Board of Directors

Vice President

N. Latrice Dunbar

University of North Georgia

Dr. N. Latrice Dunbar is an accomplished educator and administrator from Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina with over 15 years of experience in higher education. As a military dependent, she has had the unique opportunity to experience diverse educational environments, attending secondary schools in both Georgia and Germany. This multicultural exposure shaped her worldview and fueled her passion for understanding social dynamics.

Dr. Dunbar's passion for understanding the social world led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Sociology from Clark Atlanta University, which she completed in 2009. This academic foundation paved the way for her role as the Assistant Director of Graduate Studies at Clark Atlanta University. Encouraged by a mentor, she continued her educational journey, earning a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from the same institution in 2014.

Her career in higher education began as a work-study student in the Office of Student Financial Aid at Georgia Southern. Shortly after completing her graduate education, Dr. Dunbar began teaching sociology at Kennesaw State University and Atlanta Technical College. In 2011, she joined the TRIO program at Atlanta Metropolitan State College, where she served the Thomaston Upward Bound Math Science program until 2016.

In pursuit of greater challenges, Dr. Dunbar relocated to San Francisco, California, to become the Director of Pre-College Access Programs, overseeing three TRIO programs. Despite her success in California, her roots in Georgia called her back. In late 2017, she returned to the Peach State to lead the University of North Georgia’s inaugural Upward Bound programs, serving students at Johnson and Gilmer High Schools. Under her leadership, UNG was awarded a Talent Search grant in 2021, further enhancing her impact on student success.

Dr. Dunbar’s commitment to the TRIO community extends beyond her directorial roles; she began serving on Georgia TRIO’s executive board in 2021 as Assistant Treasurer and was elevated to Vice President in 2023. Her leadership and vision continue to inspire students and colleagues alike, making her a prominent figure in the field of educational access and equity.

Outside of her professional commitments, Dr. Dunbar shares a lively life with her husband, fellow educator Herbert Dunbar. The couple loves to fill their days with laughter and adventure, spending quality time with family and friends. Whether hosting game nights, exploring local spots, or diving into community events, they thrive on creating memorable experiences together!

Assistant Treasurer

Samantha Class

Berry College

Samantha Class began her journey with TRIO in 2018 through the Educational Opportunity Center at Colorado State University – Pueblo. As a first-generation student herself, she quickly developed a passion for the work TRIO does. She has also worked as an Upward Bound Counselor with the University of North Georgia and currently serves as the Director of Student Support Services at Berry College, where she oversees the programming toward student success and retention of 140 students.

Samantha actively engages at the state level as well, having served as a Member-at-Large for the Georgia Association for Special Program Personnel (GASPP) in 2022 and progressing to her current role as Secretary. She is also a proud participant in the 2024-2025 cohort of the Georgia Emerging Leaders Program, furthering her commitment to professional development and leadership within TRIO.

Samantha holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida and a master’s in higher education administration from Georgia Southern University. As a dedicated advocate for educational equity, she is committed to supporting underrepresented students on their academic journeys.

Parliamentarian

Ralph Coates

Morehouse College

Ralph Coates is a nationally respected senior education administrator and executive leader with more than 25 years of leadership in Federal TRIO Programs and over 22 years as a professional educator. An Upward Bound alumnus, Mr. Coates’s career reflects a sustained commitment to expanding educational access, strengthening institutional and organizational capacity, and cultivating mentorship-driven pathways that support student success for historically underserved populations.

Beginning his professional journey in New York, Mr. Coates has guided and supported thousands of students across secondary and postsecondary systems, with a strong emphasis on mentorship, academic readiness, leadership development, college access, and degree completion. His work is distinguished by an executive approach that aligns student-centered programming with organizational effectiveness, accountability, and long-term sustainability.

Mr. Coates earned a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management from Nyack College in Rockland County, New York, and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Public Administration from Marist College.

Currently, Mr. Coates serves as Assistant Director of Federal TRIO Programs at Morehouse College, where he provides executive oversight over the largest HBCU TRIO grant portfolio in the country. He oversees twelve federally funded TRIO programs, including five Upward Bound programs, three Upward Bound Math and Science programs, one Student Support Services–STEM program, two Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement programs, and one Educational Talent Search program.

In this role, Mr. Coates oversees strategic planning, fiscal stewardship, performance management, and staff supervision, while managing program finances and supervising comprehensive program evaluation efforts. He provides direct and indirect leadership for nearly 100 personnel, including 18 full-time professional staff and more than 80 part-time employees, ensuring consistent execution, accountability, and operational alignment across all programs.

Under Mr. Coates’s leadership, the institution has expanded its grant portfolio beyond TRIO, including a federal HUD grant focused on financial literacy and economic empowerment and the Georgia BOOST grant, a state-funded initiative supporting academic enrichment and out-of-school programming. He engages in continuous collaboration with agencies, educational institutions, foundations, and corporate partners to ensure effective implementation, sustainability, and advancement of program objectives.

In addition to his work in higher education, Mr. Coates has maintained a strong presence in church, civic, and professional service, serving on local, state, and national boards focused on youth development, education policy, leadership formation, and community advancement.

Mr. Coates brings significant experience in public service and educational governance, having served in senior elected leadership roles at both the municipal and school district levels. As a member of the City of Poughkeepsie Common Council, he contributed to citywide policy initiatives focused on neighborhood capacity-building, youth engagement, and community revitalization. He later served on the Poughkeepsie City School District Board of Education, including terms as Vice President and President, where he provided governance-level leadership, policy direction, and institutional oversight during periods of organizational transition and reform.

Across every role, Mr. Coates is guided by a clear executive mission: to lead with mentorship, strengthen systems, and ensure institutions deliver measurable, lasting impact for students and communities.

Member At Large

Victoria Johnson Burton

Morehouse College

Victoria Burton is a passionate advocate for education, community empowerment, and health equity. As a proud alumna of Spelman College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and Georgia State University, where she completed a Master’s in Biology with a concentration in Medical Sciences, Victoria has consistently demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and service.

Currently serving as a TRIO Program Manager at Morehouse College, Victoria leads initiatives that support first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students through academic enrichment, college access, and STEM programming. An alumna of TRIO programs herself, she brings firsthand experience to her leadership, championing equity in education through culturally responsive mentorship and evidence-based programming.

Victoria’s dedication extends beyond the classroom. She is an active volunteer at North Clayton Middle School, a leader in the Georgia TRIO community, and a committed servant in her church’s medical ministry. Her work centers on advocacy, youth empowerment, and public health, with a special interest in suicide prevention among African American males and maternal health disparities in underserved communities.

With aspirations of becoming an OB/GYN, Victoria is preparing to apply to medical school, where she aims to continue bridging the gap between science, service, and social justice.