SWOCC release - Award Recognizes Exceptional Leadership During Pandemic and Continued Advocacy for Low-Income and First-Generation Students.  COOS BAY, OR – The Northwest Association of Educational Opportunity Programs (NAEOP) awarded the Dr. Arnold Mitchem Leadership and Advocacy Award to Michelle Benoit, Director of TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) at Southwestern Oregon Community College at its annual conference in October. The award recognizes an individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to serving low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities throughout the Northwest region.  The award is named for Dr. Arnold L. Mitchem, the founding president and president emeritus of the Council for Opportunity in Education. Dr. Mitchem is an internationally recognized pioneer in advancing equal educational opportunity and is credited with formulating the concept of “first-generation” students, which was adopted in the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1980. His nearly six decades of advocacy have helped expand federally funded TRIO programs by nearly 400 percent, now serving nearly one million students annually at more than 1,200 colleges and universities nationwide.  Since 2013, Benoit has led the TRIO SSS program at Southwestern, where she has been a tireless advocate for students on her campus and throughout Oregon, the Northwest region, and nationally. Her leadership was particularly vital during her tenure as Oregon TRIO Association (OTA) president in 2020, when TRIO programs nationwide faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.  “Michelle is a confident and strong advocate and served her state and region at a time when programs had to quickly pivot and adjust to the changes at their institutions, with their students, and at the federal level,” said Robin Williams, incoming President of NAEOP. Her leadership helped guide programs through one of the most challenging periods in higher education history.  Beyond her campus responsibilities and state leadership, Benoit consistently prioritizes advocacy at the national level and is a regular attendee at the Annual Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C., where she maintains strong connections with Oregon's congressional delegation, including U.S. Representative Val Hoyle, District 4's dedicated TRIO advocate.  Benoit’s impact is deeply felt on campus as well. “We are proud to recognize the tremendous work that Michelle Benoit has contributed to Southwestern, where her dedication to supporting and advocating for students has made a lasting impact. With compassion and unwavering commitment, she has helped countless learners navigate the challenges of college. A respected leader on campus, Michelle consistently elevates the student experience through her guidance and example. We are thrilled to see her efforts honored and celebrated,” shared DeAnne Varitek, Dean of Career Technical Education at Southwestern.  Benoit’s influence extends beyond Southwestern. Her commitment to strengthening the TRIO community extends to mentoring other TRIO directors and serving as a NAEOP peer reviewer, helping to ensure program quality and supporting emerging leaders in the field.  “We are very grateful to have Michelle as such a strong leader and advocate in our region,” said Williams. Her dedication to educational opportunity exemplifies the values that Dr. Mitchem championed throughout his career.  “I am deeply honored to receive the Dr. Arnold Mitchem Award. As a first-generation college graduate, I know firsthand the transformative power of education. I am grateful to the students whose resilience and determination inspire me every day and to the TRIO community that continues Dr. Mitchem’s legacy of advocacy and opportunity,” said Benoit.  NAEOP represents professional educators who work with low-income, first-generation, and students with disabilities throughout Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. NAEOP provides a venue in which all TRIO and similar programs may support the success these students to obtain a quality education. NAEOP provides support services and opportunities not normally accessible to these populations to help them reach their full potential and develop into professional individuals.  Southwestern’s mission is to support student achievement by providing access to lifelong learning and community engagement in a sustainable manner. To learn more about our programs and resources visit: www.socc.edu.