Richard Haynes Earns Champion of Educational Opportunity Award from NHEOA

Organization surprises Haynes with honor at annual TRIO Day celebration

Friday, February 28, 2025

Man in a red shirt smiles while sitting at a table

Richard Haynes, director of admissions, recruitment and access at the University of New Hampshire, attended a Feb. 21 TRIO Day event led by the New Hampshire Educational Opportunity Association (NHEOA) assuming his only role would be as keynote speaker.

He left the celebration as a celebrated honoree.

Man in suit and bow tie holding glass award — Haynes with the Champion of Educational Opportunity Award. (courtesy photo)

Haynes had planned to address the 500 TRIO high school students from throughout New England who were attending the event, an annual celebration to commemorate “National TRIO Day,” established in 1986 to recognize the achievements of the Federal TRIO programs in communities across the country. He hadn’t planned to be recognized with the NHEOA Champion of Educational Opportunity Award, which the organized surprised him with during the festivities.

The award is designed to recognize individuals or organizations within the state of New Hampshire who have demonstrated commitment and support of equal access to higher education. Haynes was surprised with the award after his keynote address, which focused on his life's journey and the power of education to transform lives.

Haynes, who is also a professional artist, joined the UNH admissions team as associate director for diversity recruiting in 2005 and in 2018 was the recipient of the university’s Presidential Award of Excellence, the highest honor bestowed upon university staff.

The NHEOA is a nonprofit organization that brings together professionals in educational opportunity programs that support and prepare traditionally underserved students for success in education. There are nine TRIO programs at four host institutions throughout New Hampshire, including UNH, which is home to UNH:TRIO Upward Bound, Educational Talen Search, Student Support Services (TRIO Scholars) and the McNair Scholars program.

National TRIO Day began in 1986, when a congressional resolution declared Feb. 28 of that year be designated as such. Since then, the TRIO community reserves the fourth Saturday in February as National TRIO Day to increase awareness and celebrate the positive impact of federal TRIO programs in U.S. communities.

The New England celebration every February is an overnight event, which includes college tours, a keynote address, special activities and networking, workshops and a college fair.