TS Staff

Maurice Mathis 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 and his Master of Science in Organizational Communication from NC State University. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Fayetteville State University. Maurice has served students in Upward Bound and Talent Search for 13 years across three institutions. As an educator, Mr. 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 an NC TRIO Board Member. 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. 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 Reed ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR TRIO TALENT SEARCH PROGRAMS CONTACT INFO La’Toya Cesar Reed provides supervision for the TRIO Talent Search Legacy and TRIO Talent Search Encore Programs. Ms. Cesar Reed is a native of North Carolina and a graduate of Saint Augustine’s College, Raleigh NC . She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Masters in Business Administration. A first-generation college graduate and TRIO-SSS Alumna, Ms. Reed 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. Ms. Reed serves Knightdale High School of Collaborative Design.
Frances De Los Santos TALENT SEARCH LEGACY PROGRAM COORDINATOR CONTACT INFO Frances De Los Santos graduated from NC State University with her Bachelor’s in Women’s and Gender Studies. Prior to working with TRIO, she was an NC State College Adviser where she got her first taste of work in college access. Ms. De Los Santos is a first-generation citizen and college graduate and is passionate about serving the Talent Search program to help students achieve their goals. Ms. De Los Santos serves Selma Middle School, Smithfield Middle School, and Smithfield Selma High School.
Josie Rikard TALENT SEARCH LEGACY PROGRAM COORDINATOR CONTACT INFO Ms Rikard serves East Wake High School, Wendell Middle School and Zebulon Middle School.
Juwan Watson TALENT SEARCH ENCORE PROGRAM COORDINATOR CONTACT INFO Mr. Watson serves Southern Wayne High School, Brogden Middle School and Grantham Middle School.
Vacant TALENT SEARCH ENCORE PROGRAM COORDINATOR CONTACT INFO serves Goldsboro High School and Eastern Wayne Middle School

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 Bachelors degrees (B.S. in Criminal Justice, B.A. 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.