It is with a great deal of pleasure that I welcome you to the 38th year of the Illinois Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel (ILAEOPP) Incorporated. For 2011-12, the theme I have selected is “TRiO: Changing Lives For A Changing World”. I believe this to be a very relevant and appropriate theme in light of the vastly changing landscape and scenarios that we as TRiO professionals and TRiO students face.
It is indeed an honor to be selected to lead an organization such as ILAEOPP, INC which has a very rich and illustrious history. Our regional association, MAEOPP, is one of the strongest regions within the TRiO community and ILAEOPP, INC. continues to be a leader in MAEOPP. For without ILAEOPP, it would be impossible for MAEOPP to remain a leader.
Without a doubt, 2011-12 promises to be a very exciting but challenging time for TRiO. At the forefront is the national election, as the country looks at a cadre of potential new leaders. It is certainly time for ILAEOPP to flex its muscle, as we call on all TRIO professionals, students, alumni, and family members to go to the polls and to vote for those candidates that will have the best interests of TRiO nearest and dearest their hearts. This is also an excellent time to encourage your students to “tell their story” in their own words, to the media and all that will listen, how TRiO has been a blessing to them. Advocacy will be woven through all that we attempt to do in support of TRiO and our programming.
To assist in getting the word out, ILAEOPP has planned a number of events which are certainly to be of benefit to you or your students. Among these events are:
