Student SUpport Services Program Staff

Gregory Roberts, Ph.D. - TRIO Programs Director

620-227-9325 * groberts@dc3.edu                                                                                               Secure file drop: https://liquidfiles.dc3.edu/filedrop/groberts 

Dr. Gregory Roberts, the new TRIO director since August 2019, has been advising and mentoring, almost out of necessity, for a long time. It’s basically a role he’s played since he was young.

Roberts was the oldest child in a family of eight, living between the Watts and Compton neighborhoods of south Los Angeles County in August of 1965, and was a first-hand witness to the six deadly days of Watts riots: 34 deaths, more than 1,000 serious injuries, and over $40 million in property damage as buildings were burned and businesses looted – quite an experience for a twelve-year-old. “Mom moved us from there and we stayed away until it was all over,” he said. His mom took the family temporarily to Shreveport, Louisiana, but returned to Watts soon after the smoke cleared.

The riots may have ended but Roberts said the area was as harsh as its reputation made it out to be. “It was rough,” he said. “As the oldest in my family, I focused on leading my siblings away from that culture. I was fortunate enough to have a large group of siblings that we probably looked like a gang. It might have helped keep a lot of people away from us,” he laughed.

He graduated from Compton High School. He said as the oldest the other kids looked to his for guidance, and he served as his mother’s right-hand-man. “I’ve always had the role of supporting and encouraging others,” he said. It was natural then, for him, to study sociology and guidance counseling in college in order to fine tune his skills. His undergraduate degree is in sociology He earned his doctorate in Sustainability Education from Prescott College. 

While working in TRIO at the University of Utah, he also worked with youth in the juvenile correction system. “I wanted to keep my hands in the community.”

He has worked in TRIO leadership at three different institutions. Prior to his Student Support Services roles, Roberts spent three years evaluating the physical and intellectual capacity of injured soldiers returning from overseas service.

Roberts said much of his free time is spent staying abreast of his field. He said along with the advising and guidance counseling, professional development is important to him. He has been very active in state and regional TRIO committees. Roberts was raised by a single mother and said the experience of growing up on social services motivates him to help underrepresented student populations. He feels that education is the great equalizer to raise oneself out of poverty. “My passion is to serve low-income students,” he said. “This position allows me to take a personal interest in students so they feel that sense of belonging and make it all the way to graduation.”