Bruce Wilson began his career serving his country in the United States Navy. While on active duty, Bruce was a Personnel Specialist (Fleet Marine Force). After serving 20 years and retiring in 2007 from the U.S. Navy, Bruce settled in at Western Oklahoma State College. Bruce began as a Testing Specialist. On a side note, Bruce Wilson was the person who set me up for admission testing when I decided to return to school. His calm and encouraging demeanor made the whole process so much better.
Bruce holds an Education Specialist degree (Ed. S.) focused on Educational Leadership from Liberty University. He is currently a Doctoral Student with Liberty University. Bruce has served in many areas at Western and last June, he settled into his favorite position, Director of TRIO Programs.
TRIO Programs are Federal outreach and student services programs funded by the Department of Education. The programs are designed to identify and provide services for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. "TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs. TRIO also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRIO projects."¹
After the passage of the Higher Education Act in 1966, the first TRIO Program was started at Oklahoma Baptist University by Walter O. Mason, an Oklahoma native. Nationwide there are 877,000 students being served by TRIO. In total, the program receives 1.2 billion dollars each year. This includes Guam, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa. TRIO Oklahoma has 99 programs serving 28,372 students and receives 33 million dollars per year.
Upward Bound and WINDS are the two programs at Western that fall under TRIO. Each program staffs an assistant director and an academic coach. There are three tutors and Upward Bound's Summer Academy has 20 staff members.
Upward Bound is designed to help students complete high school and enroll in higher education. Students from Altus, Hollis, Olustee, Snyder, and Tipton are all served by this program. Upward Bound's Summer Academy is a six-week program that emulates college life. 40-60 students will live on campus to experience dorm life. The students will receive math, English, science, and civics courses, as well as advising, tutoring, assistance in choosing a career path, and applying for scholarships. At the completion of the program, the top 20 students are invited to take an out-of-state trip. Bruce says he feels it is important to let students see for themselves the expense of some four-year institutions and the financial benefit of attending Western or the Technical Center right here at home.
WINDS provides currently enrolled students academic tutoring, assistance in postsecondary course selection, and resources on scholarships. WINDS also works with students in completing financial aid applications and offers assistance to students who are applying for admission to a four-year program. WINDS also offers mentoring and individualized counseling on career options. The students are offered field trips throughout the program to local cultural events and four-year institutions. WINDS students also have a lounge and computer lab designated for their use to work and study.
Bruce tells us that the TRIO program has been very successful. Out of 180 students, they saw a 30% graduation rate from high school. Of those 30%, 27% went on to graduate and transfer to a higher education institution. Again, these are low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities who, if not given this opportunity, may have not realized their potential.
¹
Western Oklahoma State College. (n.d.). Winds - western Oklahoma State College: Altus, OK. Western Oklahoma State College TRIO. https://www.wosc.edu/index.php?page=winds
Altus Rotary Club Newsletter
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