text: Meet the Crew — A FREE Resource Focused on College and Career Access
  Meet the TRIO Pre-College Programs Crew
  Contact TRIO Pre-College Programs
  Phone: (906) 487-7235 OR 1-800-682-7604
  Fax: 906 487 7516
  Dave has worked for three TRIO programs since 1988, namely TRIO Talent Search, TRIO Upward Bound, and TRIO Student Support Services and became Director in June, 2017. He graduated from Michigan Tech earning a Master's degree in Mathematics, a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, and a state certification to teach Math and Science. Being a first-generation college student Dave understands the important role that TRIO programs play in the successful completion of a college degree. In his free time Dave enjoys golfing and softball in the summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. He is married to Kristina and has two sons Zach and Josh and a granddaughter named Kendall.
  Emily has a diverse educational background with main concentrations including Psychology and Animal Behavior. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor degree and completed her associate degree at Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver, CO. She also studied in Scotland and earned her MSc in Psychology at the University of Stirling. Public service has always been important to her, she spent a year as an AmeriCorps member with the American Red Cross in Holland, MI. She worked abroad for several years in South Africa at International Primate Rescue and South Korea as a middle school ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher.
  Emily enjoys kayaking, cross country skiing, spin classes, British reality TV, Thai food and international travel. She values education very much and believes every young person should have the opportunity to pursue a post-secondary education. She is looking forward to exposing students to the many resources available to them and helping them obtain their educational goals!
  Dianne has been with the TRIO TS program since the Fall of 2008. Prior to her position with TRIO TS she worked for the Greater Green Bay YMCAs in Green Bay, WI. The former cheese head moved to the UP to obtain a masters' degree in school counseling from NMU. In 2007 she got engaged, bought a house, graduated, and got married all within a 6 month time span. She holds a bachelor's degree in music education, with a performance minor, from St. Norbert College. When Dianne is not working she enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 daughters, step-son, multiple family members living in the area, and the family dog.
  Dianne enjoys forming relationships with her students and keeping contact as they continue their success in high school. She is always happy to see her former students doing well and becoming positive contributors to their school communities.
  Catherine, a native of Hancock, earned a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Michigan Tech and a Master's degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse. She taught high school math in Texas and Wisconsin for many years before moving back to the area.
  Catherine has always taken an interest in mentoring youth, both in and out of the classroom. She is excited to now be a part of the TRIO program, helping students pursue the opportunities of a post-secondary education.
  In her free time Catherine enjoys all sorts of year-round activities, especially those that involve being outside. Her favorites are hiking and atv-ing in the Keweenaw. She is married to Steve and has three sons Zach, Adam and Austin.
  Kailee joined the TRIO Pre-College Staff as an Academic Advisor with Talent Search in 2014. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts with concentrations in Psychology and Christian Vocation in December of 2012 from Finlandia University. Prior to working for TRIO Pre-College Programs, Kailee worked as an office manager for BlueSky Health in Houghton and Howell, Michigan, and as the Mentor Michigan College Coaching Corps (Americorps) member for the Western UP.
  In her free time, Kailee enjoys reading, thrifting, and enjoying the U.P. through hiking and other adventures. She is also a music connoisseur of many kinds, and particularly enjoys collecting a wide and odd variety of music.
  Kristie Ollila
  Frank joined the TRIO team on Monday, March 5, 2018 as an Academic Coordinator for TRIO Upward Bound.
  Frank holds BA and MA degrees in English from Northern Michigan University and has taught composition at a number of places over the past 20 years ranging from the Michigan prison system to South Korea. He has also worked with young people in an outdoor activity program for almost 20 years.
  In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, board games and just trying new things. As a first generation college graduate, he has enjoyed the various options for employment and world travel that having a higher degree has opened up for him.
  Leadership Flowchart
  TRIO Pre-College Programs, including TRIO Talent Search & TRIO Upward Bound, are 100% grant funded programs through the U.S. Department of Education and proudly hosted by Finlandia University.
  To better understand the hierarchy of leadership, how our programs run and who we report to at Finlandia, see our LEADERSHIP FLOWCHART.