Past Presidents
1972-1973
Samuel F. Hart, Sr.
Samuel F. Hart, Sr., was elected as the first president of the Association. At the time of his service, the state budget was $900, and the dues were $10 per year. Presently, he serves as the Executive Director of the Middle Georgia Center for Academic Excellence, Inc. The Center operates two Educational Talent Search Programs and an Upward Bound Program. These programs identify and assist individuals who have the potential to succeed in college or technical school but may be disadvantaged due to being potential first-generation college students, being low-income, or living in a community with educational needs. He is a former President of the Council for Opportunity in Education.
1973-1980
- Larry Sargent
- Benjamin Groomes
- Aubrey Johnson
- Billy Watts Sulaimann
- James Barker
1980 – 1981
Marshall Troup
Mr. Troup helped to establish our Association’s first Awards Committee in 1989.
1981 – 1984
Earnestine Bell
Past President Earnestine Belle served as Director of the Paine College TRIO Upward Bound program for 40 years. While employed at Paine, Mrs. Bell personally touched the lives of more than 10,000 local high school and Paine College students through the programs under her direction. She held several positions, including president (1981-1984), vice president, treasurer, financial chair, and nominating chair of the Georgia TRIO; treasurer, conference chair, and financial chair of the Southeastern Association of Education Opportunity Programs Personnel (SAEOPP); and finance committee chair and regional representative to the Council on Education.
1984 – 1985
Willie Mae Robinson
1985 – 1987
Dr. Randy Gunter
Past President Dr. Randy Gunter served as president from 1985 to 1987. Dr. Gunter has provided leadership, educational excellence, determination, equity, and a commitment to academic quality throughout his service to GA TRIO, SAEOPP, and COE. From 1980 to 2003, Dr. Gunter held several administrative positions at Georgia Southern University, including Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Director of Educational Opportunity Programs, and Director of Upward Bound. He is an Upward Bound Alumnus of Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. In 1990, an endowed scholarship, the Randolph Scott Gunter/TRIO Scholarship, was established by former Upward Bound participants at Georgia Southern University to acknowledge his work. In 1990, former Upward Bound participants at Georgia Southern University established the Randolph Scott Gunter/TRIO Scholarship, an endowed scholarship, to recognize his contributions.
Bobby Olive, Sr.
Mr. Olive began his tenure with Atlanta Junior College in its inaugural year, 1974. He retired from Atlanta Metropolitan College in 2010 after 36 years of service, first as Athletic Director and then as Vice President of Student Affairs.
Doretha Tyson
Mrs. Tyson began her career with the TRIO Talent Search Programs at Savannah State College (now Savannah State University). She eventually became the Executive Director of the Educational Talent Search Program and was elected President of the Southeastern Association of Education Opportunity Programs Personnel (SAEOPP). She developed a style of living focused on giving, helping, and sharing. Her numerous accomplishments and achievements stem from her love for children.
1991 – 1993
Willetta Phillips
- John Spencer
Dr. Rubye J. Byrd
Dr. Rubye J. Byrd served as Executive Director of Federal TRIO programs at Morehouse College. We are grateful for her 45 years of service to the TRIO community.
Camille S. Zeigler
Ms. Zeigler was the first non-director to serve as Association president. Under her tenure, the Annual Spring Conference with South Carolina was expanded to the TRI-STATE Conference, which now included Florida. Additionally, she had the vision to bring High Q and McNair/SSS Debate student competitions to the TRIO community. Ms. Zeigler is a recipient of the Walter O. Mason, Jr. Award from COE for outstanding contributions to educational opportunity programs and their unwavering commitment to advancing access for low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities. Additionally, Ms. Zeigler is a past president of the SAEOPP Board.
Robert Reese
During Robert Reese's tenure as GA TRIO President, we hosted the inaugural Student Leadership Conference, and the finance manual was completed. Mr. Reese was Associate Dean for eight TRIO programs at Minneapolis Community and Technical College; Director of the Student Support Services Program at Georgia State University, Atlanta, Ga.; Assistant Director and Curriculum Specialist for the Upward Bound Program at Atlanta Metropolitan College, Atlanta, Ga.; Director of the Upward Bound Program at the University of Georgia, Athens, Ga; Coordinator of the Student Support Services Program at Morehouse College, Director of Upward Bound at the University of South Carolina, and starting his professional career as the Talent Search Advisor at the University of South Carolina – where he was a former TRIO participant. Mr. Reese is the first TRIO alumnus to serve as Association president.
2003 – 2005
Dr. Brencleveton Truss
Dr. Brencleveton Truss served as president of GASPP from 2003 to 2005. Previously, he chaired the GASPP Student Leadership Conference (2003), served as Vice President of GASPP (2002), chaired the GASPP Spring Conference (2002), and was a Member-At-Large (2000–2002). Additionally, he chaired the GASPP Fall Conference (2000). Additionally, he served as Director of Federal TRIO Programs, Student Retention, and Academic Support at Andrew College, where he developed Pre-College and Summer Bridge Programs that positively impacted student retention and graduation rates at each institution.
2005
Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes
Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes served for over 13 years in TRIO programs at Morehouse College. She currently serves as President of The City University of New York. Additionally, she is a former president of the SAEOPP Board.
2005 – 2007
Dr. Michael Maxwell
During his presidency, a certificate of deposit was opened. Dr. Maxwell is a former president of the SAEOPP Board.
2007 – 2009
Sue Hawks-Foster
2009 – 2013
Dr. Sherontae Maxwell
During her tenure, Dr. Sherontae Maxwell worked to increase the accountability of all TRIO Programs in Georgia, built stronger relationships with US Congressmen and US senators by providing them with data that supports the success of our programs, developed a 5-year strategic plan to have a road map for future success, and established a mentoring program for new TRIO professionals. Additionally, Georgia TRIO Day was established. Dr. Maxwell is also a past president of SAEOPP.
2013 – 2017
William Troy Curry
Past President William Troy Curry served as president of Georgia TRIO from 2013 to 2017. From Grants Writer to Executive Director of the Federal TRIO Programs at Atlanta Metropolitan State College, Mr. Curry is highly regarded as a leader and educator with a passion for servant leadership.
2017 – 2019
Holly Lawrence
During her presidency, the Emerging Leaders Institute was revamped and expanded to a year-long program, and professional scholarships were also established for GASPP members. Ms. Lawrence is currently the president of SAEOPP.
2019 – 2023
Sonia Davis
Ms. Davis guided our Association through the COVID-19 global pandemic. She is an alumnus of the UGA Upward Bound Program that she currently oversees. She has worked with TRIO programs for several years and enjoys seeing the impact the program has on the lives of her students and their families.
