My
journey with TRiO began in 2001 when I decided, at the age of 41, to attend
college. I was not sure if I would be
able to be successful in college because I had dropped out of high-school in my
junior year. The first few semesters
were a struggle for me and I had difficulty with mathematics and English. TRiO
set me up with an English tutor, and with the help of my English tutor, I
received my first A in school, ever! After
realizing that I could succeed in college, I was hooked. The following semester
I enrolled as a full-time student and started working as a math tutor for TRiO
in order to give back to others what was given to me. In May of 2004, I
graduated with my Associates of Arts degree at Windward Community College. The
staff at TRiO and faculty at WCC encouraged me to pursue a BA degree. With the continued support of TRiO and WCC, I
graduated with a BA degree in Psychology at the University of Hawaii, West Oahu
in May of 2007. Just thinking back to my graduation gives me chicken-skin. When
I think back to all the support I have received, I feel truly grateful for the
many blessings in my life. To my surprise my mother and sister, whom at the
time I hadn’t seen in ten years, attended my graduation. In addition to my
mother and sister, two of my English instructors from WCC also attended my
graduation. Knowing that those people
were there to see me walk at my graduation brought tears to my eyes and it was
truly one of those times that could be labeled as a “Kodak moment.”
From
May 2007 to December 2012, I worked part-time and then full-time as the TRiO
Student Services Tutor Coordinator, and I also volunteered as a math tutor. I
especially enjoyed volunteering as a math tutor because I could connect to the
non-traditional students, as well as serve as a testimony to them that they too
can pass their math requirements. It felt good to show students that they could
understand and grasp complex mathematical concepts. As a Tutor Coordinator, my
job was to set students up with a tutor that would help them understand their
work material better. This job made it possible for me to not only get to know
the TRiO participants and the tutors too. I got to see the student’s grades
improve and watch their confidence grow. I took pride knowing that TRiO had
assisted students to obtain their educational goals.
Throughout
my years at WCC’s TRiO, I have witnessed the TRiO facility flourish from a minor
hole-in-the-wall place with only a handful of tutors to an impressive computer
lab, 50 strong tutors, and a facility that services over 250 students per
semester. TRiO plays such an integral part in the academic lives of the
students at WCC. TRiO participants utilize the facility to study, use the
computer, access the internet, seek academic counseling, receive tutoring, eat
a free meal, or just gather and talk-story. TRiO is the heart of Windward
Community College. It is my ohana, and it serves as an ohana to many others who
walk through their doors.
Even though I have moved on and taken a position
at the Math Center at WCC, my heart and soul will always be with TRiO. TRiO for
life!!!
—Russell Uyehara
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