
Virginia Association of Education Opportunity Program Personnel (VAEOPP)
Purpose & Objectives | Programs | Board Members | Committees | Documents/Resources | Photo Albums
COMING SOON!
The Virginia Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (VAEOPP) was founded in 1975. TRIO personnel in Virginia saw the need to create an alliance among all TRIO programs within the state in order to collaborate their efforts in educating Virginians, state politicians, and national politicians about the work of TRIO programs.
VAEOPP is a strong voice for TRIO students and staff in Virginia.
Purpose and Objectives
The Virginia Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel, Inc. shall provide a forum for its members to define the problems and needs of Virginia citizens who may be essentially categorized as persons with disabilities and/or persons who are educationally, culturally, and/or economically disadvantaged.
The Association shall coordinate the efforts of its membership in meeting the needs of eligible persons and shall work toward expanding and improving their educational and occupational opportunities.
The Association shall provide the mechanics for the dissemination of information that might provide a basis for the design and implementations of policy decisions.
The Association shall also plan and implement training sessions and other professional development activities for TRIO personnel.
The Corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
VAEOPP’s member institutions provide grant aid and researched based direct services to their respective program participants that effectively improve secondary school graduation rates, increase college matriculation, persistence and degree completion rates, and encourage low income, first generation, and students with documented physical or learning disabilities to pursue graduate and professional school. VAEOPP facilitates its members’ work through the provision of professional development opportunities for TRIO staff, by supporting annual and on-going advocacy initiatives, and by awarding scholarships to program participants through a competitive application process.
Our Programs

Educational Talent Search

Student Support Services
(Classic & STEM)

Upward Bound (Classic/Veterans/Math & Science)

Educational Opportunity Center
DESIGN
Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

Meet The Board Members
The VAEOPP Board consists of program personnel from across the Commonwealth volunteering as officers, program representatives, and committee chairs.
Executive Board
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President
Sylvia Anderson
Upward Bound
Virginia State University
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President-Elect
Kemper Edwards
Student Support Services
Mountain Empire Community College
Immediate Past President
Viviane Meder
Laurel Ridge Community College
Student Support Services
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Treasurer
Camille Younger
Danville Community College
Educational Opportunity Center
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Assistant Treasurer
Maria Whited
Wytheville Community College
Student Support Services
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Secretary
Rahmat Utsey
Virginia State University
Educational Opportunity Center
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Assistant Secretary
Carol Conner
Mountain Gateway Community College
Student Support Services
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Program Representatives
Educational Opportunity Center
Doreen Coleman
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McNair
Jordan Carson
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Educational Talent Search
Amie Davis
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Student Support Services
Ca'Vette Buford
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Upward Bound/UBMS/VUB
Andrew Denton
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Standing Committees
Archives
Makeda Markland (Chair)
Virginia State University
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Audit & Reconciliation
Kristy Casstevens (Chair)
Mountain Gateway Community College
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Awards and Recognitions
Connie Harris​ (Chair)
Southwest Virginia Community College
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Communications/Technology
Adam Moore (Chair)
The University of Virginia's College at Wise
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Development
Keisha Johnson & Chelsey Hess (Co-Chairs)
Southwest Virginia Community College
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Financial Affairs
Steven Sharkey-Dye ​(Chair)
Virginia Commonwealth University
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Legislative
Kristy Casstevens (Chair)
Mountain Gateway Community College
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Membership
Amie Davis (Chair)​
Community Outreach Coalition
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Nominations and Elections
Ca'Vette Buford (Chair)
Virginia State University
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Scholarship
Carol Conner (Co-Chair)
Mountain Gateway Community College
Kara Gilly (Co-Chair)
Patrick & Henry Community College
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Time and Place
Vivi Meder (Chair)
Laurel Ridge Community College
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TRIO Achiever
Carol Conner (Chair)​
Mountain Gateway Community College
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Adhoc Committees
Dr. Danielle Williams (Chair)
Norfolk State University
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New Personnel
Dr. Lorraine Justice (Chair)​
Rappahannock Community College
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2024 Conference Committee
Brandon Honaker (Chair)​
Southwest Virginia Community College
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Insurance Procurement
Brandon Honaker (Chair)​
Southwest Virginia Community College