Your Guide to Updates, Advocacy, and Community | | Volume 2 | Edition 2 | 10.28.2025 | |
"The Navigator" At A Glance
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- The Jerry Ellis Professional Development Fund (JEPD)
- The NEOA Advocacy Corner
- State Initiatives Grant
- Shining a Spotlight on MEOA
- Interested in Supporting TRIO Day?
- Upcoming Events
- Corporate Sponsors Needed
- Fair Share? Membership Dues? Oh My!
- NEOA Community Job Board
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Welcome to the October 2025 Navigator, NEOA Community!
As the leaves turn and fall settles over our campuses and communities, we’re excited to bring you the October edition of The Navigator! This month, we celebrate the spirit of connection, growth, and learning that keeps our network vibrant. Inside, you’ll find updates, opportunities, and stories that highlight the incredible work happening across our educational community.
We hope this edition inspires you, sparks new ideas, and reminds you of the shared mission that unites us all. Thank you for being part of this journey as we navigate the path toward equity, excellence, and impact in education together.
Warm Regards - Bryan & Linda
| | | | The Jerry Ellis Professional Development Fund: Now Accepting Applications! | | |
The Jerry Ellis Professional Development Fund supports NEOA members working in TRIO or Educational Opportunity Programs who need financial assistance for professional development. Applicants should have at least 6 months of experience in their role and demonstrate that their program cannot cover the training costs. Opportunities include conferences, workshops, and skill-building programs that enhance service to students.
| | Students participate in SUNY Adirondack’s 2025 Upward Bound summer program. | | |
Inside Higher Ed Article -
TRIO Programs Under Threat:
Over 120 Sites Closed
Inside Higher Ed reports that more than 120 federally funded TRIO programs have been eliminated as part of the Trump administration’s latest DEI rollback—leaving over 43,000 students without access to critical college-access and success services. The closures disproportionately affect low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students at a pivotal moment in the admissions cycle.
| | | Have You Heard of the State Initiative Grant? | | |
Apply for an NEOA State Initiative Grant to fund a local advocacy activity this fall/winter!
NEOA funds are available to support legislative meetings, staff and student “days on the hill”, alumni events, and more to support heightened awareness of TRIO and GEAR-UP, and strengthen support for the programs in our New England states.
Applications and more information is available on the NEOA website at: https://www.neoaonline.org/advocacy-state-initiatives
The application is short and simple, and funds can be awarded per initiative up to $500 (or more, depending upon the activity). These funds can also be matched by COE’s Spraggins funds, if needed, through a separate application.
NEOA State Initiative grants are awarded on a rolling basis and are open now. There is no better time than now to engage with state advocacy efforts!
Feel free to e-mail your Advocacy Co-Chairs for any questions:
| | Shining a Spotlight on MEOA | | At the 41st Annual MEOA Conference, we spotlighted individuals whose leadership, dedication, and service advance educational opportunity for all. From scholarships supporting student achievement to prestigious awards honoring community and professional impact, MEOA’s recognitions celebrate the people who make a difference in TRIO programs and beyond. This is our chance to honor excellence, inspire others, and highlight the transformative work happening across the MEOA community. | | |
Established to honor unwavering dedication to MEOA’s mission, the Joan Becker Award celebrates individuals whose leadership and service reflect the pioneering spirit of MEOA’s first president.
This year, we are proud to present the second annual award to Michael Dennehy and Bryan Landgren, recognizing their outstanding contributions to educational equity and community impact.
The President’s Award honors a visionary leader whose dedication and impact uplift the TRIO community and beyond. This year, we are proud to recognize Dr. Martine L. François for her inspiring leadership and unwavering commitment to expanding educational opportunities for all students.
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We are excited to congratulate our scholarship recipients for their dedication and achievements:
- Lia Gomez (Visions Program, Mount Wachusett Community College)
- Claudean Hawthorne (Upward Bound, Suffolk University)
- Ruth Rodriguez Guerra (GEAR UP, Boston University)
- Kristie Eaton (Pathways to Academic and Career Excellence, Northern Essex Community College).
MEOA recognizes the hard work and commitment to education and how they inspire us all!
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Submit Your Session for TRIO Day 2026!
NEOA is accepting workshop & breakout proposals for TRIO Day, Feb 19–20, 2026, at the Sheraton Framingham.
Theme: College & Career Excellence: Resources for Access, Readiness, and Success
We’re looking for interactive sessions on:
- College access & success
- Career readiness & internships
- Student empowerment & leadership
- Campus/community resources
Deadline: Nov 3, 2025 | Submit: triodayneoa@gmail.com
Interested in helping out with this year's TRIO Day?
Contact naomi.brown-jones@umb.edu to help!
Shape a conference that inspires TRIO students to thrive!
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Nov. 6-7, 2025: NEOA Board Meeting in Tewksbury, MA
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Nov. 13, 2025: Designing a Winning Conference Workshop (Virtual NEOA Event)
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Nov. 14, 2025: NHEOA Fall Gathering in New Hampshire
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Nov. 21, 2025: Upward Bound Summit Pt 1 - (Virtual NEOA Event)
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TBD Winter: Upward Bound Summit Pt 2 - (In-Person at UNH)
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Jan. 7-9, 2026: ME State Conference
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Jan. 8-9, 2026: NEOA Board Meeting VIRTUAL
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Feb. 19-20, 2026: TRIO Day in Framingham, MA
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Mar. 4, 2026: TRIO & GEAR UP Advocacy Day in Augusta, Maine
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Mar. 8-11, 2026: COE Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C.
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Apr. 7, 2026: NEOA Board Meeting in Groton, CT
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Apr. 8-10, 2026: NEOA Annual Conference in Groton, CT
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Jun. 4-5, 2026: NEOA Board Meeting in Warwick, RI
Please Note: The NEOA Board meetings are open to all NEOA members. It is a fantastic way to see the work that is being done and consider your future involvement with us. We welcome your comments, feedback, and participation. Interested in attending a meeting? Please contact Arielle Derival at aderival@bu.edu.
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Committee Meetings:
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Technology Committee - October 22nd at 2:00 PM EST
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Finance Committee - October 31st at 11:00 AM EST
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Public Relations Committee - Bi-Weekly Tuesday(s) at 2:00 PM EST
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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee - October 30th at 9:00 AM EST
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TRIO Day Committee - November 5th at 2:00 PM EST
Interested in joining a Committee? Reach out to your interested committee chair(s) for more information! https://www.neoaonline.org/current-board-members
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Attention TRIO Nation!
The TRIO Training Center is offering FREE Self-Paced Online Trainings for the 2025–2026 season! While the U.S. Department of Education reassesses funding for priority TRIO Training, we’re making all content accessible online — no in-person or live webinars this year.
Now Open for Registration:
- Impact Metrics & Storytelling
- Smart Budgeting & Compliance
- Retention Boosters & Tech Tools
- Financial Literacy Savvy
- Reaching Every Student
- Leadership Toolkit
Participants receive 90-day access to each selected module. The first wave of access begins early December for those registered by December 1, 2025; weekly access continues through April.
Questions? Email trio-training@uco.edu
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NEOA Presents:
Designing a Winning Conference Workshop
NOVEMBER 13 3-4:30 pm VIRTUAL
FREE FOR PAID MEMBERS,
$25 non-members
Join Elyse Pratt-Ronco and Naomi Brown Jones for a dynamic, interactive conversation designed to get your proposal juices flowing! Explore ways to generate proposal ideas, how to write a successful proposal, and effective presentation strategies, all in time for the NEOA 50th Annual Conference RFP release.
Whether you're looking to scale a presentation to the next level (COE Conference?) or present at your state conference, this workshop is designed to support your presenter goals.
Become a paid member to register for free, non-members are $25.
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The COE Institute for Access & Success Professionals
November 17-18, 2025, at Tufts University
The COE Institute is a dynamic two-day professional development event designed to empower college access and success professionals with the latest strategies, tools, and insights to drive student achievement. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned practitioner, this in-person experience delivers practical, high-impact learning opportunities in a cost-effective format. Participants will engage in interactive workshops, expert panels, and collaborative sessions focused on key topics such as:
- Designing academic and career pathways
- Navigating financial aid and scholarship opportunities
- Implementing innovative advising practices
- Supporting pre-college students through the application process
- Leveraging artificial intelligence to improve student outcomes
Join a network of peers and thought leaders to gain actionable takeaways and fresh perspectives that can be immediately applied to your work in advancing educational equity and student success. Three meals are included with registration. If you have any questions, please contact Woodrow Lewis Jr. (Woodrow.lewis@coenet.org) or Julie Lim (Julie.Lim@coenet.org).
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| | Corporate Development Needs Sponsors! | | |
NEOA is turning 50 this year and would love for you to help us reach more sponsors.
New this year, we will have a Sponsor Table at the Awards Dinner. A table is reserved for $4000 for a table of 8. So please spread the word far and wide! Share the attached flyers to your networks.
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Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) is seeking dedicated professionals to join our team and contribute to student success in a supportive and dynamic environment. Information provided by Ramon Gonzalez.
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CT State Community College is seeking a Director of TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) who oversees and ensures compliance, leadership, and effective delivery of all federally funded SSS program services, while supporting the academic success, retention, and graduation of first-generation, low-income, and disabled students, and managing staff, grant reporting, and program evaluation—information provided by Angelo Simoni Jr.
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Worcester State University is looking for a Student Support Services (SSS) Coordinator/Advisor who will work with the Director of TRIO SSS to develop, plan, and implement support services that result in increased academic performance, retention, and graduation rates of program participants. The coordinator will oversee the day-to-day operations of the program and the identification and selection of eligible students who have been accepted and/or enrolled. Please take a look at the job posting here or reach out to Laxmi Bissoondial.
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Worcester State University is looking for a Director of TRIO Student Support Services Program is responsible for critical program and grant management functions, including selection of program participants, orientation and assessments, reports, service delivery, fiscal management/budget monitoring, oversight of student eligibility and service data. Please find the job posting here or reach out to Laxmi Bissoondial.
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Fair Share:
Support the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) by making a Personal Contribution! Don't know what Fair Share is? Watch this informational video here.
When you donate, you support the mission and vision of COE and its efforts in providing professional development, research, advocacy, and student opportunities for low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., the Pacific Islands, and Puerto Rico.
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Types of NEOA Membership
Professional Membership ($95) – For staff and educators working directly with TRIO and other educational opportunity programs in New England. Includes voting rights and eligibility to hold office.
Institutional Membership ($95/person) – For programs or institutions supporting NEOA’s mission. Memberships are assigned to specific staff and transferable within the institution.
Affiliate Membership ($95) – For individuals who support NEOA’s goals but prefer a non-voting role.
State Affiliate ($500/state) – For New England’s six state associations (MA, RI, CT, ME, NH, VT), each represented by their president on the NEOA Board.
Please note that NEOA membership runs from September 1 of any given year to August 31 of the following year. Your membership begins when you pay your membership fee, and your membership expires on August 31.
| | So... What Do You Think? Is There Something/Someone You Want to Highlight? | | |
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. Interested in joining the Public Relations Committee for the 2025-2026 Board Year? We would love to have you!
NEOA Public Relations Co-Chair Bryan - blandgren@suffolk.edu
NEOA Public Relations Co-Chair Linda - shilcorm88@gmail.com
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| How Did You Like This Edition of the NEOA Navigator? | | |
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