
Virginia Association of Education Opportunity Program Personnel (VAEOPP)
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
President
Sharon Harris
Danville Community College
Educational Opportunity Center
President-Elect
Brandon Honaker
Southwest Virginia Community College
Upward Bound
Immediate Past President
Keonte Owens
Virginia State University
Educational Talent Search
Treasurer
Maria Whited
Wytheville Community College
Student Support Services
Assistant Treasurer
Jessica Ketron
Mountain Empire Community College
Educational Talent Search &
Student Support Services
Secretary
Camille Younger
Danville Community College
Educational Opportunity Center
Assistant Secretary
Kemper Edwards
Mountain Empire Community College
Student Suppor Services
Parliamentarian
Kristy Casstevens
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
Student Support Services
Program Representatives
Educational Opportunity Center
Doreen Coleman
Danville Community College
McNair
Jordan Carson
Hampton University
Educational Talent Search
Tyran Owens
Virginia State University
Student Support Services
Carol Conner
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
Upward Bound/UBMS/VUB
Sylvia Anderson
Virginia State University
Standing Committees
Archives
Kemper Edwards - Chair
Mountain Empire Community College
Audit & Reconciliation
Kristy Casstevens - Chair
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
Awards and Recognitions
Carol Conner - Chair
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
Communications/Technology
Adam Moore - Chair
UVA Wise
Development
Beth Honaker - Chair
Southwest Virginia Community College
Financial Affairs
Kitty Walls - Chair
Virginia Western Community College
Legislative
Kristy Casstevens - Chair
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
Membership
Whitney Wells - Chair
UVA Wise
Nominations and Elections
TBD
Scholarship
Carol Conner - Chair
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
Time and Place
TBD
TRIO Achiever
Shanna Francisco-King - Chair
Patrick Henry Community College
Adhoc Committees
2021 Emerging Leaders
Sharon Harris - Chair
Danville Community College
2022 Emerging Leaders
Brandon Honaker - Chair
Southwest Virginia Community College
New Personnel
Lorraine Justice - Chair
Rappahannock Community College
2022 Conference Committee
Keonte Owens - Chair
Virginia State University
2022 UB Rally Day
TBD
2022 TRiO Day
Viviane Meder - Chair
Lord Fairfax Community College