The NEOA Navigator

What Happens at Policy Doesn't Stay at Policy!

Volume 1 | Edition 3 | 3.28.2025

This year’s event was the biggest yet, with 1,000 attendees, including 300 registered alumni. The main ballroom was filled with energy, with students and alumni engaging with speakers through insightful questions!

NEOA had over 50 attendees representing our New England region, and our Hill visit results speak for themselves:

• We visited 82% of our legislative offices.
• 96% of legislators will support maintaining current funding for FY25.
• 93% of legislators from our region have committed to signing the TRIO Appropriations Funding letter for FY26.
• 100% of legislators understand the importance of maintaining the current grant competition timeline.
• 81% of legislators have already joined or agreed to join the TRIO Caucus.
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While our New England region has strong TRIO support, it’s crucial that we remain engaged with our Congress members in this ever-changing landscape. Consider inviting your Congressmember to visit your program—many expressed interest in seeing firsthand the impact of TRIO programs on students. Please visit our NEOA Advocacy page for further resources! 

It’s imperative that we continue to amplify the voices of our students and advocate for accessible educational opportunities for all. Stay engaged, stay informed, and join us in advocating for the future of educational opportunity!

Top 10 Experiences

1. Policy Seminar showed me the power of stories as advocacy; our alums were the real heroes on the hill! - Angie Ricciardi (Plymouth State University)
2. The best part of attending the COE Policy Seminar is the opportunity to build community with colleagues from across the country and work collectively to demonstrate the impact of TRIO programs nationwide. - Naomi Brown-Jones (UMass Boston)
3. I was truly inspired by the two UB alumni who came to tell their stories, and we also encountered two alumni (a staffer and an intern) working with our delegation, Trio alumni! - Matt Bourgault (VSAC)
4. It was incredibly inspiring to be surrounded by people who deeply care about our students and fight to continue the work we do in our communities. - Christa Grohoski (Central Maine Community College)
5. The best part of attending Policy was being surrounded by like-minded Trio professionals who understand the gravity of what’s at stake. While the cherry blossoms were not in bloom yet, I still appreciated the invigorating camaraderie every time we passed our Trio friends from across the nation, in the halls of the Capital. (I encountered Angelica (aka Jelly) from COE after she had just returned from a shopping trip with a Trio alum because the airline had lost her luggage.) - Mona Savastano (Salem State University)
6. The best part of Policy Seminar was the increased sense of purpose and confidence from being in the presence of hundreds of other professionals who believe in the power of TRIO programs. - Michele Feiner (Vermont State University)
7. The best part of attending Policy is feeling the collective energy of our TRIO nation and being reminded that the work we do every day is so very important to the students we serve. - Julie Coon (SUNY Plattsburgh Upward Bound)
8. The policy seminar was life-changing! I have never felt so seen and supported. Nor have I ever thought of my backstory as empowering and motivating as it was. Everyone was truly amazing and overall the policy seminar was excellent! - Melissa Helstein
9. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story this week—it was an honor. Reflecting on my time with you, I’m moved to tears by all I witnessed. Your work is truly inspiring and life-changing. I’m beyond grateful for your impact on my life and for students like me who once doubted college was possible. Thank you a million times over. -Erika Schofield, UNH SSS Alumna
10. As a TRIO alum, it was humbling and inspirational to walk Capitol Hill with the NEOA team during this year's Policy Seminar! - Yara Zoccarato (Western Connecticut State University)

Words of inspiration in action! Right outside AOC's office is filled with uplifting messages and encouragement, reminding us of the power of community and support.

Pictured:Milary Tavarez (RI President), Yara Zoccarato (NEOA President), Michele Feiner (VT State Liaison), and Kevin Linton (MA President)!

Congratulations to our NEOA leaders on completing the Executive Leadership Institute at COE Policy Seminar 2025! Your dedication to leadership, communication, and advocacy strengthens the future of college access for first-gen, low-income students. The future is brighter because of you!

New Hampshire, your passion and dedication at COE Policy Seminar 2025 are truly inspiring!

Thank you for showing up, speaking out, and making a difference for first-gen and low-income students. Keep leading the way!

United for Change: The NEOA Region at the Policy Seminar, advocating for educational opportunity!

NEOA members and team are geared up and ready for a day filled with advocacy, connection, and meaningful conversations! Excited to make an impact and champion educational opportunity together. Let’s do this!

NEOA alumni and board members are ready for a day of advocacy, connection, and impact! Together, we continue to champion educational opportunity and make a difference

Photos by Randy Schroeder & Mona Savastano!

T-7 Days...Get ready to be inspired, connected, and energized at this year’s NEOA Conference! 

• Check out the Tentative Conference Schedule … full program booklet coming soon!



• Join our Service Project! We’re teaming up with Books Are Wings to support childhood literacy across Rhode Island. Bring a few new or gently used children’s books to donate—no adult, religious, or damaged books, please—and help spread the joy of reading!

Keynote Spotlight: We are thrilled to welcome Deloris Davis Grant—a proud Rhode Island TRIO Upward Bound alum and celebrated teacher, writer, and theater artist—whose work has inspired generations.

Plenary Panel: Moderated by Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier, this powerful panel brings together leaders who helped shape the TRIO movement. Panelists include Dr. Ann Coles, Dr. John Groutt, Dr. Betty McCue-Herlihy, Dr. Arnold Mitchem, and Dr. Charles Desmond. Together, they'll reflect on NEOA’s impact and chart a path forward for educational opportunity.

This is just a glimpse—so much more awaits. See you soon!

#TRIOMatters: A Reminder of Our Why

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