About WAEOPP

The Association addresses the needs and interests of its constituents, including:

• Current and prospective students of TRIO programs

• Alumni of TRIO programs

• The staff of TRIO programs

• Administrators, faculty, and staff of higher educational institutions

• Individuals in public and private agencies and organizations that collaborate with or support the mission of the association.

Provides opportunities to its student participants, including scholarships and conferences, to lessen the achievement gap in higher education.

Educates and advocates with institutional administration, state leaders, and national leaders on the importance of effective TRIO programming as it relates to increasing the number of disadvantaged students that complete higher education degrees.

Promotes research studies, education, conferences, and other activities supporting the association's mission.

In addition, WAEOPP values ethical efforts to advocate for disadvantaged students’ rights to pursue higher education. The Association is committed to the belief that every person should be afforded the opportunity to prepare for, attend, and graduate from college.  

WAEOPP History

WAEOPP began with Dr. Arnold Mitchem as the first WAEOPP President from 1972-1974. At that time, it was a chapter of the Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP), which later became the Educational Opportunity Association (EOA). WAEOPP has since provided a wide array of services to low-income and first-generation students statewide, specifically serving TRIO and educational opportunity programs at public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities, and educational agencies across Wisconsin.

The Council for Opportunity in Education is the national association supporting TRIO programs across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Islands (COE). WAEOPP is a Chapter within the ten-state regional organization known as the Educational Opportunity Association (EOA)