The TRIO New Mexico annual conference was hosted at the San Juan College campus for the first time during a three-day event, bringing together students, educators and advocates for student success.
The conference also served as a space for advocacy as the U.S. Department of Education recently released its fiscal year 2027 budget summary, which zeroed out funding for federal TRIO programs.
“This attack on TRIO is very real and it can have drastic implications for our communities and our students that are being served,” said Vanessa Ramirez, director of membership services with the Council for Opportunity in Education.
Ramirez provided an update from the council to conference attendees April 15, outlining the DOE proposal that eliminates funding for programs including TRIO, GEAR UP and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.
The proposal also includes a 90% cut to federal work-study, according to Ramirez.
“My main message is, let’s not take for granted the groundwork that’s been laid for us, and let’s continue to build those relationships and push forward the message that COE is asking us to push forward to protect our TRIO programs, to protect our communities and to protect the futures of our students,” Ramirez said.
Kimberly Jones, COE president, said TRIO serves about 817,000 students nationwide. If enacted, the proposed budget would end TRIO programs at the conclusion of the 2026-27 program year.
According to Jones, this marks the second attempt by the Trump administration to eliminate TRIO funding.
In May 2025, the COE released a statement condemning a proposal to eliminate the TRIO program.
“The Trump Administration’s budget proposal claims that ‘access to college is not the obstacle it was for students of limited means.’ However, data from the U.S. Census Bureau demonstrate that students from the poorest families earn college degrees at rates far below students from the highest income families,” the COE said. “As recently as 2023, students from the highest income quartile earned college degrees at a rate more than four times that of students from the lowest income quartile (62% vs. 15%).”
In a statement from Sen. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the budget request holds no authority because Congress ultimately determines federal spending.
According to Collins, the administration proposes a significant increase in defense funding and recognizes the annual appropriations process as the mechanism for allocating funds.
“Attempts to eliminate TRIO amounts to a declaration that access to higher education no longer matters,” Jones said. “This proposal turns its back on low-income students – ranging from middle-schoolers to working parents – who are fighting to overcome barriers and build better futures for themselves and their families.”
Deb Haaland, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, made an appearance at the conference to voice her support of TRIO.
“In order to build bright futures, we need to provide our students and educators with the support they need,” Haaland said. “That means protecting programs like TRIO. Students should be focused on completing their coursework and passing their exams, but recent threats by the Trump Administration are causing students to worry about cuts to the programs they rely on to get their education.”
Haaland said she would oppose federal cuts such as the DOE proposal and would work to expand equitable educational opportunities across the state.
“I’ll work to make New Mexico a place where low-income and first-generation college students and students with disabilities don’t just get by, but thrive, no matter if they decide to join the workforce in a high-paid trade or skilled profession, or go on to college and get their degrees,” she said.
At San Juan College, nearly 1,200 students are enrolled in TRIO programs, according to Yolanda Benally, dean of students.
Benally said the college plans to pursue additional grants while continuing to support students.
Boomer Appleman, vice president of student services, said the college consistently advocates for all students, especially those in federally funded programs, by staying in close contact with federal partners to demonstrate the programs’ value and ensure responsible use of funds.
“Regardless of where someone may be on the spectrum on their views, we just want to engage with them and have a conversation,” he said.
Rick Martinez, president of TRIO New Mexico, served in the Air Force and graduated with honors from San Juan College after receiving support from the TRIO program.
“As TRIO professionals, we’re social change agents – through our academic advising, our tutoring and our transfer services and career services, we really help students find their potential and reach that potential,” he said. “They start out frequently as first generation students are not knowing which way to turn and needing that additional support, and so TRIO really fills that gap.”
Across New Mexico, TRIO serves fewer than 10,000 students, Martinez said, with demand for federal support programs remaining constant.
Angelia Carlos, a business administration major at San Juan College, said TRIO supported her through academic advising and encouragement throughout her college career.
“They at times, have become my biggest cheerleaders,” she said “I’ve also become an honors student too, through the program – that’s something I didn’t even think would be possible. I’m thankful for the program and their mantra, TRIO works. TRIO truly does work. I truly stand on that.”