Natalie Lawson

(BS in Political Science, History/Government '04; JD, Howard University Law School '07) is currently employed by the District of Columbia as a staff attorney in the Public Defender’s Office, Trial Division. Born and raised in Baltimore and an alumna of Baltimore City College High School, Natale served as a TRIO math tutor, choir member, member of the International Baccalaureate Program, and senior class president during her high school and undergraduate careers. She completed her JD at Howard University School of Law in May 2007; while at Howard, she worked at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender Juvenile Division in Baltimore and as a student attorney in the Washington, DC, Superior Court. She also competed against other law students as part of the Huber I. Brown Trial Advocacy Moot Court Team.

Alexander Shearn

April Joy

(AA, AAS, BS '03, MBA) is not only a TRIO student, but also a cancer survivor. She was the first in her family to graduate from high school and the only member of her family to graduate from college. Her awards and professional memberships include American Institute of CPA Scholars (2001), Congressional Black Caucus Scholar (2002), Distinguished Collegian (2003), and PhD Project Distinguished Fellow (2004). She writes, "My experience at BSU taught me how to be persistent, patient, and intelligent. I also learned about human behavior and how to prepare for the work world's highs and lows. TRIO taught me unity, networking, and caring for others for a positive future. After being recruited, I accepted a job with Ernst & Young, the second largest public accounting firm in the world. I am moving to New York City in late 2006 to start my career as a public auditor in asset management. My long-term goal is to give back what was given to me by volunteering to do motivational speaking in local schools and by writing a book. The knowledge you gain can give you a positive future that must be shared with others."

Maurice Milline

(BS in Sociology/Criminal Justice '05) writes, "I was the first person in my immediate family to attend and graduate from college. TRIO offered me effective counseling and tutorial help. In addition, I was given a...scholarship for my hard work and dedication to the tutorial services. Presently, I am a Youth Development Trainer for at-risk youth at Covenant House Washington. My job is to teach life skills to 11-17-year-old youths...so they can be equipped to make positive choices in their lives. I am thankful for the role that TRIO and most importantly the staff played in my life to develop me into who I am. "

Chuck Parker

(BS in Sociology/Criminal Justice '05) says that his years as a TRIO Achiever were very beneficial to him while at Bowie State University. He writes, "From my freshman year to my senior year, the TRIO staff supported me in all my ideas and dreams, plus they gave me the assurance I needed to get through college and get ready for life afterwards. All the counseling sessions and programs helped prepare me to become the model citizen I am today. Now that I have graduated from Bowie State, I am a police officer for the Annapolis Police Department. The future and main goal for me is to become a homicide detective for a major police department, but, of course, I have to work my way up the food chain. From all I have learned and the experience I had dealing with the TRIO staff, I am confident that I can achieve any goal and be the best that I can be."

Jennifer Lynn Bauer

(BS in Psychology '05) is currently employed by the CollegeBound Foundation as a College Access Program Specialist. She writes, "I have to say, finding a job after college was a challenge. I feel fortunate to have found a position that allows me to guide youths, to venture to work excited every day about what I do, and to have the opportunity to incorporate skills I acquired as a resident assistant and as a student into my personal and professional life. Fellow TRIO Achievers, I encourage you to enjoy life, allow yourself to make mistakes without reproach and continue to seek out causes and work toward them tenaciously."

Norca Salas

(BS in Social Work '03, MSW '05) writes, "I remember the first day that I met the TRIO staff. It seems like just yesterday. The TRIO program offered math tutoring, which I was able to access for free as a TRIO Achiever. As a freshman, I remember having a lot of work and not knowing how to manage my time or study properly. The program offered workshops for students to learn time management, study skills, and other valuable things that a college student should know. Everything I learned in the program helped me tremendously in graduate school at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, where I earned my MSW in May 2005." Norca currently works as a site coordinator for the YMCA.