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2024 AASAP Board
Pam Freer - President
Pam Freer is the ETS Director for North Arkansas College. She has been an active AASAP member for 25 years and serves as the AASAP Board President. Pam has a BSE in Business Education and an MSE in Curriculum and Instruction, both from A-State. She is married and has two children and six incredible grandchildren--Luke, Owen, Jack, and Rhett, Sunnie Kate, and Audrey. When she's not at work or hanging with the grands, you can catch Pam at Lake Norfork.
Pam is a 2017 graduate of the Arkansas Emerging Leaders Institute and is a current member of the COE ELI Cohort (2024).
SWASAP Committe Assignments: Finance, Conference Committee, Corporate Development, Professional Development, Policy, Membership (Co-Chair) and Nominations and Elections (Co-Chair)
Pam can be reached at president@arkansastrio.org or by phone at 870-215-1978.
Brooke Siegler - Past-President
Brooke Siegler currently serves as the AASAP Past-President and works as the Assistant Director for Arkansas Northeastern College’s Educational Talent Search program. She received both her Bachelor of Education in Social Science and her Master of Public Administration from Arkansas State University. Prior to joining TRIO in 2015, Brooke worked as a high school history and government teacher. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, reading, traveling, and awards shows.
SWASAP Committee Assignments: Emerging Leaders Institute Co-Chair
Brooke can be reached at past-president@arkansastrio.org or by phone at 870-838-2933.
Dr. Branndii Peterson - President - Elect
Dr. Branndii N. Peterson was born and raised in Little Rock, AR. She attend THE Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA, where she received her Bachelors of Arts degree in History with a minor in African American Studies. After graduating undergrad she was the recipient of the Benjamin Leaver Fellowship at University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where she obtained her Masters in Healthcare Administration. Dr. Peterson started working in the healthcare industry and decided that this wasn't her passion. While looking for her next endeavor she landed a job at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, GA, as the Operations Manager for the studio. She received her PhD in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. Once she completed her PhD she decided on a career change and transitioned into higher education. She is a 2021 graduate of SWASAP Emerging Leaders Institute and in 2022 was award the Rising Star award at the SWASAP conference. Currently Dr. Peterson is the Executive Director of TRIO at Lyon College in Batesville, AR, where she oversees The APPLE Project (UB Classic Program) and the Upward Bound Math-Science Program.
SWASAP Committe Assignments: By-Laws (Chair), Conference Committee, Corporate Development (Chair), and Scholarships,
Branndii can be reached at president-elect@arkansastrio.org or 870- 307-7263.
Kendra Peterson - Secretary
Ms. Kendra E. Peterson has an extensive background in education, counseling, and marketing. Currently, she serves as the Educational Counselor for The Arkansas Baptist College TRIO Upward Bound Program. In addition to her role in education, Ms. Peterson works as a professor at Arkansas Baptist College. Ms. Peterson is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from Arkansas State University and furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Arts in Multimedia Journalism from Arkansas Tech University. Throughout her college experience, Ms. Peterson was actively involved in various student organizations and leadership roles. She participated in The Government Student Association, served as the Public Relations Officer for The Black Student Association, was a member of Circle of Trust, and held the position of President of the Women’s in Communication Association.
Before venturing into the field of education, Ms. Peterson held the position of Regional Marketing Manager, where she served Greater Little Rock and Missouri for The American Red Cross. Her diverse career journey showcases her ability to contribute to both the educational and marketing sectors. Ms. Kendra E. Peterson's involvement in philanthropy underscores her commitment to community engagement and making a positive impact. She has dedicated her time and efforts to various non-profit organizations, contributing to their causes. Some of the organizations she has worked with include Positive People Promotions, Inc., The Arkansas Foodbank, and Big Brother Big Sisters of America, among others.
In her philanthropic work, Ms. Peterson likely played a key role in coordinating activities, events, and initiatives that aimed to benefit the community. Her collaboration with non-profit organizations indicates a passion for social causes and a desire to contribute to the well-being of others. Her diverse background, encompassing roles in education, counseling, marketing, and community service, reflects a well-rounded and dedicated professional who values both personal and societal growth. Ms. Peterson's multifaceted experiences contribute to her ability to connect with diverse audiences and bring about positive change in various aspects of her community.
Kendra can be reached at secretary@arkansastrio.org or 501-420-1275.
Marty Mayfield - Treasurer
Marty Mayfield is the Project Coordinator for TRIO Student Support Services and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at UA Little Rock and worked for both programs for over 20 years. She is from Little Rock, Arkansas, and was the first in her family to graduate college. She received her B.A. in Management Information Systems, from UA Little Rock and her M.A. in Human Resources Management, from Webster University. She has served as the AASAP Conference Logistics Chair and AASAP Budget Committee Chair. She is also a graduate of the 2022 AASAP Emerging Leaders Institute class.
Term: January 2024 - December 2025
Marty can be reached at treasurer@arkansastrio.org or 501-916-6163.
Wes Henry - AASAP Representative
Wes Henry is the Educational Specialist for TRIO Central Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC). He has been a member of AASAP since 2021 and is an AASAP ELI graduate. Wes received his Bachelor's degree from Harding University in 2017 and his Master's degree from Arkansas Tech University in 2021. As a hobby, Wes enjoys cardio and muscular workouts.
Wes can be reached at aasap-rep-2@arkansastrio.org.
Kelsay Williams - AASAP Representative
Kelsay Williams is the Assistant Director for TRIO Upward Bound at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. She’s worked with Upward Bound for the last four and a half years. She received her B.A. in Speech Communication and M.A. in Applied Communication Studies from the University of Arkansas – Little Rock. Kelsay is a graduate of the 2023 Emerging Leaders Institute class. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, painting, traveling, bird watching, and spending time with her cat – Sassy. This will be her first leadership role with the AASAP Board.
Kelsay can be reached at aasap-rep-1@arkansastrio.org
Tenita Shannon-Gragg - SWASAP Representative
Tenita Shannon-Gragg joined the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff TRIO- UPWARD BOUND staff in January 2014 as Educational Coordinator. A Newport, Arkansas native and the only child of Eddie (PJ) and Percy Lee Shannon, Mrs. Shannon-Gragg is a 1981 graduate of Newport High School (Greyhounds), a 1985 graduate of The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a graduate of the first master's class at UAPB. She received a BS degree in Biological Science and a MSE in Science and Technology.
Prior to returning to her Alma Mater, where she is currently the Director of the – UAPB Upward Bound Program, Tenita has worked as Classroom Teacher in the states of Arkansas and Wisconsin. She served as an Instructional Supervisor for Project IMPAC- Little Rock, AR, a PC Systems Facilitator at the National Center for toxicological Research (NCTR), and Business and Industry Computer Training Specialist, Cisco Regional Coordinator and Director of Recruitment/Student Enrollment Specialist, - Southeast Arkansas College.
She is a member of The Pine Bluff Chapter- Links Incorporated, Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. Tau Beta Sigma National Band Sorority, Phi Delta Kappa, Educational, UAPB Toast Masters, Drew County NAACP, UAPB Alumni, Professional Football Players Mothers Association, Women on Technology and Pilgrim Rest AME Church, Monticello, AR.
Tenita is married to Mr. Kelvin B. Gragg, Asst. Superintendent, Pine Bluff/Dollarway School District. They have two sons Christopher Gragg, Offensive Coach, Springdale Har-ber High School, Tight End for the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, – National Football League (RETIRED) and Shannon “Will” Gragg Sports Agent, Milk and Honey Management, Dallas, TX
SWASAP Committee Assignments: Advocacy and Fair Share, Alumni, Conference, Corporate Development, Technology, and Document/Record Keeping
Tenita can be reached at swasap-rep-1@arkansastrio.org
Justine Yatska - SWASAP Representative
Justine is currently the TRIO SSS Academic Support Coach at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. She is a proud TRIO Upward Bound Alumni and has earned a bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of Central Arkansas, as well as a master's degree in liberal arts from Arkansas Tech University. Justine has been a member of AASAP since 2021 and is a graduate of the 2022 SWASAP Emerging Leaders Institute. In her free time, she enjoys drinking coffee, crafting, and thrifting.
SWASAP Committee Assignments: Conference Committee, Corporate Development, and Strategic Planning.
Justine can be reached at swasap-rep-2@arkansastrio.org