Former TRIO director’s impact lives on through scholarship aimed at expanding college access
Two Hokies are among nine recipients to receive support from the Tom Wilson Scholarship.
Kirsten Perrin knew from an early age that she wanted to be a Hokie. But as a first-generation college student, that dream came with daunting questions: How would she navigate the admissions process? How would she afford tuition?
“My mom went to community college for a year and my dad never attended college, so we weren’t sure what to expect,” Perrin said. “Not having someone to ask basic questions about things like online class platforms, getting textbooks, or handling financial aid is a real challenge.”
Virginia Tech’s TRIO Programs had the answers, providing Perrin with the guidance — and the financial support — she needed to succeed. In the fall, she became one of the first recipients of TRIO’s Tom Wilson Scholarship, an award created to help students like her overcome financial barriers to higher education.
Perrin’s journey is one of many made possible through scholarships funded by Virginia Tech alumni and supporters. Opportunities like the TRIO scholarship ensure that more first generation and underserved students have access to higher education — something Tom Wilson, a longtime TRIO Programs director, dedicated his career to making possible.
The university’s TRIO Programs, part of a federally funded initiative, provide cultural and academic support to nearly 1,000 high school students in Southwest Virginia, helping them pursue and obtain postsecondary education. These programs include Upward Bound and Talent Search, which offer services such as tutoring, college advising, financial aid guidance, and enrichment opportunities to first-generation and low-income students.
Wilson, who died in 2020, worked passionately for more than 30 years with Upward Bound and Talent Search, including serving as TRIO Programs director from 1998-2012. In his will, he endowed $500,000 with the Virginia Tech Foundation to provide financial aid for participants. Students do not need to be enrolled at Virginia Tech to qualify for a scholarship.
“Tom was dedicated to making higher education accessible to all students, no matter their background,” said Frances Clark, director of TRIO Programs, which is part of Outreach and International Affairs. “He was especially passionate about supporting first generation and underserved students in this region and ensuring they had the opportunity to attend college. These scholarships honor his vision and extend his lasting impact.”
In its first year, the Tom Wilson Scholarship awarded scholarships to nine former TRIO Program participants to help them attend the college or university of their choice.
Now in her second semester at Virginia Tech majoring in microbiology in the College of Science, Perrin credits TRIO with helping her navigate college — from filling out financial aid forms to finding her way around the Blacksburg campus. And she’s not alone.
First-year engineering student Cristian Espinosa, another Tom Wilson Scholarship recipient, first set foot on the Blacksburg campus as a high school student with Upward Bound. Now he’s paying it forward as a student worker and tutor in the TRIO office, mentoring high schoolers who are just beginning their own journeys.
“A lot of them are really worried about going into debt,” he said. “It's been awesome to share my experience with other students and talk about opportunities like the Tom Wilson Scholarship that can help cover college costs.”
Wilson’s impact lives on through the students he dedicated his career to helping, and through the donors who continue to support their success. Opportunities such as Giving Day, offer Hokies the opportunity to contribute to scholarships like the Tom Wilson Scholarship, ensuring that first-generation and underserved students have the resources they need to pursue higher education. Online donations to Virginia Tech TRIO Programs can be made through this form.
“No matter where students choose to pursue their college dreams, Virginia Tech TRIO Programs is committed to supporting them every step of the way,” Clark said.
