Two University of MN TRIO alumni have won 2014 MN TRIO Achiever awards. Kao Kalia Yang is a Student Support Services alumna from Carleton College and a McNair Scholars alumna from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Her first book, The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir, is the best-selling book in Coffee House Press history and was the featured book for CEHD Reads during the 2013-14 academic year. In 2009, The Latehomecomer won the Minnesota Book Award for memoir/creative nonfiction as well as the Reader’s Choice Award, becoming the first book to win two awards. Yang holds a MFA from Columbia University’s School of the Arts in creative nonfiction writing.

Simon K. Shannon is a McNair Scholar alumnus who holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a B.A. in chemistry from the University of Minnesota-Morris. Shannon is currently an Advanced Product Development Specialist at 3M Company. Shannon holds 11 patents and has authored numerous papers. While a graduate student, Simon helped organize a Minnesota chapter of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemist and Chemical Engineers, from whom he received their Exemplary Leadership Award in 2004. Simon currently chairs the 3M African American Network and is active in peer and youth mentoring.

Yang and Simon will be honored in November at  the Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP) annual conference. MAEOPP is the regional association for TRIO Programs.