TRIO helps students succeed!  Our students are rockstars who continually challenge themselves, inspire our staff and set an example for their peers.  Each month we feature a TRIO SSS student who has excelled in their studies and is progressing toward graduation!

September, 2023 - Student of the Month
Marci Olsen
Hello! I’m Marci Olsen, a first-generation, disabled, low-income student, entering my senior year as a Psychology major. I’m also a self-described pseudo-nerd. Aside from my major, I’m also fascinated by neuroscience, mycology, herpetology, entomology, etymology, geology, and SO many other things! I enjoy simply being, backpacking, backcountry motorcycling/adventure touring, photography, drawing, karaoke, swimming, Hayao Miyazaki films, and much more.

My educational journey has been bumpy. I dropped out of school 15 years ago due to a combination of family and economic challenges, and no clear sense of why I was in school. At the time, I was unaware of TRIO SSS. I returned to UM last fall, realizing I didn’t fully know what I was getting myself into. I was fortunate to learn about TRIO SSS in RA training, and I quickly applied for their services, not knowing what to expect but knowing I would need all the help I could get. They immediately provided me not only with support, but also with a sense of community, which I very much needed as a non-traditional student. Peter Donaldson, my TRIO Advisor, has been pivotal in overcoming my many academic and personal challenges this past year. I’ve found that by merely having conversations with Peter, I often learn things about college and available resources that I didn’t even realize I needed to know, and I always leave our conversations feeling better than when I came into them. Also, the rest of the TRIO team has always been warm, welcoming, supportive, and friendly.

With Peter’s support this semester, I plan to begin applying for grad programs, something I had previously not accepted as a possibility. I will also further my relationship with TRIO this semester by working as a Peer Mentor. I hope that by doing so, I will have the opportunity to pay forward, even if just a smidgeon, what I have received from this fantastic team of genuine, caring individuals.

October, 2023 - Student of the Month
Alexander Camacho
Greetings! My name is Samuel Alexander Camacho (I go by Alexander) and I am going into the last two semesters of my senior year. I will graduate majoring in Communication with a minor in Environmental Studies. I am currently getting out and enjoying the last of the summer weather with my dog Romeo while I eagerly await ski season. I am very honored to have the hard work I put into my academics be recognized through the nomination for Student of the Month. I have put a great deal of hard work into myself which would certainly have amounted to nothing were it not for the countless hours of work and support provided to me by Peter Donaldson and the rest of the TRIO family.  If you see me in the office or around campus, feel free to flag me down and introduce yourself or say hi. If Romeo is with me I’m sure he would love some scratches as well.

November, 2023 - Student of the Month
Jay Arzate
Hi! My name is Jay Arzate and I use any/all pronouns and I am from Oxnard, California. I will be graduating this Fall with my Bachelors of Science degree in Geography, with an Area of Concentration in Physical Geography. Additionally, I will be receiving my Geographic Information Science Certificate and Water Science and Society Certificate. Perhaps attributed to growing up in a farm town, I love talking about water! How we, as a community, can protect not only the quantity but the quality of water. In my free time, I like to go on hikes, read a book, watch movies or practice embroidery. I also love to talk about food and push myself to make foods that are out of my comfort zone. Upon graduation, my aim is to gain some experience in the GIS field then pursue a Master’s degree.

December, 2023 - Student of the Month
Chris Quigley
My name is Chris Quigley. I am graduating in December with an Associates Degree where I focused on Sociology & Political Science. After graduation I plan to get involved in local advocacy organizations.

Outside of school, I am a part of a local board gaming group and I also enjoy listening to most types of EDM. TRIO has helped me over the years with advocacy and finding non-traditional ways of solving issues that arise.

January, 2024 - Student of the Month
Ana Beard
My name is Ana (she/they pronouns). I am a single-parent of two, and a third-year neuroscience student, minoring in English. 

When I do not have my hands full with parenting and school, I do story work to support individuals as they give themselves permission to take up space with their stories, as well as to guide nonprofits in uplifting participant experiences with care and respect. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Mountain Home Montana, a nonprofit that serves young moms and their kiddos in our community, and take great pride in being a part of something so important to families like mine in our area. 

Coming back to school has been a challenging, yet invigorating experience to stretch my brain and expand my community impact. I am immensely grateful for the supportive staff I've encountered, and TRIO for empowering me as I work towards my degree.

February, 2024 - Student of the Month
Jaimie Davis
Jaimie Davis graduated in December 2023 magna cum laude with a BA in Anthropology focusing on Diversity and Culture and a minor in Art Studio. During her time at UM, Jaimie has been involved with TRIO, the DHC, WRHC, and the Visual Arts department. Her career aspirations are to work in exhibit design at an art museum. Jaimie is taking a gap year in Missoula before coming back to academia and applying for graduate school abroad to study art. Jaimie is leaving UM with published academic work and a life full of promising career prospects.