Board of Directors
President
Juawn Jackson
Mercer University
Dr. Juawn A. Jackson received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and a certification in Leadership from Georgia College & State University in 2016. He received his Master of Education Degree in Higher Education Leadership from Mercer University in 2018. Dr. Jackson earned his executive doctoral degree in Higher Education Management from the University of Georgia in 2023.
Dr. Jackson, a dedicated TRIO alumnus, is the Director of the Educational Opportunity Center at Mercer University, a federal TRIO program of the United States Department of Education. In this role, he passionately oversees the implementation of college, financial literacy, and career readiness programming for over 2,000 participants annually.
Dr. Jackson currently serves as president of the Georgia Association for Special Program Personnel (GASPP/Georgia TRIO), overseeing the professional development experience of college access professionals throughout the state. Previously, he served as Vice President and Member-at-Large. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Southeastern Association of Special Programs Personnel (SAEOPP), where he co-chairs the Governing Documents Committee.
Dr. Jackson is also a graduate of the Georgia Emerging Leaders Program, the SAEOPP Emerging Leaders Program, and the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) Executive Leadership Institute at Yale University.
A passionate, progressive, and visionary servant leader, Dr. Jackson strongly advocates for the downtrodden and intentionally marginalized communities.
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!
Past President
W. Troy Curry
College Bound Institute
W. Troy Curry is an accomplished businessman, grant writer, and consultant who values dedication, service, and excellence. As a former executive, Troy brings unique perspectives gained from his over 15 years of experience to your organization, empowering you to unleash the untapped potential of your staff and students. Using real-world examples, Troy sheds light on how the invaluable talent each person brings to your organization can positively impact your mission.
Troy learned the value of dedication at an early age, growing up in the heart of New York City, as the first of two children in a single-parent home. Troy’s dedication, hard work, and determination to avoid a life of poverty and mediocrity inspired him to earn a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, which led to an accomplished TRIO career. During which he has written over $60M in successfully funded TRIO grants, served as Executive Director of Atlanta Metropolitan State College’s (8) programs, and currently manages and operates 3 TRIO grants through his non-profit College Bound Institute. He has also served as the Executive Director of Atlanta’s Historic Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA and dedicated over 400 hours of community service. Troy’s career has been a model of service, recognized with awards and decorations on the state (Georgia TRIO), regional (SAEOPP), and national (COE) levels.
Troy credits his success in business to his belief that excellence is a journey, not simply a destination. This perspective inspired him to teach, develop, inspire, and serve hundreds of thousands of students through his company, STEM WARS, and its related events. He also owns University Storage and Movers, co-owner of the Minority Education Initiative, and serves on the board of directors for College Bound Institute. He is affectionately known for his heavy New York accent and is respected for his dedication to his work and high-energy.
Secretary
Callie Evans
Albany State University
Callie Evans is a dedicated higher education professional, communications strategist, and passionate TRIO advocate. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from the Unsinkable Albany State University in 2011 and later completed her Master of Business Administration at Albany State University in 2015. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Business Administration at Walden University.
With a strong background in student support services and program advocacy, Mrs. Evans has served in leadership roles within TRIO, including her tenure as Director of Albany State University’s Educational Talent Search program. Her work has been rooted in ensuring access, equity, and opportunity for students while strengthening program visibility, engagement, and impact.
Mrs. Evans currently serves as Secretary of the Georgia Association for Special Program Personnel (Georgia TRIO) for the 2025–2027 term. Previously, she served as Member-at-Large, where she represented the interests of the broader membership and supported statewide engagement efforts. In her current role, she is committed to advancing the mission of TRIO through strategic communication, organizational leadership, and advocacy at both the state and regional levels.
A proud member of the 2024–2025 Georgia TRIO Emerging Leaders Institute Cohort, Mrs. Evans remains deeply committed to professional growth and leadership development and has been selected to participate in the 2025–2027 Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP) Emerging Leaders Institute. Callie is a steadfast advocate for TRIO programs and the transformative work they do to support students, families, and communities across Georgia.
Treasurer
Lastasia Ramsey
University of Georgia
Lastasia Ramsey began her career with TRIO in 2016 at the University of Georgia through the Educational Talent Search Program. She currently serves as the program manager for TRIO Student Support Services, leading a team that supports 260 students. She holds a master’s degree in higher education administration and is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at Georgia Southern University.
Lastasia also serves as the Assistant Treasurer for the Georgia Association for Special Program Personnel (GASPP/Georgia TRIO) and participates on various standing and conference committees. She is a graduate of the Georgia Emerging Leaders Program and a current 2024-2025 cohort member of the SAEOPP Emerging Leaders Program.
As a proud TRIO alumna, Lastasia strongly believes in the transformative power of education and is dedicated to the mission of TRIO programs.
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
Sandy Colwell
Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Georgia
Dr. Sandy Colwell is a retired educator with more than 32 years of experience serving as a teacher, school administrator, and district-level director. She currently serves as the Executive Director of TRIO Programs for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Georgia, where she works directly with economically disadvantaged and first-generation college-bound students. As a proud TRIO alumna of Georgia Southwestern State University, Dr. Colwell is able to continue her lifelong passion for youth development, educational equity, and access to postsecondary opportunities.
She was selected as a participant in the 2025 cohort of the Georgia Association of Special Programs Personnel (GASSP) Emerging Leaders Institute and has also been selected to participate in the 2025–2027 Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP) Emerging Leaders Institute. These experiences further strengthen her commitment to developing strong, ethical leaders who serve students and families with purpose and excellence. Dr. Colwell is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she has served in multiple leadership capacities and remains deeply committed to service and community impact.
Dr. Colwell is a servant leader committed to advancing educational equity, empowering families, and creating transformative opportunities for youth, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged or first-generation college students. Grounded in her own experience as a TRIO alumna and strengthened by decades of leadership in education, she strives to lead with integrity, compassion, and a relentless focus on student success. Her work is guided by the belief that access, advocacy, and intentional support can change lives and communities.
Member At Large
Khristopher Hobbs
Atlanta Metropolitan State College
Dr. Khristopher Hobbs currently serves as the Executive Director of Sponsored Programs and Professor of History at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. He is also the Co-Chair of AMSC's Inaugural Staff Senate, Advisor of the Fire Squad/Phi Sigma organization, and the African American Male Initiative. He is an appointed member of AMSC’s Rebranding Project, which is led by the President of AMSC and the Student Conduct Investigator of AMSC. Dr. Hobbs was the Founder, Program Administrator, and Lead Mentor for the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance’s (LOSFA) comprehensive mentoring program, Aspire to Inspire, for seven years, and managed eight districts with LOSFA and the Louisiana Board of Regents services for five years. Dr. Hobbs earned his fourth degree, a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Research with a focus on Higher Education Administration, at Louisiana State University (LSU). While at LSU, as a full-time student, Dr. Hobbs taught several doctoral-level courses and co-facilitated graduate seminars; he is also a co-founder and ongoing participant in the Louisiana Summit on African American Male Educational Success. Under the leadership of Former Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, Dr. Hobbs was appointed to the Higher Education Pathway/Workgroup of the Council of the Success of Black Men and Boys committee and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Member At Large
DESHAUN O. JAMES
Community Teen Coalition
DeShaun O. James is a dedicated educator, youth advocate, and Army veteran with more than a decade of experience developing programs that empower young people to achieve academic, professional, and personal success. Born in San Diego, California, and raised by a Marine Corps Drill Instructor, DeShaun was instilled with the values of discipline, accountability, service, and resilience from an early age. These principles continue to guide his leadership and mentorship philosophy.
Currently serving as an Associate Director with the Community Teen Coalition’s Upward Bound Math and Science TRIO Program at Griffin High School, he designs and coordinates instructional programming that supports financial literacy, college preparation, SAT/ACT readiness, social development, and entrepreneurial skills for high-school scholars. He develops academic-year and summer curricula that prepare students for postsecondary advancement while conducting needs assessments that inform individualized educational action plans and long-term career pathways.
His leadership is deeply informed by his service as a United States Army Officer, where he served as a Human Resource Supervisor and Battalion Adjutant supporting over 9000 personnel across multiple international deployments, including South Korea, Afghanistan, and humanitarian operations in Haiti. In these roles, he oversaw personnel management, large-scale administrative systems, contract oversight, and logistical operations, improving efficiency, accountability, and organizational effectiveness across multiple units.
In addition to his direct service to students, he serves as a Member at Large on the Executive Board of the Georgia Association of Special Programs Personnel (GASPP), where he assists with statewide professional development initiatives, conference planning, and training support for TRIO programs across Georgia. His career also includes leadership roles in early childhood education administration and Department of Defense youth programs, where he managed budgets, staff development, compliance, and inclusive programming for diverse youth populations.
DeShaun holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Virginia State University and has completed extensive leadership, inclusion, and youth-development training through the U.S. Army, national 4-H Military Partnerships, and Department of Defense programs. He remains committed to mentoring young people, strengthening educational systems, and building sustainable pathways that enable students to thrive across cultures, communities, and various career fields.
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.
