TRIO Talent Search

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Mineral Area College hosts two TRIO Talent Search (TS) programs.  TS 1 was established in 2002 and TS 2 was established in 2006.  They are part of the TRIO programs each funded by the U. S. Department of Education through a $250,000/yr grant for five years.  Mineral Area College’s contribution is approximately 2 percent of the total budget. 

The objective of the programs is to help low-income and potential first-generation college students prepare for and succeed in an education program after high school (university, community college, technical or vocational school.)  TS not only provides encouragement and support, but educational guidance in areas such as study skills, career exploration, financial aid resources, college orientation, and admission process.

Our services are FREE of charge but participation does require a time commitment from both students and parents in order for students to take advantage of everything that TS offers. 

TS Advisors will visit your school regularly during the school day for group workshops. The schedule for these visits will be coordinated through your school counselor. You will receive notice of the specific dates and locations of your meetings with your TS Advisor.

Learn More about the MAC TRIO Talent Search Program:

For more information about upcoming events and school meeting schedules, please visit: https://sites.google.com/mineralarea.edu/trio-talent-search/home

Each TS program serves 562 students each year. These students must be in sixth through twelfth grades in participating school districts (see below), homeschooled students within the participating school districts, or an adult who wants to return to high school or college and lives in a participating school district.  Any student can participate in TS but the program focus is on students whose parents do not have a four-year college degree and who meet federal income guidelines.  Preference is given to students who fit both criteria, but others may be accepted based on their need for the program and available space.

TS 1 participating schools:  Bismarck, Central, Farmington, Fredericktown, North County and West County

TS 2 participating schools:  Arcadia Valley, Belleview, Kingston, Potosi, and Valley of Caledonia

Your TS Advisor will visit your school regularly during the school day for group workshops. The schedule for these visits will be coordinated through your school counselor. You will receive notice of the specific dates and locations of your meetings with your TS Advisor.

Click here to apply!

College Prep

  • TS students are eligible to receive a waiver for the application fee charged by colleges and universities.
  • Information about specific colleges, universities and other postsecondary choices
  • Assistance in selecting, applying to and enrolling in education programs after high school
  • Contacts with college representatives
  • TS students are eligible to receive a waiver to take the Accuplacer exam for free. 

Career Advising

  • Career exploration and planning
  • Career interest inventories
  • Information on specific careers

Financial Aid Information and Assistance

  • Financial aid workshops for parents and students
  • Individual information and assistance to students and their parents, preparing applications for grants, scholarships, college work programs and student loans
  • Seniors will be eligible to apply for 1 of 2 Talent Search scholarships awarded each year.

Personal Development

  • Decision making
  • Goal setting
  • Time management
  • Leadership
  • Teambuilding
  • Communication

Cultural Trips, College Tours, & Other Events

TRIO Talent Search is located on the Mineral Area College campus. Our primary office is in the North College Center Building - Room 101. When entering the building, go down the hallway to the right.

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. or by appointment as needed.

Staff

Whitney Wolk Maddux
Director
Office: (573) 518-2383
wwolkmaddux@MineralArea.edu
NCC 104

Christina Weiss
Administrative Assistant
Office: (573) 518-2380
Fax: (573) 518-3843
cweiss@MineralArea.edu
NCC 101

Julie Vallance
Administrative Assistant
Office: (573) 518-2392
jvallance@MineralArea.edu
NCC 101

Jennifer Bowling
Academic Advisor
Office: (573) 518-2389
Cell: (573) 315-3790
jbowling@MineralArea.edu
NCC 107
School Districts — Farmington R-VII, Fredericktown R-I, and North County R-I

Christa Tinsley
Academic Advisor
Office: (573) 518-2382
Cell: (573) 315-1002
ctinsley@MineralArea.edu
NCC 108
School Districts — Bismarck R-V, Central R-III, and West County R-IV

Kendra Pigg
Academic Advisor
Office: (573) 518-2388
Cell: (573) 516-1793
kpigg@MineralArea.edu
NCC 105
School Districts — Arcadia Valley R-II, Belleview R-III, and Valley R-VI

Jennifer Shore
Academic Advisor
Office: (573) 518-2269
Cell: (573) 516-3790
jshore@MineralArea.edu
NCC 105
School Districts —Potosi R-III and Kingston K-14