MKN is a 3-state chapter of the Educational Opportunity Association, one of the 10 regional associations in the U.S. that form the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE). Our represents TRIO, GEAR UP, and EOP programs nationwide. There are 140+ TRIO/GEAR UP/EOP programs in the MKN service region with approximately $40 million in federal funding going to programs that help serve over 45,000 participants. TRIO & GEAR UP programs serve first generation, low-income students and students with disabilities, as well as, veterans and students who are homeless and/or in foster care. MKN professionals serve TRIO/GEAR UP/Educational Opportunity Program student across the 3-state region. Each year, we host a professional conference for program personnel. We are looking to host a silent auction for our annual conference. The conference theme “Becoming-Be Bold, Be Brave, Believe”, will be held in Kansas City, MO from April 3-5, 2024. Funds collected from our silent auction will be put into our scholarship fund. Scholarships are given annually to pre-college and college students, as well as, veterans served by programs in MKN.