The Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach (CAEO) at UNLV has been a quiet but prominent force in Southern Nevada since 1979. CAEO is a family of programs designed to help low-income, first generation and under-represented students in their pursuit of secondary, post-secondary and graduate educations.
Although CAEO is reliant on 12 major federal grants, it differentiates itself from financial aid programs by going beyond strictly financial support. In essence, CAEO offers workshops, tutoring, intervention and counseling to help students overcome barriers of class, social status and culture. “We provide students with the skills and motivation to matriculate through secondary and post-secondary education,” said Dr. Tracy Cotton, executive director of CAEO.
A total of 11 programs are offered, and five of them are known as “TRIO” programs. TRIO was a product of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s war on poverty and the Higher Education Act of 1965, which falls under Title IV. “The aim of Title IV was to break the cycle of poverty, re-focus education and focus underprivileged families on secondary education,” said Cotton. TRIO programs are now offered across the country, with the largest suite here at CAEO. According to Cotton, “We have set a positive standard, and now have a training institute to educate directors and encourage regulation nationwide.”
Here is a brief description of the TRIO programs and others offered:
Upward Bound: College prep for high school students that focuses on strengthening math, science, English and foreign language skills.
Educational Talent Search: Early intervention program for 6th- to 12th-graders to show them their educational opportunities and options.
Student Support Services: Supports UNLV students in following through and earning a bachelor’s degree.
Ronald E. McNair Program: Encourages and prepares minority UNLV undergraduates to consider doctoral study and college teaching careers.
Adult Educational Services: Assists displaced or under-employed workers over age 19 with choosing a career path and appropriate educational channels.
GEAR UP: Educates students from six area middle schools on the importance of post-secondary education and helps them attain it.
Early Studies: Gives high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to get ahead by taking college courses.
EMBRACE: Assists students and their families overcome life challenges by providing comprehensive supportive services.
I Have a Dream: Together with local agencies, helps solve academic and personal problems for existing program families.
Tutoring: Provides individualized tutorial services to middle school, high school and UNLV students.
Parents Educational: Assists parents in their efforts to further their children’s education by breaking down possible barriers.
The efforts of CAEO have been effective. Students in Upward Bound are four times more likely to earn an undergraduate degree, and students in Student Support Services are more than twice as likely to remain in college as students from similar backgrounds who did not participate in these programs. The graduation rate for students in TRIO programs is 82 percent over five years, compared to the national university graduation rate of 39 percent over six years.
Currently, CAEO is helping 15,000 students from sixth grade through doctorate programs, while being federally funded to help only 8,500. Cotton explained, “We leverage federal dollars with gifts and donations from community organizations in order to be able to help more students. We have partnerships with Wells Fargo, The Venetian, Boys & Girls Club and CCSD (Clark County School District).” The number of students in CAEO programs rises every year by 2,600 and there are more than 200,000 in the Las Vegas area who qualify. Cotton stated, “Higher education equates to higher income and quality of life. We’re just trying to give students every opportunity to realize their full potential for personal and professional growth.”
To learn more about CAEO, or to become a community partner, call 702-895-4777.
