GREENEVILLE – Two leaders in programs at Tusculum University that support students whose parents or guardians have not earned a bachelor’s degree or who come from lower-income households are heading a group that will advocate for services provided.

Erin Frizzell, left and Meagan Stark have been named co-chairs of the Tennessee TRIO Advocacy Committee.
Erin Frizzell, director of Upward Bound, and Meagan Stark, associate director of Student Support Services, have been named co-chairs of the Tennessee TRIO Advocacy Committee. Tennessee TRIO is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting TRIO professionals throughout the state. This organization helps the programs and those who work in them to expand college access to underserved and underrepresented groups by offering professional development, student events and outreach activities.
TRIO is a collection of federal grant programs that encourage students in middle school through college to pursue a bachelor’s degree and then explore and potentially seek a master’s degree. The participants are classified as first-generation students. Tusculum has seven TRIO programs – two apiece with Upward Bound and Talent Search and one each with Upward Bound Math and Science, SSS and ARCHES.
“Advocacy is such an integral part of what we do in our grants,” Frizzell said. “TRIO programs are a bipartisan effort, so it takes everyone to make it work and secure funding. I felt with my education and background, I could boost program-wide participation and teach others how to advocate for our students, which can be an art.”
Frizzell and Stark not only understand the intricacies of the programs from their status as employees but also recognize their importance because they were first-generation degree students.
“As an alumna of a Tennessee TRIO program, I have personally experienced the transformative power of these programs,” Stark said. “Serving on a committee to help elevate the message about the positive and consistent outcomes of TRIO programs and hopefully ensure their continued existence for disadvantaged students across the state is my small way of paying it forward. “
The committee’s role is:
- To increase knowledge/awareness of the political process on the national and state level
- To facilitate outreach efforts to inform our congressional delegation of the work of TRIO
- To coordinate state-wide fact book and other information campaigns
Frizzell was the only person on this committee before she recruited Stark to join her, citing her intelligence and motivation. Now the committee has 15 members. Stark is focused on seeing Tennessee TRIO grow and strengthen policy networks across the state.
“TRIO programs are federally funded, so the continued existence of our programs depends on how well we can communicate our impact to those in power,” Stark said. “I would like to see a committee that empowers TRIO professionals across the state to be civically engaged.”
Frizzell has firsthand experience working with elected officials. She and Dr. David Smith, director of TRIO programs at Tusculum, have created a steady dialogue with staff members for U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., who have attended some of Tusculum’s TRIO events.
SSS and ARCHES, which are directed by Rachael Barnett, secured the attendance of a staff member for U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, to attend Tusculum’s First-Generation College Celebration Day observance in November. The university’s TRIO programs have also earned the support of U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, a Republican who represents Tennessee’s 1st Congressional District.
“My goal is to educate other TRIO professionals on how to advocate – how to reach out to our elected officials and promote TRIO programs,” Frizzell said. “We plan to provide professional development on Advocacy 101, which will hopefully spin off into other applicable professional development. Attending an event in the spring with Dr. Smith and Meagan was a career highlight for me. We went and met with our senators and congressmen and congresswomen, and my students’ names and faces kept popping into my head. They are the reason we do this.”
Frizzell and Stark possess backgrounds in addition to their employment with Tusculum’s TRIO programs that position them well to lead the committee. Frizzell has a bachelor’s degree in political science, with a concentration in journalism, from Clemson University. Stark has a bachelor’s degree in political science from East Tennessee State University and a master’s in that field from Syracuse University. She also teaches American Government at Tusculum each semester.
Frizzell also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Tusculum and is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from the University of Tennessee. Earlier in her career, she worked in the 3rd District and Washington offices of former U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, a Republican, as a congressional intern and aide. She also taught American History and Government at Science High School High School in Johnson City.
“Meagan and Erin are perfect choices to lead the committee based on their education and experience,” said Elaine Tilley, president of Tennessee TRIO. “Meagan’s degree has given her a wealth of knowledge on the theory and practice of politics, which is so beneficial to knowing how the process works. Erin has experience working with the political process, which gives her a firsthand perspective on what does and doesn’t work. Other than their experience, their personalities are assets to the position. They are assertive yet diplomatic, can lead but also can lead without being out front. They are valuable members of Tennessee TRIO.”
To learn more about Tennessee TRIO, please visit https://sites.google.com/site/triotasp. More information about Tusculum’s TRIO programs is available at https://site.tusculum.edu/student-success/academic-affairs/first-gen/.