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Office of Council Member Pierina Sanchez
Media team: d14media@council.nyc.gov
(347)590-2874
THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL APPLAUDS COUNCIL MEMBER PIERINA ANA SANCHEZ, RECIPIENT OF THE 2024 NATIONAL TRIO ACHIEVER AWARD
New York, NY – The National TRIO Achiever Award recognizes outstanding individuals who participated in the Federal TRIO Programs, including Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, Talent Search, Student Support Services, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, Veterans Upward Bound, and Educational Opportunity Centers.
NEW YORK, NY – The New York City Council is proud to announce that Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez, representing the 14th district in the Bronx, has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2024 National TRIO Achiever Award. This honor, presented by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE), recognizes outstanding individuals who have participated in Federal TRIO Programs and have made significant contributions to their professions and communities.
Council Member Sanchez will be celebrated alongside five other exceptional TRIO alumni at the 2024 Educational Opportunity Awards Dinner during the COE Annual Conference in New York City on Tuesday, September 10. This event highlights the transformative power of the Federal TRIO Programs in advancing educational opportunities and celebrates the achievements of TRIO alumni.
Sanchez, an Afro-Dominicana and daughter of immigrants, was born and raised in the Bronx. Her family’s hard work and dedication instilled in her the value of education. She excelled academically as a proud alumna of the Bronx Community College TRIO Upward Bound program. She graduated from Harvard University on a full scholarship and a master’s in public affairs from Princeton University.
Reflecting on her journey, Sanchez shared, “The Bronx Community College TRIO Upward Bound program was a game-changer for me. It provided the foundation and support I needed to excel academically and pursue my dreams. My story is a testament to the power of educational access and opportunity. I am deeply honored to receive the National TRIO Achiever Award and will continue to fight for immigrant families, racial justice, affordable housing, and meaningful investments in our communities.”
Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education, praised Sanchez’s accomplishments, stating, “Pierina Ana Sanchez exemplifies the impact and spirit of the TRIO Programs. Her dedication to public service and advocacy for her community, along with her professional achievements, underscore the essential role that TRIO plays in empowering students to achieve their full potential. We are honored to recognize her as a 2024 National TRIO Achiever.”
Sanchez’s career in public service began in 2007 and has spanned various roles, including serving in the Obama White House and as an urban planner at the Regional Plan Association. As a member of Bronx Community Board 5, she co-founded the Jerome Avenue Revitalization Collaborative and advocated for affordable housing and community investments. Most recently, she was an advisor in the mayor’s office, focusing on progressive housing policies and the city’s COVID-19 response, and served as a Senior Fellow at the Pratt Center for Community Development.
The New York City Council congratulates Council Member Sanchez on this well-deserved honor. Her achievements continue to inspire current students and professionals dedicated to ensuring access to higher education for all.
Past recipients of the National TRIO Achiever Award include renowned figures such as actress and producer Viola Davis, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, and retired NASA astronaut José Hernández.
Please visit coenet.org for more information about the National TRIO Achiever Award or to purchase tickets to the Educational Opportunity Dinner.
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