Featured | NewsJuly 22, 2025

TRIO Programs Funding Renewed, Jordan Named TRIO STEM Director

Written By: Ian Silvester

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith’s two TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) programs received more than $2.7 million in renewed grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education. 

TRIO SSS and TRIO STEM will each receive $1,361,820 of grant funds for the 2025-2030 cycle. 

Lacey Ruminer, TRIO SSS director, was notified of the renewals on July 3 by the U.S. Department of Education. The grants will begin Sept. 1, 2025. It is the fourth 5-year grant cycle for TRIO SSS and the second for TRIO STEM. 

DeJon Jordan was named the new director of the TRIO STEM program July 8.  Jordan previously served as assistant director and has been employed by UAFS since 2021. 

“I’m truly honored and energized by the chance to cultivate and direct a team of passionate professionals dedicated to our TRIO STEM students,” Jordan said of the promotion. “With this new grant cycle beginning, I’m eager to collaborate and define the next era of TRIO STEM at UAFS. My hope is to continue to help shape our students’ success while also expanding access and creating better opportunities for their educational exploration.” 

The grant renewals are substantial for UAFS TRIO programs. Funding will continue for the next five years, providing a variety of essential and free support services for nearly 300 students a year from low-income families, first-generation college students, or those with disabilities.  

Students in both programs have individualized access to tutoring, extra academic advising, mentorship, workshops, financial literacy coaching, graduate school and career preparation, cultural enrichment, and more. TRIO staff works to help students overcome barriers, remain enrolled, and graduate from UAFS. 

Ruminer said that the TRIO SSS program can serve nearly all bachelor’s programs at UAFS. The TRIO STEM program serves only students enrolled in bachelor's programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health sciences. 

UAFS students interested in applying for either TRIO program can visit https://uafs.edu/academics/academic-resources/trio/trio-sss.php for TRIO SSS or https://uafs.edu/academics/academic-resources/trio/trio-stem.php for TRIO STEM. 

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