Speakers & Workshops

As the only crowdfunding platform in the country that sends money raised specifically for tuition directly to schools, we will share the pain points that students and families need to know on their educational journey and how to plan to avoid the student loan debt trap.

Marc Alexander is a serial entrepreneur with over a decade of leadership experience in Corporate America. With experiences in for-profit and non-profit entities, Marc is able to develop innovative solutions that provides support for the greater social good. Marc continues to inspire other through his work in various communities as well as through his book “Dreaming of Success.”“I am a Husband, an Author, a Social Entrepreneur, a Motivational Speaker and many more! My Personal Mission Statement is To Love, Lead And Live A Successful Life in Every Aspect And To Help Those That I Encounter To Do The Same."

Odell Bizzell is an inspirational storyteller, author of 8 books, and dynamic keynote speaker. He’s been featured in the USA Today, Yahoo Finance, CNBC.com, and multiple media outlets about his expertise. He’s given over 300 live presentations in his career, has served the US Military, and hundreds of TRIO organizations nationwide. Odell’s expertise in communication and success has been featured on some of the same stages as celebrities such as ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Emmy Award winning recording artist John Legend, David Letterman, and Oprah Winfrey.

This highly interactive workshop will give solid resources to TRIO professionals to assist them in supporting students to complete strong personal statements for scholarships, internships, graduate school, etc. Anyone can do this, even the "writing averse"! Participants will leave with worksheets to use with their own program participants of any age.

I grew up all over, as I was an Air Force brat. Some places I lived: Kansas, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, and Turkey. I was a first gen, low income, nontraditional student and earned these degrees from U.P. colleges close to home: A.A. from Bay College; B.S. from Northern Michigan University (Writing); M.F.A. from Northern Michigan University (Writing). I’ve taught English classes at NMU for six years and worked as the Academic Coordinator in Student Support Services for four years before becoming the Director. I love working with students to help them to identify what they want to do as a career, and that begins with the class selection and figuring out their major. And a whole bunch of other stuff!

Our session will provide an in depth learning opportunity for educators on planning travel for their students. Our best practices workshop is meant to educate and elevate your travel planning options and problem solving. Our session will be a gateway to help get students out into the world.

Scott Clark is an innovative travel guru who is leading the charge in student travel as the Director of QuintTrips. Currently hailing from the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee, just outside Bristol, with his two dogs, he's been leading tours, managing events and traveling the world for the last seven years. Holding a degree in Automotive Engineering, he spent the previous 15 years working in NASCAR. In his down time he likes to restore cars and listen to live music.

Great leaders show up, always working to make their organizations successful. But it’s easy to feel exhausted – like your tank is empty. In this session Jessica Lundy will teach you strategies to thrive amid the chaos, and most importantly, preventative measures to live your life "on full.”

Jessica Lundy is a former award-winning TV host turned transformational speaker, life coach, and author, who has a proven record of unlocking student potential by increasing clarity and confidence, which results in better grades, higher graduation rates, and improved behavior. As a personal development coach for over a decade, she has taught students winning strategies to be successful in every area of their lives. From winning her dream job after competing with over 1200 people to be a television host in a significant market to winning her honeymoon in beautiful Cancun, Mexico; Jessica is ready to teach you how to gain more clarity, supportive relationships, achievements, overall happiness, and success.

Like it or not, the last two years have changed life as we know it forever. There’s more going on in our students’ minds than ever, but also there’s a lot going on in our minds also. This session will help TRIO professionals refocus, recalibrate, and refresh using the power of communication.

Odell Bizzell is an inspirational storyteller, author of 8 books, and dynamic keynote speaker. He’s been featured in the USA Today, Yahoo Finance, CNBC.com, and multiple media outlets about his expertise. He’s given over 300 live presentations in his career, has served the US Military, and hundreds of TRIO organizations nationwide. Odell’s expertise in communication and success has been featured on some of the same stages as celebrities such as ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Emmy Award winning recording artist John Legend, David Letterman, and Oprah Winfrey.

You work under a federal grant, but you are hosted by a college or university. You hope to never see someone from the DOE on campus, but your campus administration is present. Do you have good relationships with the president's cabinet? (You should!) Do the Deans on campus know about your program? (They should!) Have you invited the President to your events? (Do it today!) Come talk to a former TRIO professional turned Executive Assistant to the President about cultivating positive relationships with your campus leadership and make TRIO known on your campus!

Kailee Laplander currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the President and Advancement at her alma mater, Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan. Prior to her current position, Ms Laplander worked for Finlandia’s TRIO Pre-College Programs (TRIO Talent Search and TRIO Upward Bound) for more than seven years in various roles. Additionally, Ms Laplander served MI-CAPP in a variety of board roles including member of Technology committee, SLS Co-Chair, Professional Development Co-Chair, and 2020 MI-CAPP President. While Ms Laplander no longer directly works for TRIO, the mission of TRIO remains in her heart. Ms Laplander is a TRIO SSS alumna.

Woodrow Lewis Jr. is a higher education professional with over twenty years of experience. Woodrow specializes in multiple higher education disciplines, including financial aid, enrollment management, grant writing, Title IX, student conduct, and Federal TRIO programs. He currently serves as the Director of College Initiatives at the Council for Opportunity in Education and is responsible for supporting the needs of the TRIO community. As a first-generation graduate Woodrow uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to advocate for first-generation students and encourage others to pursue their dreams. Woodrow successfully defended his doctoral dissertation in Higher Education Leadership in January 2022.

Ronnell DuBose currently serves as the Director of Upward Bound Program at Purdue University Northwest. Prior to becoming the Director of Upward Bound, he served as the Assistant Director for Student Support Services for four years at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Ronnell has been connected with the Educational Opportunity Association through leadership opportunities such as the President of Indiana TRIO, EOA’s Emerging Leaders Institute, and currently serving EOA President.

Ronnell received his Master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University and his Bachelor’s degree in Management from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Higher Education from Ball State University. Ronnell is originally from Detroit, Michigan and a proud first-generation college student, who has a passion for creating opportunities for students to achieve success through education.