Ithaca College

Dr. Christopher House, assistant professor of communication studies and former predoctoral diversity fellow, recently learned that he will receive the 2014 TRIO Achiever Award from the Association for Equality and Excellence in Education.  As the organization articulates:  “A TRIO Achiever is an outstanding former TRIO participant that has received recognition within his/her profession or for outstanding academic achievement. They are individuals who have made significant civic, community, or professional contributions.”  TRIO programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and began as part of the 1965 Higher Education Act.

Dr. House, a first generation college student, was named a Ronald E. McNair Scholar while an undergraduate at SUNY Brockport.  The purpose of McNair program is to prepare well qualified students for doctoral study through involvement in research and other scholarly activities.  With  the support of McNair and TRIO support program, Dr. House went on to receive a prestigious fellowship during graduate study at Syracuse University and subsequently a K. Leroy Irvis Fellowship to support his doctoral studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

Ithaca College’s Predoctoral Diversity Fellowship was the next step for Dr. House in 2012-13.  He earned his doctorate during his year at the College and was subsequently hired as a tenure eligible faculty member in Communication Studies.

The TRIO Achiever Award nomination came from the McNair staff at Brockport, who have been following Dr. House’s research and publication record, in part through posts like this one on Intercom.  Dr. House expresses gratitude to his mentors at Brockport, as well as his colleagues at IC, explaining that programs like McNair and the IC Predoctoral Fellowship  provide students an equal opportunity to demonstrate our potential for success.  I would not be where I am today without them, and I share this honor with both colleges.”