TS Staff

Maurice Mathis, Ed.D Senior Director, TRIO Pre-College Programs Contact INFO Maurice Mathis provides oversight for both Upward Bound and Talent Search as the Senior Director for TRIO Pre-College Programs. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Truman State University, his Master of Science in Organizational Communication from NC State University, and his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Fayetteville State University. Maurice has served students in Upward Bound and Talent Search for 15 years across three institutions. As an educator, Dr. Mathis has provided a variety of workshops for students and professionals at the local, regional, and national levels. He has served as a National Trainer for the TRIO Training Project (Priority #5), a SAEOPP Board Member / Committee Chair for the Emerging Leaders Institute, and the NC TRIO President, among others. Through each appointment, he keeps the students he serves at the forefront and, as a result, has attended Policy Seminar in Washington DC multiple times to fight for increased funding for TRIO programs. In the 2021 grant competition year, Maurice successfully added a new Talent Search Program (Talent Search Encore) to the department which added an additional 500 students in Wayne County, NC. Maurice enjoys all facets of TRIO work: from writing grants to creating partnerships to increase opportunities for students to overnight trips with students!
La’Toya Cesar ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR TRIO TALENT SEARCH PROGRAMS CONTACT INFO La’Toya Cesar provides supervision for the TRIO Talent Search Legacy and TRIO Talent Search Encore Programs. Ms. Cesar received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology from Saint Augustine’s University and her Master’s in Business Administration from Strayer University. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Education at Fayetteville State University. A first-generation college graduate and TRIO-SSS Alumna, Ms. Cesar has 13 years of experience working with TRIO Programs and currently serves as an NC TRIO Board Member. She is passionate about student advocacy and is committed to supporting policy change to support access and equity in higher education.

Josie Rikard TALENT SEARCH LEGACY PROGRAM COORDINATOR CONTACT INFO Josie Rikard graduated from NC State University with her Bachelor’s in Environmental Sciences and Biological Sciences. Prior to working with TRIO, she worked with Student Leadership and Engagement on campus where she connected students to meaningful leadership development, campus involvement, and community engagement opportunities. Ms. Rikard is passionate about the growth and personal development of the students we serve in helping them reach their goals of a debt-free education. Ms. Rikard serves East Wake High School, Wendell Middle School, and Zebulon Middle School.
Trevor Dobbins TALENT SEARCH ENCORE PROGRAM COORDINATOR CONTACT INFO Trevor Dobbins graduated from North Carolina State University in May of 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management and a minor in Coaching Education. He has since continued to further his education as he is currently pursuing a Master of Education at NC State University in the College Counseling and Student Development program. Mr. Dobbins is a first-generation college graduate dedicated to supporting and enabling students in our Talent Search Program to follow in his footsteps and be the first in their families to go to college and graduate. Mr. Dobbins serves Southern Wayne High School, Brogden Middle School, and Grantham Middle School.
Jared Nichols TALENT SEARCH ENCORE PROGRAM COORDINATOR CONTACT INFO Jared Nichols is a 2020 graduate of Radford University, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Recreational parks and tourism. As an undergraduate student, he served as a student orientation leader, parent guide, and Freshman seminar teacher’s assistant for 3 years. Mr. Nichols’ start in North Carolina began as an admissions counselor and recruiter at Campbell University where he provided guidance to students for academic development and success. Mr. Nichols has a passion for helping students realize their hopes and dreams. “I am so happy I get to make a positive impact in the communities that we serve every day. My mission is to ensure that students are able to carry out any dream and goal they have for themselves, by encouraging them and showing them the guidance and support they need”.

Catherine Wright Administrative Support Associate Contact Info Catherine Wright is from Nassau, Bahamas, and has earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration with a major in Human Resource Management from McHari International College (The Bahamas). She has worked in the administrative field in the education industry for more than thirty years, supplying thorough administrative support to senior executives. Catherine is the current Administrative Support Associate of the TRIO Programs in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs at NC State University. Her role ensures the smooth operation of events and academic activities within the TRIO Programs.
Gabrielle Joyner Administrative Support Associate Contact Info Gabrielle Joyner serves as the Administrative Support Associate for the TRIO Pre-College Programs. She is a native of Greenville, North Carolina. She earned two bachelor’s degrees (B.S. in Criminal Justice, B.A. in Psychology) from East Carolina University in 2016. With almost five years of administrative experience, she is dedicated to providing quality administrative services to support the TRIO staff and the students and families served by TRIO.