The 7th annual Northwest Ohio National TRIO Day event features the TRIO programs at Owens Community College, Bowling Green State University, the University of Toledo, Lourdes University and Northwest State Community College. All 11 TRIO programs in Northwest Ohio will be in attendance.
Saturday, March 1, 2025
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Owens Community College, College Hall 100
Agenda
9-9:25 a.m. | Arrivals and Registration
9:30-10:20 a.m. | Welcome, Guest Acknowledgements, Keynote Speaker
10:25 a.m.-1:10 p.m. | Concurrent Workshops/Lunch
1:15-2 p.m. | Closing Speaker
Questions and concerns can be emailed to brandon_gaddy@owens.edu.
Keynote Speaker
Vince DiPofi, PE
SSOE Group | Chief Executive Officer
Vince joined SSOE in 2000 and has more than 40 years of professional experience. He has risen through the ranks at the firm as a Business Leader, Corporate Director of Business Development, and Chief Strategy Officer, prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer. Throughout the years, he has been instrumental in developing numerous new accounts for SSOE and starting up the company’s operations in Mexico. Today, he has the company focused on a technology-driven strategic plan that is positioning SSOE as one of the fastest-growing firms in the country and a leading edge thought leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and design automation.
Vince holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toledo and is a licensed professional engineer in Ohio and Michigan. A 1991 Toledo Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Young Engineer of the Year, a 2022 Engineer of the Year, and was the recipient of their Distinguished Alumni Award in 2019 for the University of Toledo, College of Engineering. Last year, Vince was named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award winner.
Vince is currently Chair of the Board for ConnecToledo, board director for the United Way of Greater Toledo and past Chair for the American Heart Association, NW Ohio. Two years ago, Vince established the Center for Student Success, Opportunity, and Engagement for the University of Toledo’s College of Engineering. Along with SSOE, he has personally provided funding for scholarships and counseling for first generation college students who come from underserved communities.
About TRIO Programs
TRIO programs are federally funded programs through the U.S. Department of Education and are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Northwest Ohio hosts 11 TRIO programs at five local institutions of higher education. These programs are the catalyst for educational post-secondary attainment for first-generation and low-income individuals in the area.
On February 24, 1986, a congressional resolution (H. Con. Res. 278) declared that Saturday, February 28, 1986, should be designated as “National TRIO Day” to commemorate the annual achievements of the Federal TRIO programs in communities across the country.
Every year since then, our community has reserved the fourth Saturday in February as National TRIO Day — an opportunity to focus the nation’s “attention on the needs of disadvantaged young people and adults aspiring to improve their lives if they are to become contributing citizens of the country, and to the talent which will be wasted if that investment is not made.”