Student sitting at a desk smiling.

TRIO Student Support Services

First-Generation College Celebration

The annual National First-Generation College Celebration is November 8. Celebrate with us the anniversary the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. The HEA emerged out of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty and was intended to help level a playing field that for too long had been weighed against Americans from minority and low-income backgrounds. Additionally, HEA ushered in programs, particularly the Federal TRIO programs, necessary for postsecondary access, retention, and completion for low-income, potential first-generation college graduates.

More than 5 million students have graduated from college with the special assistance of TRIO programs!

The TRIO program provides a wide range of individual services and opportunities including:

Want to learn more about TRIO?
This August we are hosting an Open House! This is a great opportunity to meet TRIO staff, current students, and learn more about our program. Visit our Open House page for dates and more information. 

Ready to Apply? 

Enrolled students who are interested and meet the qualifications for TRIO should complete an online application. If you're still unsure whether you qualify for TRIO, please see our "Who is eligible to participate" question in our FAQs.

TRIO Online Application

Connect with Us

Sheila McCants, Director TRIO
Student Support Services 

Ybor City Campus
Faculty Building, Room 116B
813.253.7629
smccants4@hccfl.edu
Doreen Shillingford, Academic Coach
Ybor City Campus
Faculty Building, Room 116
813.259.6092
dshillingford2@hccfl.edu
Tammie Padilla, Senior Staff Assistant 
Ybor City Campus
Faculty Building, Room 116
813.253.7660
tpadilla3@hccfl.edu
Teresa Rowe, Academic Coach
Dale Mabry Campus
Social Science Building, Rooms 242–239
813.253.7444
trowe@hccfl.edu
Jason Overstreet, Math and Science Specialist
Ybor City Campus
Faculty Building, Room 116
813.253.7632
joverstreet@hccfl.edu
Benita Snyder, Academic Coach 
Ybor City Campus
Faculty Building, Room 116 A
813.253.7631
bsnyder@hccfl.edu