February 25, 2015
Representatives of UW’s Educational Opportunity Center and related programs recently
visited the State Capitol for Wyoming Educational Access Day. From left are Heather
Webb Springer, EOC coordinator in Cheyenne; Daniel Uptain, EOC participant studying
at Casper College; Katherine Greenwell, EOC participant from Cheyenne; and Melissa
Valtierra, EOC coordinator in Rawlins. (UW Photo)
The University of Wyoming’s Office of Student Educational Opportunity TRiO and GEAR
UP programs celebrated Wyoming Educational Access Day 2015 in Cheyenne, along with
other access programs hosted by Wyoming colleges statewide.
The federally funded TRiO and GEAR UP programs are designed to increase preparation for, access to and completion of college
among low-income high school students and adults in Wyoming.
Two participants from UW’s Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) TRiO program, Daniel
Uptain of Casper and Katherine Greenwell of Cheyenne, were part of a larger group
of students who met with representatives of Wyoming’s congressional delegation and
spoke with Gov. Matt Mead before he signed a proclamation designating Feb. 12 as Wyoming
Educational Access Day.
Uptain first began taking advantage of EOC’s educational access services while incarcerated
at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution in Torrington. He will graduate from
Casper College in May before transferring to UW-Casper beginning fall 2015. Uptain
shared with the governor the story of how EOC has helped Uptain achieve his educational
goals since his release last year.
Greenwell will graduate from Cheyenne Central High School in May. She is a homeless
student and has been working with the EOC program to complete high school and apply
for college scholarships and federal financial aid. UW has accepted her for enrollment
in fall 2015.
UW’s EOC educational access programs have staff members and offices located across
Wyoming. For more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/seo/eoc.
