Daemen University’s TRI Scholars Academy, a five-week summer program held July 12–August 14, welcomed 17 incoming first-year Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) students from across New York State, immersing them in Daemen academic and campus experiences to prepare for the fall semester. 
Students stayed in the Canavan residence hall and participated in workshops to further enhance their skills in mathematics, career readiness, reading, and writing.
Dr. Charles Campbell was the CMP 100: Critical Reading and Writing instructor and advised students on their final projects. “Aside from getting to be their teacher and having the opportunity to help shape their minds, I’m also a hip-hop artist. Hip hop was one of my ways into the world of ideas,” said Campbell. “Today, some of these projects that you’re going to see are authenticated through those worlds that these young people have lived, and they get a chance to share their voice with you in a unique way that allows them to personalize their own journey. There’s been so much growth from the first free write we did in class to where they are now.”
Dr. Charles Campbell
Students presented their final projects during the Project Me Showcase on August 13. Presentations included:
- Bad Religion of Unrequited Love by Frank Ocean – Slam Poetry | Shania Jackson, Ashika Neupane, Akira Mason
- I Am – Slam Poetry | Daleena Thompson, Carla Martinez
- New Home: Figure it Out – Slam Poetry | Alexceia Snow
- Tupac Shakur: A Thematic Study of All Eyez on Me – Research + Presentation | Jayla Carter, Mahalia Romulus
- Human Nature: Analyzing Michael Jackson’s Mind – Research + Presentation | Stanley Pena, Devine Morales, Mark Graham, Leila Frederick, Ilona Hunt
- Port Antonio: Humble, Introspective, and Grounded – Research + Presentation | Nicholas Sullivan
- What Happened to Hawai’i? Lessons for Puerto Rico through Music + History – Research + Presentation | Ashley Rodriguez, Yazi Rivera, Luis Cruz Alvarez
Students earned nine college credits upon completion of the summer program.