Speakers

Susan presently serves as the Director and PI of the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program) at the University at Buffalo (UB) and has held this position since August 2008.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance) from Valparaiso University; Master of Business Administration (Finance) and Master of Science in Secondary Education from Niagara University; as well as her PhD in Educational Culture, Policy, and Society from the University at Buffalo (UB) Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Ott has been a practicing and board-certified Certified Financial Planner™ for the past 34 years where she specializes in the financial planning process as it relates to college funding such as fellowships, grants, and scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students and their families. She provides this pro bono service to the TRIO community in order to help students navigate complex funding processes as they seek to secure substantial financial assistance for graduate study.

Dr. Ott is also an Assistant Professor, adjunct in UB’s Graduate School of Education where she teaches numerous undergraduate and graduate level courses. She has also worked with and served on a number of master’s thesis and Institutional Review Board (IRB) committees. Susan has served as a Priority IV Training Grant faculty member for the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE), and has served several terms on the COE board, as well as the Association for Equality and Excellence in Education, Inc. (AEEE) board. Her current initiatives include grant writing and serving the McNair Association of Professionals (MAP) as both their Treasurer and the Editor-in-Chief of the McNair National Research Journal.

Christina Parle (she/they), or CP, is an educator, thought leader, and consultant. Christina has specific experience in building effective systems, policies, and procedures, as well as curriculum writing, and leadership education. Much of her work is rooted in conflict resolution, effective communication, and building cultures that promote and embody belonging.

Christina has served in various roles over the past 10 years related to student and organizational misconduct, sororities and fraternities, and general student support. She served as the 2023-24 President of the Association for Student Conduct Administration, and most recently served as the Associate Dean of Students for Avila University. Christina received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice from the University of Central Missouri and her master’s in Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs from Penn State University. She was a McNair student at the University of Central Missouri. 

Christina lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her dog, Nugget, loves the musical Hamilton, and considers herself a tv show enthusiast.

Dr. Andre Brown serves as the Assistant Dean for Engagement in the College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University. A first-generation college graduate and former collegiate athlete, Dr. Brown brings over two decades of experience in higher education, student affairs, and community engagement. His leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to student development, inclusive excellence, and transformative learning. Originally from Philadelphia and raised in Kansas City, Dr. Brown has held impactful roles at Arizona State University, Auburn University, and the University of Missouri. At Ohio State, he previously directed the Frank W. Hale, Jr. Black Cultural Center, where he championed initiatives that uplifted historically underrepresented students and fostered a culture of belonging. In addition to his administrative leadership, Dr. Brown has taught courses in the College of Education and Human Ecology, further demonstrating his dedication to student learning and academic mentorship. 

Dr. Brown earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri, a Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance from the University of Central Missouri. While at Central Missouri, he was a proud participant in the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. He credits his TRIO family with helping him seize every opportunity to fulfill his academic and professional goals—a foundation that fuels his ongoing advocacy for students from historically excluded and oppressed communities. His research focuses on Black male student success, differential effects of college on students, Black racial identity development, and the impact of historically Black Greek-letter organizations on student retention and graduation. Dr. Brown has published and presented widely on these topics and remains actively involved in numerous professional and civic organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Southern Christian

Leadership Conference.

MJ is family-man, business owner, and a TRIO alum! After graduating top of his high school graduating class, MJ went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in engineering at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. While there, he secured an internship at an investment firm and became one of the youngest mutual fund brokers in the country at just 21 years old. MJ has helped thousands of people manage tens of millions of dollars, and he now takes his passion for personal finance and delivers powerful and engaging workshops through his company Simple Money Academy.