2026 TRIO & EOA Scholarship Winners Announced

Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne celebrates five TRIO students earning scholarships this month, with four students being awarded State of Indiana TRIO Scholarship funds, and one receiving the Indiana Educational Opportunity Association (EOA) Veterans Finalist Scholarship.

The application process for TRIO scholarships is very competitive, and students must be nominated by an Indiana TRIO professional to be considered. Applicants write an essay describing how the
organization has influenced their personal and professional journey. Awards are then determined and distributed by the Indiana TRIO Board of Directors.

More information about this year’s Indiana TRIO scholarships and recipients can be found at indianatrio.org/scholarships.

State of Indiana TRIO Scholarship Awards

State of Indiana TRIO scholarships help reduce the cost of a college education for first-generation students, low-income students or students with disabilities who are active in their campus’ TRIO
programs.

Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s 2026 TRIO Scholarship winners are:

• Gertrude Duncan – Board of Directors Part-Time Student Scholarship
• Hlib Hlukhov – Board of Directors Part-Time Student Scholarship
• Andrea Reed – Education Fund Scholarship
• Frank Shea – Board of Directors Full-Time Student Scholarship

Gertrude “Wendy” Duncan – Board of Directors Part-Time Student Scholarship

Gertrude “Wendy” Duncan is currently enrolled in the LPN program at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne. Upon completing the LPN program, she hopes to move into the Associate of Science in Nursing program.

“TRIO’s support system has reassured me that I am not alone and there are people who truly care about my success,” she said. “This scholarship will motivate me to continue striving for excellence in my education and remind me that my goals are achievable with determination and support.”

Hlib Hlukhov – Board of Directors Part-Time Student Scholarship

Hlib Hlukhov is beginning his third semester in the Associate of Science in Nursing program at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne. His goal is to ultimately become a nurse practitioner (NP).

“TRIO helped me identify my strengths and areas of growth,” he said. “It also allowed me to build community, find new friends, and expand my social network.”

Andrea Reed – Education Fund Scholarship

Andrea Reed is currently pursuing her associate degree in psychology at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne. She currently serves as the campus' Student Government Association president, and plans to continue her education beyond Ivy Tech by eventually earning her master’s degree.

In her scholarship essay, she commented that without the support and guidance of her TRIO family, her dreams might never have taken shape, let alone become a plausible reality.

“This scholarship means more to me than financial support; it represents a genuine belief in my potential,” Reed said. “It reminds me that my goals are within reach and motivates me to work
harder, aim higher, and make the most of every opportunity ahead.”

Frank Shea – Board of Directors Full-Time Student Scholarship

Frank Shea is a United States Air Force veteran pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. At the end of Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s spring 2026 semester, he transferred to Purdue Fort Wayne to continue
his studies.

He described his return to education after 20 years as a “minefield of unfamiliar processes,” a situation he says TRIO helped him navigate. 

“When I walked into TRIO, I felt heard, accepted and witnessed,” Shea said. “Being recognized by Indiana TRIO makes me feel visible in the best way possible.”

The Educational Opportunity Association (EOA) Scholarship Awards

Educational Opportunity Association (EOA) scholarship awards are presented annually to nominated students who demonstrate
“remarkable persistence, grit, leadership and dedication to educational achievement,” according to the EOA Foundation.

Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s 2026 EOA Scholarship winner is:

• Joshua Keeler – Veterans Finalist Scholarship

Joshua Keeler is a United States Army veteran who earned his associate degree in liberal arts from Ivy Tech Fort Wayne in May 2026, and transferred to Purdue Fort Wayne to pursue a bachelor’s
degree in English.

He served as the president of Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s TRIO Leadership Council during the 2025-26 school year, and worked as a peer mentor for the STRIVE program.

“TRIO has had a drastic and magnificent impact not only on my success as a student, but also aiding me in becoming the best version of myself,” Keeler said.

Keeler is one of only two students to be awarded an EOA veterans scholarship within the EOA Foundation’s 10-state region this year.

About the TRIO Program at Ivy Tech

Ivy Tech Community College’s TRIO programs are federally funded initiatives that provide outreach and student services designed to ensure equal educational opportunities for individuals from
disadvantaged backgrounds. Collectively, TRIO programs provide services such as academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial guidance and other support to income-eligible families, first-generation students and students with disabilities. To learn more about Ivy Tech’s TRIO programs, visit ivytech.edu/trio.

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns to the needs of the community.

The College provides seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a Bachelor’s degree.

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