Bowie State University

	Monica Turner, Director, mturner@bowiestate.edu, (301) 860-3296 An experienced administrator and educator, Ms. Turner has led Bowie State University's TRiO Achievers Program since 2002. During her time as a Director, she has developed a number of learner-centered initiatives--including the Summer Experience, an integrated pre-college summer program; Scholar's Studio, a problem-based learning community; and The Faculty Think Tank, an interdisciplinary faculty learning community. She has taught the Psychology of Learning and Freshman Seminar and continues to use her experience as a leader and educator to help students and colleagues realize their potential. Ms. Turner has written several grant proposals that have brought more than four million dollars to the University. She holds a Master's degree in School Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Bachelor's degree in History--Politics from Drexel University. For additional details, please visit Ms. Turner's online Curriculum Vitae.
	Marilyn O'Brien, Counseling Coordinator, mobrien@bowiestate,edu, (301) 860-3290 Mrs. O'Brien brings a wealth of experience as an advisor and educator to the TRiO/Student Support Services program. As a University Counselor for Wayne State University's School of Medicine, where she spent 10 years, she designed summer orientation programs and provided study skills support for over 1,200 medical students. Her commitment to student success and passion for study skills development translated to an impressive 93% pass rate on the National Board Exam (USMLE). Students under Mrs. O'Brien's tutelage in the TRiO/SSS program have experienced similar successes, among them gaining admission into prominent graduate programs, passing certification exams, and participating in scholarship, internship, and education exchange opportunities. Mrs. O'Brien holds a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education (English) from Pennsylvania State University and a Master's Degree in College Reading and Study Skills Counseling from the University of Minnesota.
	Lisa Nardi, Writing Specialist, lnardi@bowiestate.edu, (301) 860-3297 Prior to accepting her current position, Ms. Nardi taught Composition, Literature, Creative Writing, and ESL in Maine. During her time at BSU, she has created empowering learning experiences for students, and in collaboration with Monica Turner, developed the Summer Experience, an integrated pre-college summer program; Scholar's Studio, a problem-based learning community; and The Faculty Think Tank, an interdisciplinary faculty learning community. She and Ms. Turner have presented findings from these programs at a variety of national pedagogy conferences. Ms. Nardi holds a B.A. in English from the University of Findlay, an M.F.A. in Writing from Vermont College, and she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Education Policy--Curriculum Theory and Development from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is a qualitative researcher with interests in transformative pedagogy, access institutions, and retention theory as viewed through a transcultural, postcolonial lens. For additional details, please visit Ms. Nardi's online CV.
	Lorraine Porter, Administrative Assistant, lporter@bowiestate.edu, (301) 860-3298 Lorraine Avery Porter joined the staff of TRiO/Student Support Services at Bowie State University as the Administrative Assistant in Spring 2011 semester. Her background includes work in legal, real estate, education, human resources, office management, writing and editing, training, theatre arts and non-profit organizations. Mrs. Porter formerly worked in federal government and has served as a liaison between various offices and Capitol Hill. Also, as an avocation, she assists with the editing of books and the planning of workshops for health and wellness. She has a bachelor’s degree and enjoys writing poetry and plays, singing and volunteering as a lay counselor.
	Joshua Williams, Math Specialist
	Shelly Aboagye, Graduate Assistant