Destined to Succeed: College Celebrates TRIO Scholars and 2025 Graduates
Families, mentors, and alumni gathered Saturday, May 17, as Moreno Valley College celebrated 549 TRIO students for their academic achievements.
Vice President of Student Services Roosevelt Charles opened the ceremony by encouraging the middle and high school scholars to “think of yourself as being a part of our community.” His words connected their achievements to MVC’s identity as “the community’s college,” showing that each scholar’s success is a win for everyone.
Morning and afternoon programs in the Student Academic Services building honored participants from four federal college‑access initiatives as well as the TRIO Class of 2025 graduates:
- ACES Student Support Services: 50 students
- Upward Bound Math & Science: 22 students
- Educational Talent Search (Vista del Lago & Valley View combined): 202 students
- Upward Bound: 32 students
- Middle School Scholars: 62
In addition, 16 scholars were recognized for completing the prestigious MediGOAL Medical Leadership Program, a partnership with the USC Keck School of Medicine, Riverside University Health System, Loma Linda University, and Cedars‑Sinai.
Each honoree has a GPA of 3.0 or above, and several shared that they are the first in their families on track to graduate from high school, let alone attend college. Their academic achievement reflects the discipline and support helping them rewrite their family stories.
“When our students recite, ‘I can and will graduate from college,’ it is not wishful thinking,” said Micki Grayson, director of TRIO programs. “It is a promise they keep to themselves and to the community that has walked with them.”
The pledge, written by Grayson in 2014, opens with “I am destined to succeed,” a mantra that has carried students through late-night study sessions, part-time jobs, sibling care, and language brokering for parents. TRIO participant Amanda Settle, a 4.0+ Dean’s List awardee and aspiring business entrepreneurship student, hopes to attend Spelman College after high school. She shared, “TRIO gave me access to college opportunities and connected me with a team that truly cares about my success.”
TRIO programs were established under the Higher Education Act of 1965 and now serve more than 800,000 first-generation and low-income students nationwide. Moreno Valley College launched its first grant in 2011. Each program offers tutoring, advising, financial aid guidance, and more to help students achieve academic excellence.
Learn more or explore TRIO partnerships at mvc.edu/trio.