Posted on Friday, February 27, 2026
Iris Sprungl, a participant in Westminster College’s TRIO Scholars Program, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP).
MEAEOPP, the regional TRIO association serving professionals and students in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and Washington, D.C., awarded 10 scholarships at its 49th annual conference. Five scholarships were presented to students in pre-college TRIO programs, and five were awarded to students enrolled in college-level TRIO programs. Sprungl’s scholarship was among those selected for college program participants.
A junior majoring in international studies with a concentration in history and a minor in French, Sprungl has been a TRIO Scholar since their first year at Westminster. Sprungl is a resident of Southington, Ohio, and a graduate of Chalker High School.
“Whether they are coming in for advising, attending or helping with a workshop, or just hanging out, Iris can often be found in the TRIO office,” said Erik Austin, director of Westminster’s TRIO program. “Iris’ commitment to supporting fellow students and engaging fully in the program truly reflects the spirit of TRIO.”
Westminster’s TRIO Scholars Program, funded through a Federal Student Support Services grant, provides services and resources to first-generation, income-eligible students and students with disabilities to help ensure their success in higher education. TRIO Scholars have access to academic tutoring, academic success and wellness coaching to promote classroom achievement and personal well-being, support for learning and other disabilities, and career and graduate school mentoring.
MEAEOPP’s mission is to advocate for the educational and cultural development of TRIO programs and to support underrepresented and underserved individuals. The organization also provides opportunities for professional growth for TRIO staff through the creation and implementation of high-quality TRIO programming.
For more about MEAEOPP, visit www.meaeopp.org.
To learn more about Westminster’s TRIO Scholars Program, please visit www.westminster.edu/trio or contact Austin at austined@westminster.edu.
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By Betsy Fontaine Hildebrand ’92
Betsy Fontaine Hildebrand ’92 is the director of communication in Westminster College's Office of Marketing and Communication.
