Rader receives Art Quinn Memorial Award

Montana Technological University is proud to announce that Executive Director of the Institute for Educational Opportunities Theresa Rader received the Art Quinn Memorial Award at the ASPIRE Regional Conference held Sept. 29- Oct. 2. 2024 in Helena.

The Art Quinn Memorial Award is the highest honor given through ASPIRE, Inc., an organization that serves more than 45,000 low-income and first-generation students in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Utah. ASPIRE notes recipients of the award are “long-term ASPIRE members who have excelled in providing services and support to ASPIRE and on behalf of TRIO programs and recipients at the institutional, state, regional, or national level. Art Quinn Memorial Award recipients are professionals who have shown a long-term dedication to assisting TRIO-eligible students in a manner that extends well beyond general expectations and project guidelines.”

Rader is honored to receive the award.

“It was quite a surprise,” Rader said. “Honestly, I was texting so I missed the first part of the nomination. It didn’t register that they were talking about me until about midway through. I guess that’s my lesson for not paying attention. When I realized it, I became pretty emotional. It’s a big deal to be recognized by your peers and even more special that this peer was also one of my students.”

Former TRIO/Upward Bound Director Adam Maes nominated Rader for consideration.

“When I met Theresa, I was a freshman in high school in the Upward Bound Program, and she was just starting her role as an Upward Bound coordinator,” Maes wrote. “Throughout my high school career Theresa was a constant presence and was a safe person for many students. I always looked forward to our Saturday Academies because I knew she would be there. Later when she became my colleague during my time at Montana Tech, she moved into a different mentorship position. She was always a supportive presence as I helped pay back the services that were provided to me. She’s acted as my sound board and even more recently my boss. Throughout all my TRIO career she has always had my back and made sure that I would continually grow and improve. She always knows the line of when to give encouragement and when to provide the tough love that is needed. I know I don’t just speak for myself, but for many students/adults/coworkers when I say Theresa has made a profound difference in my life.”

Rader has previously held various leadership roles within TRIO programs including director of TRIO SSS, and a TRIO coordinator for Upward Bound and Talent Search. She has also served as president of the Montana Chapter of ASPIRE, president of the ASPIRE region and secretary of the Council for Opportunity in Education board. She is only the sixth person from Montana to receive the award since its inception in 1987.