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Alison Marshall is a senior who is majoring in English with a Writing Specialization and a minor in American Indian and Indigenous Studies. Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in Student Affairs. Her academic journey has been enriched by involvement in programs that have encouraged personal growth, leadership and community.

Two programs have played a major role in her college experience: New Student Orientation and TRIO. Serving as an Orientation leader offered opportunities for leadership and self‑development, this was “a job I truly loved,” she shared. TRIO became a place of belonging and support. She first joined TRIO in Spring 2023, and the more involved she became, the more she appreciated the community. She describes TRIO as a space where “you can fully be yourself,” whether you need to study, vent, or simply enjoy time with others. Being active on campus also encouraged her to meet new people and build connections that have shaped her SDSU journey.

Among TRIO’s many services, one‑on‑one tutoring and advising have been especially impactful. These resources helped her stay grounded academically while also offering guidance through personal and educational challenges. One moment that stands out is when she faced a class assignment requiring them to perform magic tricks for strangers in the Union, an intimidating task for someone who has always feared public speaking. After sharing her anxieties with TRIO staff, the entire office took a “field trip” to the University Student Union so she would have familiar faces in the crowd. That gesture turned a stressful assignment into a supportive, confidence‑building experience.

Reflecting on her time in TRIO, she shares “TRIO is very invigorating,” a phrase that captures both the energy and encouragement she found there. Her advice to new or prospective TRIO students is simple but powerful: “You get out of it what you put into it.” She believes this mindset applies not only to TRIO, but to college life in many aspects.