Linda S. Barker – Director
TRIO Educational Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Center Programs
Degrees:
Master of Science in Counseling, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR
Years Associated with TRIO:
Director of TRIO Programs – 4 years
Associate Director for Talent Search Program – 10 years
Counselor for Talent Search Program – 17 years
Howard D. Jackson – Associate Director
TRIO Educational Opportunity Center Program
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, Western Michigan University, MI
Hobbies:
Billiards, eating holiday meals, and spectator sports
Years Associated with TRIO:
March 1999 – present (Educational Opportunity Center Program at UALR)
Favorite Quote:
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X
Erica L. Parrish – Student Development Specialist
Educational Talent Search Program
Schools:
Hall High School, Little Rock, AR
Dermott High School, Dermott, AR
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with a minor in Spanish from Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR
Master of Science in Counseling, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Hobbies:
Adventuring with my husband “Lyle” and my black lab “Sofie”, tennis, backpacking, body boarding, drawing, yard work, and traveling
Years Associated with TRIO:
December 2011 – present (Educational Talent Search at UALR)
Favorite Quote:
“Commitment unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision, and gives us the right stuff to turn our dreams into reality.” – James Womack
Elena Maina – Student Development Specialist
Educational Talent Search Program
Schools:
Central High School, Little Rock, AR
Dermott High School, Dermott, AR
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in English, University of Florida
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, University of Florida
Master of Education in Secondary Education, Arizona State University
Hobbies:
Running, watching foreign film with my husband Andrew, cooking new dishes, and traveling to new places
Years Associated with TRIO:
January 2009 – May 2010 (Upward Bound in Florida)
August 2012 – present (Educational Talent Search Program at UALR)
Favorite Quote:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
Billy Ray Huggins – Student Development Specialist
Educational Talent Search Program
Schools:
J. A. Fair System Magnet High School, Little Rock, AR
McClellan Magnet High School, Little Rock, AR
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Monticello, AR
Master of Science in College Student Personnel from Arkansas Tech University, Russellville, AR
Hobbies:
Traveling, shopping at estate sales and collecting antiques.
Years Associated with TRIO:
October 2012 – present
Favorite Quote:
“Each person must live their life as a model for others.” – Rosa Parks
Cassandra A. Tavorn – Student Development Specialist
Educational Talent Search Program
Kassie J. Haynes – Education Counselor
Educational Opportunity Center Program
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Management with emphasis in Human Resources, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR
Master of Education in Counselor Education, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, AR
Hobbies:
Traveling with my husband, Tom, fixing up our 87 year old house, knitting, baking, spending time with our family, friends, and pets (2 cats, 5 chickens, 1 puppy), and learning new things
Years Associated with TRIO:
August 2009 – August 2010 (Academic Coordinator for Veterans Upward Bound at Pulaski Tech)
November 2011 – present (Educational Opportunity Center Program at UALR)
Favorite Quote:
“Never give up on a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” – Earl Nightingale
D. B. Rashad – Education Counselor
Educational Opportunity Center Program
Degrees:
Associate of Arts in Psychology, Donnelly College, Kansas City, KS
Bachelor of Arts in Professional & Technical Writing, UALR, Little Rock, AR
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, UALR, Little Rock, AR
Master of Arts in Professional & Technical Writing with emphasis Non-fiction, UALR, Little Rock, AR
Hobbies:
Reading, writing, going to movies, knitting, crocheting, and baking for friends
Years Associated with TRIO:
Summer of 2002 & 2003 (McNair Scholar Program)
Summer 2004 & 2005 (McNair Research Coordinator)
April 2009 – present (Educational Opportunity Center Program at UALR)
Favorite Quote:
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” – Abraham Lincoln
Cavin P. Tran – Project Program Specialist
TRIO Educational Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Center Programs
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, City College of New York, New York, NY
Master of Science in Management Information System, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
Doctor of Business Administration, University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
Hobbies:
Technology, traveling, reading, movies, sports, and science
Years Associated with TRIO:
July 2012 – present (Project Program Specialist for TRIO Outreach Center at UALR)
Favorite Quote:
“If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up.” – J.M. Power
Lillian Lee – Front Office Receptionist
Brandon Scaife – Administrator Analyst
Student Assistants:
Christi Kim
Shanikia Williams
Sheena Vang
