Council for Opportunity in Education - COE

08/17/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to COE’s Angela “Angie” Holley! 🎂

Today, we celebrate Angie—a proud TRIO alumna whose career has been defined by opening doors for students and giving back to the TRIO community that helped shape her journey.

After 22 years leading TRIO programs, Angie now brings that experience and passion to COE, developing opportunities that help low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities succeed in college, prepare for meaningful careers, and build pathways to employment.

From her leadership across West Virginia and the Mid-Eastern region to her tireless commitment to the next generation of TRIO students, Angie embodies the spirit of TRIO paying it forward.

Please join the COE family in wishing Angie a very Happy Birthday! We’re grateful for all she does for our students and the TRIO community. 🎈🎉

08/14/2026

Help bring the mission of TRIO to SXSW EDU 2027 by voting for all three sessions featuring COE leaders. Voting closes Sunday, August 23, so cast your votes using the links below today!

PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform. Enter ideas and vote to help shape Conference programming for SXSW and SXSW EDU.

08/12/2026

08/11/2026

What’s your take?

In a new piece for Inside Higher Ed, Brian Rosenberg takes a closer look at Secretary Linda McMahon’s recent letter to university leaders and what it could signal for the relationship between Washington and higher education.

Rosenberg argues that while the message may sound more collaborative than the earlier “Compact for Excellence in Higher Education,” the underlying priorities may not have changed.

What do you think this latest approach could mean for colleges and universities?

Don’t kid yourself: This administration is not letting up its attacks on higher ed.

08/10/2026

Today is your LAST chance to save on registration. Prices increase tomorrow. Register today and save!

TRIO professionals come to the annual conference to hear new ideas, meet new colleagues, and generate renewed energy.

08/07/2026

📘 The newest I’m First! Guide to College is here!

COE is proud to continue its partnership with UStrive to bring TRIO programs special access to this trusted resource for first-generation and low-income students.

With more than 50 new pages, the expanded 2026 edition includes:

✅ New content for younger students
✅ Updated college application and financial aid tools
✅ Current FAFSA guidance
✅ Practical advice for using AI responsibly in admissions
✅ Ready-to-use content for workshops, advising, and group programming

Save 25% with code COE25OFF26 or 40% when ordering 40 or more copies with code COE40OFF26.

Want a closer look? Join us Tuesday, September 22, from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m. ET for “The I’m First! Guide 18.0: A More Powerful, All-in-One College Resource” webinar.

More info here: https://coenet.org/conferences-events/the-im-first-guide-18-0-a-more-powerful-all-in-once-college-resource-2/

Join our webinar to explore the updated I'm First! Guide to College, packed with new resources for first-generation, low-income students, plus exclusive discounts for TRIO providers!

08/06/2026

One week to go! 📅 Join us on Wednesday, August 12, for a practical webinar on building a clear, sustainable test prep strategy for the 2026–27 school year—without taking time away from core instruction.

Join Dr. Mya Asberry, Director of Instructional Services at MasteryPrep, as she shares strategies for:

🎯 Aligning college readiness skills with existing standards
🧑‍🏫 Embedding high-impact practices into daily lessons
📊 Using student data to guide preparation
🏫 Creating a schoolwide approach that supports teachers and students

🗓️ Wednesday, August 12
⏰ 10 AM CT

Save your spot: https://bit.ly/4bKe7Ef

08/05/2026

📣 TRIO Community: Help bring the mission of educational opportunity to SXSW EDU 2027!

COE has submitted two session proposals, and COE Vice President of Research Sean Simone is featured as a panelist in a third. Your vote can help elevate the expertise, innovation, and leadership of the TRIO community on a national stage.

Please vote for all three sessions:

🔹 The Higher Education Identity Crisis
Featuring COE President Kimberly Jones
Vote here: https://bit.ly/4weTlEn

🔹 Designing a College Investment Calculator We Wish Existed
Featuring COE Vice President of Research Sean Simone
Vote here: https://bit.ly/4hQ37ZN

🔹 The New Higher Ed Data Frontier
Featuring Sean Simone as a panelist
Vote here: https://bit.ly/4q1EzPV

SXSW EDU PanelPicker voting closes Sunday, August 23. Cast your votes and help amplify the voices of the students, professionals, and communities we serve!

PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform. Enter ideas and vote to help shape Conference programming for SXSW and SXSW EDU.