By Kaleigh Ibarra and Jake Aron
June 3, 2025
Three participants in TRiO Student Support Services at the University of Missouri were recently recognized for their success. Kiera Gonzales, Mike Murphy and Briana Villegas each received awards from the Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska Chapter of the Educational Opportunity Association (EOA), a non-profit consortium that supports educational opportunities.
Kiera Gonzales
Kiera Gonzales is a senior from O’Fallon, Missouri, majoring in health sciences with an emphasis in leadership and policy and minors in business and human development and family services. She received the Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska (MKN) Rising Achievers Scholarship.
Gonzales has always enjoyed leadership, but thanks to TRiO, she feels like she has become a stronger leader.
“Through my courses and the help of TRiO, I have learned different leadership theories and skills have helped me become the leader I am today,” she said.
After graduation, Gonzales plans to attend Mizzou’s master of health administration program and pursue a career in medical device sales.
Mike Murphy
Mike Murphy is a junior from Lansing, Illinois, studying environmental science with an emphasis in atmosphere and a minor in geography. He received the MKN Veterans Scholarship.
Murphy says TRiO has meant the world to him. After being away from a traditional school setting while serving in the Air Force for five years, he worried specifically about his math skills diminishing. But since he started receiving tutoring assistance from TRiO for the past two years, he has passed every math class he’s taken at Mizzou.
“My acquired math skills from TRiO tutoring is where I’ve seen the most growth in myself.” Murphy said.
Following graduation, he plans to seek a job as a meteorologist or in a related field and hopes to settle close to Columbia.
Briana Villegas
Briana Villegas is a junior from Kansas City, Missouri, majoring in international business and minoring in Spanish. She received the MKN Board of Directors Scholarship.
Villegas says TRiO has helped her grow both academically and personally. She’s thankful for the support she has received at Mizzou, including from TRiO, that got her to where she is today.
“TRiO has provided me with invaluable support and resources, creating a stronger sense of community and enhancing my overall academic journey at Mizzou,” Villegas said.
After graduation, Villegas plans to pursue a career in global market research.
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