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Mr. Kenneth Newkirk, Program Director

Years with TRiO/Upward Bound Programs: 33 plus years

Education Background:  B.A. Social Studies Morris Brown College;

M.Ed Counseling and Guidance-Valdosta State (College) University

Profession Background: Upward Bound Program Counselor & Director since 1977;

Adult Literary Instructor/Georgia Tech University 5 years; Qualified Test Administrator;

Grant Writing; Social Studies Instructor/Telfair County Public School System 7 years

Personal Information:  Married to Betty and father of twin daughters, Kristen and Krystal

Professional & Civic Organizations:  Georgia Association of Special Programs Personnel (GASPP); outheastern Associtation of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP);

Kiwanis Club of Tifton (GA); National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP);

Board Member of the Greenhouse Youth Project; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; Allen Temple Methodist Episcopal Church.

Best part of my job is:  Helping young people realize their educational goals.

Favorite/Most memorable event?  Helping to plan and implement the very first Upward Bound Project at ABAC in 1977

Ms. Jean L. Oliver-Burks, Classic Program Coordinator  

Years with Upward Bound/TRiO: 17 plus years

Education Background:  B.S. Social Science-Fort Valley State University;

M.Ed Counseling & Human Development-Atlanta University

Profession Background: Upward Bound Program Counselor/Coordinator since 1995

19 plus years of Administrative Management, Clerical, Teaching and Counseling experience

in the public school system and the collegiate level

Personal Information:  Married to James

Professional & Civic Organizations:  GASPP-Georgia Association of

Special Programs Personnel; SAEOPP-Southeastern Association of Educational

Opportunity Program Personnel; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Ladies of Essence Social

& Civic Club; Youth Director-Mt Zion First African Baptist Church

Mr. James LeTroy Lewis, TiftArea Program Coordinator       

Years with TRiO/Upward Bound Programs: 10+ years

Education Background: B.S. Psychology, M.S. Administration, Georgia Southwestern State University and currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership

Profession Background: Upward Bound Program Coordinator (May 2009 – ABAC), Upward Bound Program Director/Coordinator (10 ½ years – Andrew College 1996 - 2006); Graduation Coach - 3 years Calhoun County Middle High School; Social Services [Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS), Easter Seals- Rehabilitation Coordinator, Center for Innovative Training and Education (CITE), Sumter MR Services Center] - 13 years; Consulting (grant writing, program evaluation, workshops, etc.)                   Personal Information:  Married to VanEssa and father of three children                                                                        Professional & Civic Organizations: Georgia Association of Special Program Personnel (GASPP) Former Registration Chair, Member, Trio Day Committee, Member; Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP) Former Member; Cuthbert Rotary Club, Former President, Member; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; Former Elected Official, City Council, Dawson, Georgia - 6 years; Ordained Minister and Pastor (New Zion Baptist Church – 8 and 5 years, respectively).

 Ms. Holly M. Lawrence Guidance/Academic Specialist                               

Education Background:  Graduated from Thomas University (Thomasville, GA) with a B.S. Degree

                                           Years with Upward Bound/TRiO: 4 years plus

                                           in Social Work (2004) and a M.S. Degree in Community Counseling (2007), and currently pursuing a

                                           Doctorate Degree in Counseling Psychology.

                                           Profession Background: Program Advisor for Thomas University Pre-College Programs: (Educational

                                           Talent Search (ETC) and GEAR UP) for three years.

                                           Professional & Civic Organizations: GASPP-Georgia Association of Special Programs Personnel;

                                          SAEOPP-Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel; National Social

Worker Association; Sigma Chi Iota Counseling Honor Society; Concerned Citizen Club of Boston, GA; Boston Community Cemetery

Trust Committee; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC.

Best part of my job is: Helping students to achieve their personal and educational goals.

Favorite/Most memorable event?  In 2004, being the first member of my family to graduate from college.

Favorite Quote/Saying:   "I believe the children are our future, let's teach them well and let them lead the way."

Greatest Love of All-Whitney Houston

Ms. Brenda H. Graham, Sr. Administrative Assistant 

Years with Upward Bound/TRiO:  Since March 2001

Education Background:  Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College/

Associate of Applied Science in Human Services Social and Legal Degree

Profession Background: Upward Bound Program since March 2001,

17 years Cook High School-Paraprofessional & Cheerleader Coach 13 years

Personal Information:  Mother of 3 sons, Mema to 9 grandchildren

Professional & Civic Organizations:  GASPP-Georgia Association of

Special Programs Personnel; SAEOPP-Southeastern Association of Educational

Opportunity Program Personnel; Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church (Adel, GA)

Best part of my job is:  Seeing students (and parents) eager to break the cycle

 to become the first in their family to attend and complete college. Coming to work and working with a great staff who cares.

 Favorite Quote/Saying:  "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life..."Psalm 27

"Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps errs." Proverbs 19:2