PROJECT ASPIREE (TRIO TALENT SEARCH)

Mission Statement

The mission of Vincennes University Project ASPIREE Talent Search program, through outreach programming in financial, personal, career, and academic advisement, is to assist qualified income-eligible and/or first-generation students to re-enter secondary school, complete secondary school and undertake a program of postsecondary education.

Vision Statement

Project ASPIREE is committed to all participants to achieve their educational goals. Participants will be equipped with the necessary resources and skills which will enable them to: successfully meet the challenges of the 21st Century, make sound career decisions, and pursue post-secondary opportunities which will allow them to improve their quality of life and contribute to society.

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Project Aspiree Welcome Page

Project ASPIREE is a Federal TRIO/Talent Search program --- Achieving Success through Participation In Reaching Educational Excellence.

About Us and Funding
Project ASPIREE, a Talent Search Grant, is a TRIO program 100% federally funded at $328,413 by the U.S. Department of Education for the '22-23 grant year and serves nearly 600 students between grades 6 and 12 (ages 11 and 27) at high schools and middle schools in Daviess, Martin and Sullivan counties in Indiana.

Project ASPIREE identifies and assists individuals from income eligible backgrounds and/or potential first generations students(neither parent has a four year college degree) who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and enourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to the post-secondary school of their choice. 

U.S. and permanent citizens are eligible who meet at least one of two other criteria: neither parent has earned a four-year college degree or the family household income does not exceed the federal guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Education. Also, students must truly desire to do well in school and pursue a college education.

Some of the services offered:

  • Academic, financial, career, or personal counseling including advice on entry or re-entry to secondary or postsecondary programs
  • Career exploration 
  • Connections to Tutoring
  • Information on post-secondary education
  • Exposure to college campuses
  • Information on student financial assistance
  • Assistance in completing college admissions and financial aid applications
  • Assistance in preparing for college entrance exams
  • Special activities for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders
  • Workshops for participants and the families of participants
  • Academic Advising
  • Mentoring and more

Join today by completing the attached application and parent letter for the Project ASPIREE program. Please apply here:

Online Forms:

Printable PDF Forms:

We serve the following schools including the Southwest Detention Center.



Contact Information


For more information you may also contact office staff:

Kimberly D. Fields, Project ASPIREE Director kdfields@vinu.edu or 812-888-5062
Ann Mantuano, Project ASPIREE Office Manager at amantuano@vinu.edu,
aspiree@vinu.edu or 812-888-5063 

Outreach advisors:
Heather Ray at Heather.Ray@vinu.edu or 812-888-5896
John Atkinson at John.Atkinson@vinu.edu or 812-888-4994

ready to begin?