The NEOA Navigator

Strong Leadership, Strong Future

Volume 1 | Edition 4 | 4.30.2025

Welcome to the April 2025 Navigator, Bryan!

We are excited to share the momentum and inspiration we gained from our truly AMAZING and SUCCESSFUL 2025 Annual Conference in Rhode Island. It was a powerful reminder of the strength, passion, and dedication that defines our community.

In this edition, we turn our focus to Leadership — the driving force behind our collective impact. Leadership challenges us to rise, to innovate, and to empower those around us. As we reflect on the successes of the past month and look ahead to the work still to come, let us continue to lead with purpose, courage, and vision.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey.

- Bryan & Linda

Leadership is the ability to inspire, guide, and empower others toward a shared vision or goal. It is not defined solely by a title or position, but by the actions, integrity, and commitment a person shows to the people and communities they serve. True leadership fosters collaboration, builds trust, and uplifts every voice along the way.

Below, you’ll find reflections from members of the New England Educational Opportunity Association (NEOA) who share what leadership means to them. Each definition captures the unique perspectives and values that shape our collective commitment to educational access and equity.

To Me, Good Leadership Means...

Our 2025-2026 Board President(s)!

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Kevin Linton of Salem State University's Student Support Services (SSS) Program has been elected as the next President-Elect for NEOA’s 2025-2026 Board Year! In the photo, you’ll see Arielle Derival, our current President-Elect, alongside Yara Zoccarato, our current NEOA President. As of September 1, 2025, this incredible team, Arielle as President and Kevin as President-Elect, will be leading NEOA into an exciting new chapter as Yara begins her Past President Year!

Fair Share Recap

A BIG thank you to everyone who participated in the annual Fairshare Football at the NEOA conference. This year, the football was filled with over $1000 worth of prizes, and while the ticket cost increased, that didn't keep people away, and we surpassed our goal of raising $3000 and raised $4000!! Donations to Fairshare help support the mission and vision of COE and its efforts in providing professional development, research, and advocacy in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., the Pacific Islands, and Puerto Rico. This important advocacy work could not happen without contributions to Fairshare, so thank you again to everyone who donated and continues to donate. For more information, please check out COE's website here.

Advocacy Update

We had a very successful Policy Seminar campaign last month. To keep up the momentum, please urge your Members of Congress to sign on to the Dear Colleague letter currently circulating in the House of Representatives to support “robust funding” for TRIO in FY26!

This action is important to take right away as there is a limited window of time to sign onto the letter, and we want to show a strong and united NEOA commitment to TRIO funding for the coming year.

This impacts everything from potential future grant funding to student services we are able to provide.

Here is a link to the Dear Colleague letter!

There are templates available here for drafting an email to the House member:

https://www.congressweb.com/CFOE/15/ .

Thank you for your continued and engaged advocacy efforts!

NEOA State Initiatives Update:

We’ve made several NEOA State Initiative grants this year, most recently to Vermont and New Hampshire for successful advocacy-related state activities. Funds are available for activities that increase the visibility of and support for TRIO in each New England state.

We encourage all other State Initiative proposals to submit before the end of the NEOA year in August 2025. Materials are available on the NEOA website.

Our Next NEOA President!

I’m Arielle Derival and I will be serving as the President of NEOA starting in September. I am honored and excited to be serving our membership in this capacity and can’t wait to see what we accomplish together as a team. As I mentioned during our NEOA conference in RI, I would love to engage new members on our NEOA board and on our committees. It is time to bring in new voices, ideas, and perspectives, while helping frame the next generation of NEOA leaders. If you are interested in learning more about our committees and what it takes to serve, please click this link: Board of Directors Job Descriptions and/or reach out to me via email at aderival@bu.edu.

Advice/Tips Received from NEOA Past Presidents

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, lean on those around you for support, feedback, etc. You don’t have to do the work alone.
Know how to delegate and give clear assignments.
Include different voices at the table, it is a great way to keep people engaged and give value to the leadership that they provide
Be mindful of your actions, how you treat people, and how you make them feel
Create a culture of belonging by being collaborative, embracing differences and expressing gratitude
Get to know your members as much as possible, spend time building genuine relationships.

How I Got Into Leadership:

As a young girl, I was always a busy bee. I wanted to be part of all of the extracurricular activities and after-school programs. From being a member of my church choir, being part of the mock trial team, to being an Upward Bound student and spending my Saturdays on Florida International University’s campus doing SAT and ACT prep, I was focused on bettering myself and building my resume. As early as elementary school, I remember thinking heavily about my future and who I wanted to become. From that point on, I surrounded myself with teachers, mentors, and adults who could become my role models and help me pursue my dreams. Through internships and summer programs, I met people who pushed me to challenge myself and think critically about the role I wanted to play in the world. I learned that there is always room for growth and that everyone is a leader in their way. The path to leadership is not linear. Leadership is complex, multifaceted, and requires dedication and effort. Every day, I learn something new, whether it be a skill, resource, or something about myself, and I will continue to use that knowledge to support the next generation of leaders coming behind me.

Highlights From the Annual Conference

Keynote Address by

Dr. Deloris Grant

In her keynote address, Dr. Deloris Grant spoke passionately about the transformative power of language and the arts in education, drawing from her own experiences growing up in Central Falls, Rhode Island.

She highlighted her innovative teaching methods and the vibrant theater program she created, which has empowered students and local artists alike through exposure to classic and contemporary works. Dr. Grant celebrated the achievements of her students in national competitions and reflected on her broader impact, including numerous awards and her national leadership with the John Lewis Book Club Matters. Her address underscored her lifelong commitment to inspiring and nurturing young minds, a dedication recognized by her selection as the 2024 District Teacher of the Year.

Meet This Year's NEOA Award Recipients!

Marian Belgrave Howard Award Recipient

Craig’s journey with educational opportunity began in 1978 through Upward Bound, leading to over 20 years as Associate Director of UNH SSS and contributions to all three original TRIO programs. He helped create the NEOA Leadership Institute, later AMLI, and received the 2000 NEOA President’s Award for his role in establishing MLK Day in New Hampshire. After retiring from SSS in 2006, he toured internationally as a Juno Award-winning musician while staying active in TRIO.

As AMLI Director since 2014, he also became a chaplain and brain-injury field professional. Now retiring from AMLI, Craig is honored to receive the 2025 Marian Belgrave-Howard Award for his lifelong commitment to educational justice.

Claiborne Pell

Award Recipient

James T. Brett is the President and CEO of The New England Council, leading its transformation into the region’s premier business advocacy group. A former Massachusetts State Representative, he chaired key legislative committees and championed economic growth.

A lifelong advocate for people with disabilities, he has served under multiple presidents, currently chairing the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. His efforts led to the passage of the ABLE Act, creating savings plans for individuals with disabilities.

Shirley Chisholm Award Recipient

U.S. Senator from Rhode Island is a strong advocate for progressive values and bipartisan solutions. He champions Social Security, Medicare, & affordable healthcare while leading efforts on clean energy and climate action. Committed to democracy, he fights to eliminate dark money from elections.

Whitehouse has played a key role in rebuilding infrastructure, justice reform, & protecting Americans from toxic chemicals. He also authored a major bipartisan law addressing the opioid crisis. Previously Rhode Island’s U.S. Attorney and Attorney General, he now serves on the Environment & Public Works, Finance, Judiciary, and Budget Committees.

Leadership in Motion: Celebrating Promotions

We are proud to announce that Bryan Landgren has been promoted to Program Director for the McNair Scholars Program as of March 2025! Bryan’s path to leadership reflects true dedication to TRIO’s mission and the power of steady, purposeful growth. After spending a year with Upward Bound, Bryan joined the McNair Scholars Program, where he has served for the past three years! First, he served as the Academic & Recruitment Advisor, then as the Student Success Advisor, and later as the Assistant Director of Educational Equity and the McNair Scholars Program.

Reflecting on the transition into his new role, Bryan shares that stepping into leadership has been both humbling and invigorating. "There’s an incredible responsibility that comes with leading a program like McNair — one that has opened so many doors for scholars across generations. I’m honored to continue that legacy."

For NEOA members aspiring to leadership positions, Bryan’s advice is simple but powerful: "Stay grounded in your 'why.' Every opportunity to grow, even if it feels challenging, prepares you to lead with authenticity. Trust the process, seek out mentors, and remember that leadership is about service first."

Congratulations, Bryan!

After 24 years of dedicated service, Ginny was recently promoted to Director of two Upward Bound grants.

She began her TRIO journey as an Academic Counselor and steadily advanced through the roles of Assistant Director and then Associate Director, a position she held for about a decade.

Her transition into the Director role was thoughtfully planned, with a six-month overlap with her predecessor, Bridget Mullen, during which they swapped titles. This period of mentorship and knowledge-sharing was instrumental in ensuring a smooth handoff.

Although stepping into leadership during a time of uncertainty has brought challenges, Ginny credits a seamless transition to her hardworking, mission-driven team.

For NEOA members aspiring to leadership, Ginny encourages getting involved in your state association or NEOA committees, finding a mentor, and embracing new challenges—even the ones that feel daunting at first.

Congratulations, Ginny!

Ashlee Fecteau, Assistant Director of Johnson Scholars (SSS) at the University of Maine at Farmington since January 2022, is being promoted to Director of Johnson Scholars (SSS), beginning June 9th. Ashlee's introduction to TRIO began as a student employee for the Liberal Studies Bridge (SSS) program at UMF from 2008-2012.

During the summer of 2012, she worked as a Guide for the Upward Bound program at the University of Southern Maine. Both of these job opportunities contributed to her interest in and passion for supporting first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities, and her goal to return to TRIO in a professional role.

Congratulations, Ashley!

Our Future Leaders

Humans of Honors: Lisbeth Martinez

Lisbeth Martinez, a proud first-generation college student, McNair Scholar, and the inaugural Alumni Representative for the Massachusetts Educational Opportunity Association (MEOA), shares her inspiring journey of embracing identity, navigating academia, and giving back to the communities that shaped her. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, purpose, and the impact of educational opportunity programs.

In today’s ever-changing world, finding motivation can be challenging. That’s why, CAEOP asked their students to share their thoughts on what TRIO means to them.

Their words are a powerful reminder of why we do this work—not just as a job, but as a calling.

TRIO is more than a program; it’s a family. We show up every day because we believe in the impact we make. Take a moment to hear from our students and be reminded of the heart behind our mission.

Watch their reflections below! Thank you for all that you do, and thank you to CAEOP for sharing this video with our community.

So... What Do You Think?

Have questions, comments, concerns, or ideas for the newsletter? Is there something you'd love to see featured? We want to hear from YOU! Feel free to reach out and share your input.

NEOA Public Relations Co-Chair Bryan - blandgren@suffolk.edu

NEOA Public Relations Co-Chair Linda - shilcorm88@gmail.com