On April 30, TRIO hosted the 21st Annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony for the Student Support Services and Veterans Upward Bound programs. The ceremony is a time to celebrate the “achievements, dedication and hard work of our incredible students and participants,” says Patricia Magyar, director of TRIO.
TRIO’s impact at Central Carolina helps more than 300 students each year and Central Carolina’s Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program is the only one in South Carolina and only one of 62 across the country.
Both programs help participants build the knowledge and skills needed for success while encouraging community involvement, meaningful connections and a strong sense of civic responsibility.
Key activities in the 2025–2026 academic year included on-campus workshops, educational trips, community service initiatives and an Open House at the Main Campus. Educational trips included visits to Washington, D.C.; Orlando, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; and Charleston, South Carolina.
Community service initiatives involved partnering with USC Sumter and Morris College students to clean up a vacant lot that will house a future art gallery in Sumter. An Open House at the Main Campus invited Central Carolina faculty, staff and community members to learn about TRIO’s programs and goals.
Students also participated in college visits to Howard University, Full Sail University, the College of Charleston, Clemson University, Anderson University and Lander University to explore transfer opportunities and career paths.
TRIO also supports Leadership Professional Development (LPD), a microprogram within Student Support Services focusing on professional growth by learning skills in communication, teamwork and critical thinking.
Student Support Services awarded students for the 2025-2026 Academic Year in the following categories: New Participants Award, SSS TRIO Grant Awardees, CCTC Foundation Scholarship Recipients, President’s List, Dean’s List, LPD Members, TRIO SSS Graduates, TRIO Engagement Award, University Transfer Scholars, Impact Awards, TRIO Emerging Leaders Award, TRIO Horizon Award, TRIO Leadership & Service Award and the TRIO Action Award.
The Veterans Upward Bound program awarded participants in the following: New Participant Acknowledgement Award, VUB Boots to Books Award, VUB Ambassador Award, The Iron Will Award, VUB Next Mission College Award, VUB Trailblazer Award and the Spirit of TRIO Award.
The ceremony, held on the Main Campus in Sumter, is an opportunity to acknowledge students and participants of these programs and to show them the honor they have worked for and deserve. TRIO is a program designed to ensure every student and participant has the support and opportunity to succeed. For more information about TRIO Student Support Services or the Veterans Upward Bound program visit: https://www.cctech.edu/service-and-support/.