TCU TRiO Achievers event hosts scholars, journalists, and NFL great

Fort Worth, TX

8/6/2009

By: Whitney Vincent, TCU Schieffer School of Journalism

Five former TCU TRiO participants attribute their success to the educational foundation provided by the TCU’s Office of Federal TRiO Programs. They were recognized at the annual TRiO Achievers’ Luncheon featuring keynote speaker Larry Brown, a nine-year NFL veteran and TCU alumnus.

TRiO Programs such as Upward Bound (UB), Student Support Services (SSS), and the Ronald E. McNair Program, assist students from socioeconomically challenged families, those who are first generation, individuals with disabilities, and those typically underrepresented in their educational field of study, attend and complete programs of postsecondary education. Beginning with Upward Bound in 1969, TCU TRiO Programs has aided thousands of students in the program to achieve their educational goals and graduate into the world to live out the mission statement of the university.

"The annual TRiO Achievers’ Luncheon recognizes program participants for their hard work and commitment to higher education,” said J. Steven Hodnett, Director of TCU TRiO Programs. “Also, it is an avenue for TCU faculty and staff to learn more about the TCU TRiO Programs that have been such an important part of our campus for 40 years."

Rolando Guerrero introduced the five alumni for 2008-2009 in addition to recognizing 43 other TRiO achievers. Alumni awardees included Dr. Billie Hara, Tomeika L. Kindred, Alvaro “Al” Saucedo, Andrew Hayes-Stoker and Christopher Villagran.

Keynote speaker, Larry Brown, is the founder of the Sports American Foundation a non-profit organization specializing in granting scholarships to athletic youths who excel scholastically. Brown is a NFL veteran playing for both the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders. He is the only person in history to be named most valuable player in a collegiate league as well as MVP in the Super Bowl.

He graduated from TCU with a criminal justice degree and has made numerous television appearances.

Dr. Billie Hara is a professional writing consultant for TCU and a McNair Program alumna. Hara lived in seven states and two countries before she was 25 years old. She held many jobs that ultimately led her back to college at the age of 30.

“During this time, I became a McNair Scholar, and to this day I credit this program with the support I needed—as a first generation college student—to succeed in an undergraduate degree program. The McNair Program also allowed me to think that graduate school was a viable option for my life.” Hara said. Hara recently joined the faculty at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi as an English assistant professor.

Tomeika L. Kindred is the manager of corridor operations for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and an Upward Bound alumna. “While attending high school, I completed four years at TCU’s Upward Bound Program,” Kindred said. “Following (high school) graduation, I attended summer school at Tarrant County College.”

Kindred earned her undergraduate degree in sociology from Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and her masters in human relations and business through distance learning from Amber University. She has been working for BNSF in Fort Worth since 2004.

Alvaro “Al” Saucedo is the staff auditor for Darling International, Inc. and a Student Support Services alumnus. Saucedo grew up in a single parent household with a migrant worker mother. In 1985 she took a job at TCU and Saucedo soon enrolled. Saucedo struggled with college at first but soon joined Student Support Services (SSS) on advice from program director Margot Garza.

“SSS introduced me to other students and program alumni, who experienced similar upbringing and faced similar struggles,” Saucedo said. “Their experiences along with the support of SSS gave me the confidence I needed to fulfill my dream of a college education and allowed me to never again think of myself as an ‘at risk’ student.”

Saucedo earned a bachelor’s in business administration from TCU and is now employed by one of the largest rendering/recycling companies in the nation.

Andrew Hayes-Stoker is an assistant offensive coach for the NFL’s Chicago Bears. He is a SSS and McNair Program alumnus. As an undergraduate, Hayes-Stoker was also approached by Garza to enter the Student Support Services program at TCU. Through the McNair program, Hayes-Stoker was able to forge a path into his career.

“Ms. Yolanda Hughes, McNair Program Director, was patient with me with regards to my research because I was such a procrastinator but it helped me find my passion,” Hayes-Stoker said. “The research I did for McNair is what got me in the career field that I am in today. My research addressed the few number of minority athletic directors in college football and that helped me continue staying motivated.” Hayes-Stoker has worked at TCU as an admissions counselor and is working toward accreditation from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Christopher Villagran is an educational technology campus specialist for Fort Worth Independent School District and an Upward Bound alumnus. By participating in Upward Bound at TCU he was able to attain a scholarship to a community college and later transferred to the University of Dallas. Villagran completed his four-year degree in three calendar years, despite concerns from faculty.

“My teachers and counselors did not recognize my talents, but Upward Bound did and it helped facilitate the passion I have for being an educator.” Villagran said. Villagran also earned a MBA, concentrating on data analysis and statistics.

For more information on TCU’s TRIO Programs, visit www.trio.tcu.edu.