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When Edgar Ruiz Jr. first stepped onto �ؾ���’s downtown campus, he felt “very overwhelmed,” unsure of where he fit and how he would navigate returning to college as a nontraditional student. Today, Edgar is not only thriving but helping others do the same as a TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) peer mentor, proof of what can happen when students find the right support system.

A Chicago native from Logan Square, Edgar comes to �ؾ��� with a story shaped by independence, resilience and responsibility. He moved out on his own at 17 and at one point was “considered homeless,” navigating adulthood without the traditional safety nets many students rely on. As a first-generation college student and one of many siblings, he is determined to be the first in his family to earn a degree. “No one in my family has finished, so it was scary,” he says.

Today, Edgar is a Psychology major with a concentration in Mental Health and a minor in Graphic Design. His strong personal connection to mental health comes from navigating his own challenges and supporting loved ones through theirs, experiences that now drive his goals. “We’ve all had our own struggle with mental health. I had a lot of people in the community, family, close friends, who also struggled,” Edgar says. He added that these experiences motivated him to do more for others.

Now, Edgar is building toward a future where he can make a meaningful impact. “I wanted to learn, but I also wanted to help my family and friends,” he says.

After time away from college and working full time, Edgar chose �ؾ��� based on a friend’s recommendation and its strong psychology program. Returning to school came with self-doubt. “What am I doing here? I’m too old for this,” he recalls. That uncertainty faded as he experienced �ؾ���’s supportive environment. “I was just grateful and surprised about how much help I was getting,” he says.

That support became even more meaningful through TRIO SSS. TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded program designed to help first-generation, low-income and students with documented disabilities succeed in college through advising, workshops and access to essential academic and financial resources. Introduced by a friend, Edgar quickly realized the program’s impact. “I didn’t know that this level of support was a thing. I just thought you go to class and you work it out on your own,” he says. Instead, TRIO SSS provided a network of academic, financial and personal resources designed to help students succeed.

Through workshops, advising and partnerships across campus, TRIO SSS takes a holistic approach. “We do workshops, we have peer mentors, advisors that work with students,” Edgar explained. These services help students navigate everything from budgeting and scholarships to tutoring and internships.

For Edgar, the people behind TRIO SSS are what make it transformational. He credits his SSS STEM Advisor Yolanda Flowers for her mentorship and guidance. He also highlights his supervisor Maria Elena Miller for fostering a welcoming, uplifting space. “I feel like a weight is lifted every time I’m there,” he shared.

Yolanda and Maria Elena had this to say of their time working with Edgar:

“Edgar has been an exceptional addition to the TRIO SSS team. His enthusiasm for helping others is impactful and we’re very grateful to have him in our program.”

Inspired by this experience, Edgar became a peer mentor. Of supporting students facing similar challenges, Edgar says, “It means everything. I see myself in them.” By creating a space where students feel seen and heard, he helps others find the confidence to persevere.

TRIO SSS has also helped shape his future. Edgar plans to pursue graduate study through �ؾ���’s accelerated program and ultimately become a psychologist with a private practice. “The TRIO SSS team helped me find new paths that I can build for my future,” he says.

Recently, Edgar has accepted an offer to continue his education in , and is excited to continue his education. Looking back, Edgar’s journey has come full circle. What once felt overwhelming has become a place of belonging and growth. For students considering �ؾ���, his message is simple. “It can be scary, but you’ll get a lot of benefit from it.” Of the greatest lesson he’s taken from his time with TRIO SSS: “Be your own voice, because you’re your best advocate.”