Heartland Community College names Assistant Director of TRIO Student Support Services

Heartland Community College has filled a position to support college students with traditionally disadvantaged backgrounds.

Téa Wheat has been named Assistant Director of TRIO Student Support Services.

In her new position, Wheat manages the programming and services of Project RISE, the College’s TRIO program, including academic, personal, career, and transfer counseling in support of program goals of student retention, graduation, and transfer.

 Project RISE is an essential support service, providing opportunities for a diverse target population of students who are low-income, first-generation, and/or have a disability. 

Wheat comes to Heartland Community College from Eastern Illinois University (EIU), where she worked in the Student Life Office. She holds a Master of Science degree from EIU and a Bachelor of Arts from Western Illinois University.

TRIO Student Support Services receives federal funding from the Department of Education.

About TRIO programs

TRIO is not an acronym; it refers to a number (originally three, now eight) of U.S. federal programs to increase access to higher education for economically disadvantaged students. Federal TRIO Programs include Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, Veterans' Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers, the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, and Training Grants.