Non-traditional engineering student highlights importance of TRIO Student Support Services at Montana Tech
When Riley Huckins graduated from Cheney High School in Cheney, Washington over a decade ago, he did not even consider college as an option.
“I had no one to talk to me about college,” Huckins remembers. “My high school didn’t actively promote college attendance or offer related programs. My parents didn’t attend college, so I thought I would go work wherever. Looking back, if I had somebody to teach me the importance of attending college, I would have gone a long time ago.”
Instead of enrolling in higher education, Huckins found himself working mostly manual labor jobs in the labor shop and maintenance sector at an open pit gold mine in Elko, Nevada.
“I had good jobs; I had bad jobs, but never found a career,” Huckins said.
His mother later moved to Butte and he followed. He enrolled at Montana Tech after deciding it's time to make a career for the future. As a 2nd year student, he’s currently torn between electrical and mining engineering.
“My favorite job ever was working in a mine,” Huckins said. “But I also just have a hunch that electrical engineering is going to be needed for everything as we progress in the future. I also find circuits and stuff like that pretty interesting.”
One source of help in succeeding as a non-traditional student has been the TRIO Student Support Services STEM program. TRIO is a federally funded program designed to serve first-generation, income eligible, and students with disabilities. The program provides opportunities in academic development, financial literacy, career awareness, and other college requirements. TRIO Student Support Services STEM serves to motivate students towards the successful completion of their post-secondary education.
As part of the program, Huckins is advised by Director of TRIO Student Support Services Carissa Johnson.
“I had a really rough last semester, and Carissa was always checking on me,” Huckins said. “She knew everything that was going on. She gave me a lot of help in school, but she also gave me a ton of resources outside of Montana Tech to help. If I needed something and couldn't find it, she would go look at what was available in Butte, and try to help me find what I needed.”
Johnson also helped Huckins land a scholarship. Huckins says the extra support offered by TRIO makes a difference.
“The best part about TRIO is that yes, you have a general advisor when you go to college, but that advisor has a lot on their plate, whereas the TRIO advisor, they focus on you. They focus on you, listen to you. They ask you what you specifically need help with.”
Huckins is doing well in his classes. He’s especially skilled in math, but chemistry has been a bit of a challenge.
“For 13 years, I did not use any of that knowledge so I’m re-teaching myself everything to use in college,” Huckins said.
So far, Huckins is pleased with his choice to attend Montana Tech as a non-traditional student. He’s got advice for other older students who might worry that they won’t fit on campus.
“There are a lot more non-traditional students on campus than you think,” Huckins said. “Pretty much all my friends here are non-traditional. Some of my friends here are 60 years old and they're going to college. So, don't think to yourself, ‘Oh, I'm already 30. What's the point?’ Just go to college. TRIO helps a lot with that.”
Students can apply to TRIO Student Support Services here. The program offers the following services:
- One-on-one individualized academic success coaching
- Orientation for incoming freshmen
- Guidance in academic, personal, and career goals
- Tutoring and study groups
- Assistance in graduate school applications
- Student Success Workshops
- STEM field trips and leadership conferences
- Graduate school tours and preparation
- Scholarship assistance
To qualify, students must be pursuing a four-year STEM degree, first-generation (neither parent has received a bachelor’s degree), income-eligible, or have a documented disability. Due to federal guidelines, TRIO Student Support Services cannot work with international students, or students who already have obtained a bachelor’s degree. For more information, reach out to Johnson at cjohnson25@mtech.edu or 406-496-4289.