Southeastern’s TRIO Talent Search receives continued grant funding, restructures service area

DURANT, Okla. - Southeastern Oklahoma State University's TRIO Talent Search program has received continued federal grant funding, allowing the program to maintain its mission of helping students prepare for and pursue postsecondary education opportunities across southeastern Oklahoma.

The renewed funding ensures that TRIO Talent Search will continue providing college access services, academic support, career exploration, financial aid guidance, and postsecondary planning assistance to students throughout its designated service area. The program is designed to support middle school and high school students, particularly those who are first-generation and from income-eligible households.

As part of the new grant cycle, the program will restructure its services to students across five counties in southeastern Oklahoma. The updated service area includes Atoka, Bryan, Choctaw, Johnston, and Marshall counties.

Chance Owen, program director, noted that the grant will reflect a significant change for the region served by Talent Search. Under the new funding cycle, the program's service area has shifted away from McCurtain County schools, allowing Talent Search to expand its reach to additional students and communities seeking college and career readiness support. This change was driven by increased participant enrollment requirements and rising transportation costs, which made it necessary to reconfigure the program's service area to better align with grant expectations and available resources.

"We are excited to continue providing opportunities and resources that help students achieve their educational goals," said Owen. "This funding allows us to strengthen our impact while expanding services to new schools and communities within our region."

The TRIO Talent Search program offers a variety of free services, including college campus visits, career assessments, academic advising, financial literacy education, ACT and SAT preparation, and assistance with college admissions and financial aid applications. These services are designed to help students overcome barriers to higher education and successfully transition from secondary education to college or career training programs.

The continued funding reflects the ongoing importance of TRIO programs in supporting educational attainment and increasing access to higher education for students throughout rural Oklahoma. By working closely with local schools, families, and community partners, Southeastern's Talent Search program aims to empower students with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to pursue their academic and career aspirations.

With the renewed grant and updated service area, Southeastern Oklahoma State University's TRIO Talent Search program remains committed to expanding educational opportunities and helping students across Atoka, Bryan, Choctaw, Johnston, and Marshall counties achieve success beyond high school.

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