The Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel (WESTOP) is one of ten regional associations dedicated to furthering educational opportunities for low income, first generation and disabled students.

WESTOP has had a trailblazing legacy of strength, leadership, and commitment to represent the concerns and needs of TRIO students and educational equity issues in our region. We continue to face numerous challenges: the uncertainty of receiving substantial funding; delays in grant competitions; many campuses and states that are coping with unprecedented budget shortfalls which have resulted in work furloughs and implementing the new HEOA regulations.  As in the past, we have managed to come together and advocate for educational access on behalf of our students. It is vital for WESTOP to strengthen its advocacy, partnerships and educational alliances regionally and nationally to get through these challenging times.

Our Board of Directors and Service Council members are committed to move our association forward and have identified priorities from the WESTOP’s 2009-14 Strategic Plan. Each priority has been assigned a committee lead that will coordinate the planning activities to ensure these strategic goals are obtained during this fiscal year.