University of North Texas 
Offering College Prep Services for Denton and Gainesville Middle School and High School Students
TRIO Talent Search at the University of North Texas began on September 1, 1985. For the past 31 years, the activities, enthusiasm, and participation grow while the program's focus remains the same: assist students with recognizing and developing their potential so that they can enroll and complete the postsecondary institution that is best for their needs.
OUR GOAL is to increase the number of college graduates in the Cooke and Denton counties by assisting students with academic enrichment, college enrollment, and the financial aid process. Talent Search is one of six federally funded TRIO Programs housed under the Division of Student Affairs at the University of North Texas.
Talent Search Highlights
A Talent Search Success Story
The day before the test, Zipol Harden, a student eager to improve his math skills, approached me with a request—he wanted to join the upcoming testing block. Before leaving, he asked for a worksheet to study, determined to give himself an extra edge. That night, he took his preparation seriously, seeking help from two different instructors and watching TSI math videos to reinforce his understanding.
On test day, Zipol arrived at 8:00 AM—30 minutes early—meticulously reviewing his notes before the bootcamp session began. He made the most of the bootcamp, asking questions whenever confusion arose. At 10:15 AM, testing began, it was time to put his knowledge to work.
As the exam progressed, Zipol remained focused, but midway through, doubt started creeping in. Ten questions into the 20-question test, he called me over and asked, "Is it possible to retake the test already? I don’t think I answered some of the questions right." I reassured him to keep going and reminded him that we could discuss retesting if necessary. Encouraged, he pushed forward.
While other students finished and submitted their paperwork, Zipol kept his head down, determined to do his best. By 1:05 PM, he reached the results screen. Unsure on what to do next, he called me over. His score? 976, the highest I’ve had in my bootcamp yet!
What made this accomplishment even more special was something we learned in the following days—after discussing with counselors, we discovered that Zipol had faced challenges taking tests in the past. His 976 on the Math TSI wasn’t just a passing score—it was a personal victory over self-doubt and past challenges.
The following week, Talent Search proudly celebrated his achievement, awarding him a T-shirt, a drawstring bag, and a Lucky the Squirrel plush as a token of recognition. When asked what he believed made the difference in his success, Zipol had this to say:
"Just practice, don't be scared to ask for help, and always look over your notes."
Zipol Harden’s journey is a powerful reminder that hard work pays off and that no challenge is too big to overcome with dedication, preparation, and the right support.
UNT Talent Search Advisor, Gabriel Lira
