Training Team

Picture of Matthew Benney

Mr. Matthew Benney

Trainer, PR5/6 TRIO Trainings, Sonoma State University
dmbenney@outlook.com

My Experience

  • Retired Associate VP for Student Affairs, Sonoma State University; Supervised 11 TRIO Programs 

  • Previously Priorities 5/6 TRIO Training Principal Investigator and TRIO Trainer with 30 years TRIO experience; expert in Higher Education Opportunity Act, EDGAR, Uniform Guidance, budgeting, program management, and institutional relations

Picture of Ping Chan

Ms. Ping Chan

Training Coordinator, PR5/6 TRIO Trainings, Sonoma State University
jjchan@ucdavis.edu

My Experience

  • Retired Director of Upward Bound, University of California, Davis
  • TRIO Trainer for 8 years with 42 years of TRIO experience; coordinates TRIO Training registration, communication and logistics
Picture of Deltha Colvin

Ms. Deltha Colvin

Trainer, PR5/6 TRIO Trainings, Sonoma State University
deltha.colvin@wichita.edu

My Experience

  • Associate VP for Special Programs/Instruction, Wichita State University; Supervises 9 TRIO progams, 1 state-wide GEAR UP, and 2 partnership GEAR-UP programs
  • TRIO Trainer for 33 years and an amazing 54 years in TRIO, expert on the law and regulations, institutional relations, program management, and needs assessment
Picture of Phillip Dirks

Mr. Phillip Dirks

Trainer, PR5/6 TRIO Trainings, Sonoma State University
phillip.dirks@gmail.com

My Experience

  • Retired Director of Talent Search and Upward Bound, Portland State University
  • TRIO Trainer for 22 years with 32 years in TRIO; expert on longitudinal tracking of students into college, recruitment, workforce development, project-based learning, and evaluation
Picture of Kyrstie Lane

Ms. Kyrstie Lane

Trainer, PR5/6 TRIO Trainings, Sonoma State University
klane@csumb.edu

My Experience

  • Associate Director of Student Support Services and Student Support Services STEM, California State Uniuversity, Monterey Bay
  • TRIO Trainer for 1 year with 6 years dedicated to TRIO, expert on SSS and SSS and oversight of pre-college projects
Picture of Jorge Lupercio

Mr. Jorge Lupercio

Trainer, PR5/6 TRIO Trainings, Sonoma State University
jlupercio@cpp.edu

My Experience

  • Program Coordinator, Upward Bound Math/Science, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 
  • TRIO Trainer for 5 years and 22 years; expert in Information Technology 
Picture of Paula Martin

Ms. Paula Martin

Trainer, PR5/6 TRIO Trainings, Sonoma State University
paulajmart@verizon.net

My Experience

  • Executive Director of Harlem Center for Education; Director Talent Search; Supervised EOC and 4 state programs that are connected to TRIO
  • TRIO Trainer for 36 years with 48 years dedicated to TRIO; expert on ETS and EOC, regulations, program management, needs assessment, and record keeping
Picture of Gregory Martinez

Mr. Gregory Martinez

Trainer, PR5/6 TRIO Trainings, Sonoma State University
gregorymartinez@boisestate.edu

My Experience

  • Director, Center for Multicultural and Educational Opportunity, Boise State University
  • TRIO Trainer for 1 year with 26 years dedicated to TRIO, expert on McNair and SSS and oversight of pre-college projects

Dr. Ricardo Quintero

Trainer, PR5/6 TRIO Trainings, Sonoma State University
rdquintero@hotmail.com

My Experience

  • Executive Director Pre-College Programs, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; Reading Computer Lab Coordinator for Los Angeles Unified School District
  • TRIO Trainer with 28 years of TRIO experience; expert on language proficient students and disconnected youth

Ms. Amy Verlanic

Director of TRIO Training Programs, Sonoma State University
verlanica@sonoma.edu

My Experience

  • Recently retired TRIO Executive Director for Montana Technological University supervising 5 TRIO programs and 15 related state and federal programs.  Earning over $2M a year in grant funds and serving over 3,000 students per year. 
  • Amy is a current TRIO trainer for Sonoma State, UNLV, COE and KU.  Ms. Verlanic has presented numerous times at all 10 regional conferences.  Active trainer for European Access Network.
  • Specialties include STEM education, poverty paradigm, and grant writing.

Email Amy: verlanica@sonoma.edu