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$280,000 Federal Grant Increases TRIO Program Capacity at Owens

TRIO EOC assistant director Alissa Hornbeak works with a student in their office. The EOC received a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education recently.

A new five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education will allow the TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) at Owens Community College to serve 1,000 individuals annually, up from 850 during the 2021-26 cycle. The Educational Opportunity Centers Grant is valued at $280,000 annually.

Since being first funded five years ago, the EOC has helped thousands of individuals take steps toward post-secondary education. According to Brandon Gaddy, director of the TRIO programs housed at Owens, the new funding cycle allows the program to expand its reach and connect more individuals with workforce development training for in-demand careers.

“These funds are vital to TRIO EOC’s ability to serve northwest Ohio communities and families,” Gaddy said. “They support the hiring and training of qualified, passionate professionals dedicated to helping individuals reach their educational and career goals. Through personalized workshops, advising and coaching, we strive to support individuals at every step of their journey.”

Gaddy added that this new grant cycle will allow the EOC program to not only increase its coverage and ability to help individuals but expand to help individuals connect with workforce development training for in-demand careers that offer quicker paths to employment.

While the TRIO programs are located at Owens, the program has placed individuals at a wide variety of accredited institutions in the United States, such as Owens, University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Eastern Michigan University, Purdue University, University of Findlay, Lansing Community College, Monroe County Community College and Rhodes State College.

Gaddy said the program supports the enrollment process by helping individuals with information on post-secondary education and workforce opportunities, pre-admission counseling, FAFSA education and completion, guidance on secondary school reentry or GED program enrollment, career and skills development, financial and economic literacy, and assistance with college admissions applications, testing and financial aid.

The numbers bear out the impact. Since 2021, the EOC has served nearly 2,500 individuals, including more than 350 who required assistance with FAFSA completion. During the 2024-25 academic calendar, more than 400 EOC participants enrolled or re-enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year college or university.

“This is a significant achievement given the considerable challenges present throughout this competition cycle,” Gaddy said. “Receiving this funding again reflects exactly the kind of work Owens is committed to: creating pathways to opportunity for the people of northwest Ohio.”

Participants in the EOC programs are required to be U.S. citizens age 19 or older who are potential first-generation college students or income eligible. More information on the TRIO programs, including applications, can be found at owens.edu.