Students and alumni who have participated in the federally funded TRIO programs at UNLV will gather Feb. 20 to celebrate the success of the programs and to honor program director William Sullivan for his years of community service.

The event is scheduled to coincide with National TRIO Day. The TRIO programs in place at UNLV are Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Student Support Services -- all of which are aimed at helping high school and college students from low-income families get to college and succeed once they are there.

Sullivan, UNLV's director of academic advancement, has overseen the programs at UNLV for more than 20 years.

The event is set for 4-6 p.m. in the ballroom of UNLV's Moyer Student Union. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP to 895-4777 no later than Feb. 17.

Over the years, more than 5,000 students have participated in the TRIO programs at UNLV. TRIO services include assistance in choosing a college; tutoring; personal and financial counseling; career counseling; assistance in applying to college; workplace and college visits; special instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, and study skills; assistance in applying for financial aid; academic assistance in high school; and assistance in re-entering high school, when necessary.

"If it were not for the guidance and skills I received from UNLV's TRIO programs, I would not be a second-year, well-prepared college student," said Carrie Shorty, a former TRIO participant who now attends Mesa State College in Colorado. "TRIO has helped me and my family a great deal."

Nationally, more than 1,200 colleges, universities, and community agencies host approximately 2,000 TRIO programs serving 780,000 young people and adults. Of the total TRIO students, 39 percent are white, 36 percent are African American, 16 percent are Hispanic, 5 percent are Native American, and 4 percent are Asian American. Approximately 16,000 TRIO students are disabled.

UNLV associate director of academic advancement Tracy B. Cotton, who himself is a graduate of TRIO programs, said of the event planned for Feb. 20, "This event is being held because our students want more people to know about the services of TRIO and its success. We also want people to know that this federally funded program works and should be expanded to serve more Americans from low-income families who are interested in higher education."

For additional information about the event, contact Cotton at 895-4777.