that our problems aren’t as unique as we think. Everyone is dealing with something. Studying abroad gives us not only insight into other cultures but also into ourselves.”
The TRIO Student Support Services programs were authorized nationwide by the Higher Education Act to help college students who face financial barriers, obstacles because of disabilities or have more difficulties navigating higher education because their parents do not have college degrees.
Ruiz said, “I am on track to be the first in my family to graduate from college. As the second oldest, I carry a deep sense of responsibility and duty to set an example for my younger siblings and prove that earning a degree is possible. The milestone of graduating isn’t just mine but a shared celebration and victory for my family and a gateway into economic mobility.”
To learn more about TRIO Student Support Services at Fresno State, visit https://studentaffairs.fresnostate.edu/studentsupport/index.html.
