LI Alums Represent VT at the National Policy Seminar

On March 18th–20th, four Lyndon Institute and Vermont State University Lyndon Upward Bound alumni attended the 44th annual Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C. The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) hosts this annual event to bring advocates for low-income, first-generation students served by TRIO programs to Capitol Hill.

TRIO programs, established by Congress, support modest-income and first-generation college-bound Americans in achieving success in postsecondary education. Funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, these programs ensure equal educational opportunities for all Americans, regardless of race, ethnic background, or economic circumstance.

This year, it was crucial to gather as many TRIO professionals as possible in the nation’s capital to defend these programs against potential education funding cuts. More than 1,000 advocates convened on Capitol Hill to fight for TRIO and GEAR UP programs, urging Congress to protect funding for FY 2025 and FY 2026 and to provide timely notifications of pending TRIO grants. Vermont TRIO staff and alumni met with education aides from the offices of Senator Peter Welch, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Congresswoman Becca Balint. Alumni shared passionate testimonies about how Vermont’s TRIO programs impacted their college journeys and completion rates.

Lyndon Institute Upward Bound Director Lindsay Carpenter, veterinarian Melissa Helstein, and physical therapist Jillian Tanych Taho—all Lyndon Institute graduates and VTSU Lyndon Upward Bound alumni—attended the seminar. Additionally, Gemma Stowell, a 2024 Lyndon Institute graduate, Upward Bound member, and current Dartmouth College student interning in Congresswoman Balint’s office, advocated for continued funding of TRIO programs.

Lindsay Carpenter is a product of these federal programs, having participated in Upward Bound and Talent Search from 2000 to 2002 as a Lyndon Institute student. Now the Director of Lyndon Institute’s Upward Bound program, she continues to support the program’s mission: increasing high school graduation rates, improving college enrollment, and fostering college completion. The 12-month program assists students with course selection, study skills, SAT preparation, college and career exploration, and financial aid applications. Students also tour colleges, engage in community service, and attend leadership conferences.

Melissa Helstein, a VTSU Lyndon Upward Bound alumna, spoke passionately about overcoming challenges as a moderate-income, first-generation student in rural Vermont. As a high school student, she commuted nearly 40 minutes from her home in Lower Waterford to attend Lyndon Institute. Despite personal hardships, including taking time off after her mother’s passing, she persevered, graduating from the University of Vermont in 2018 with a degree in Animal Science and a 3.58 GPA. She later entered the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine.

Jillian Tanych Taho, another dual alumna of Lyndon Institute and VTSU Upward Bound, shared how the program shaped her academic and professional success. Unsure if college was within reach, she ultimately graduated from UVM, completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in four years, and began her career immediately. She remains dedicated to her community and continues striving for excellence in her field, demonstrating resilience, gratitude, and commitment to education.

Gemma Stowell, a 2023 Lyndon Institute graduate and Upward Bound member, is currently a sophomore at Dartmouth College. She has taken advantage of numerous opportunities, spending last summer in Rome and participating in Dartmouth’s government domestic study program while interning in Congresswoman Balint’s office. As a high school student, Gemma dedicated over 250 volunteer hours to organizations such as the Lyndonville Improvement Society, HOPE, and Catamount Arts, all while working part-time. She was selected to represent Vermont at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library Leadership Conference, where she engaged with students from across New England. She continues to thrive in college, using her skills and voice to advocate for those in need.

While the group was in Washington, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing the Secretary of Education to explore the closure of the Department of Education. In response, COE President Kim Jones issued a statement emphasizing key points:

TRIO programs ensure college access and success for low-income students, first-generation students, and students with disabilities nationwide. Their demonstrated effectiveness has garnered durable bipartisan support in Congress, thanks to dedicated advocates like those at the Policy Seminar.

Upward Bound at VTSU – Lyndon is a college preparatory program funded through the United States Department of Education committed to providing modest income, First Generation College bound students the academic background, college preparatory experiences, and support needed to succeed in college immediately after high school. The program works with 75 students in 9 Northeast Kingdom high schools, who are dedicated to achieving their post-secondary dreams. Upward Bound students receive support services throughout the school year and spend six weeks of their summer on the campus of VTSU – Lyndon. For more information, please contact Rick Williams in the Upward Bound Office at 626-5000.