TRIO Program Staff
TRIO Professional Team
Left to right, back to front: Phillip V., Lily R., James V., Grayson L., DaBrion H., Phil B., Raha A., Ja’Niya J., Gladie K., Amidat O., Abigail I., Dr. Margaret Sebastian
Left to right, back to front: Phillip V., Lily R., James V., Grayson L., DaBrion H., Phil B., Raha A., Ja’Niya J., Gladie K., Amidat O., Abigail I., Dr. Margaret Sebastian
Dr. Sebastian has more than 10+ years of higher education experience, including work in TRIO Grant Programs, Housing and Residence Life, and Title IX Compliance and Equity. Additionally, Dr. Sebastian has teaching experience in the Department of Leadership, Policy & Development at the University of Northern Colorado and in the School of Health Sciences & Wellness Department and University Seminar Department at Northwest Missouri State University. Dr. Sebastian has a Bachelor’s degree in History & Leadership Studies, a Master’s degree in Guidance & Counseling, a Certificate in Organizational Leadership, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education & Student Affairs Leadership from the University of Northern Colorado. Her research interests include student affairs administrators, qualitative research methods, campus climate, and organization change.
Phil is a first-generation student from Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He earned an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Science from Chesapeake College and was awarded the Outstanding Graduate of Liberal Arts and Science Award for 2016. In 2022 – 2023, Phil was awarded one of the highest honors within the University System of Maryland, the Board of Regents Award for Excellence: Exceptional Contribution to the Institution and/or Unit to Which the Person Belongs. He has experience with marketing and advertising events in addition to providing administrative support and managing data for TRIO Programs.
Phillip is a Wicomico County native, born and raised on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. He has been working in Education for more than 8 years, with over 6 years as a Special Education teacher with the last 2 years working in Higher Education. Phillip graduated with an associate's degree in Secondary Education from Wor-Wic Community College and a bachelor's degree in social studies education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Phillip has taken graduate-level courses in Special Education and Leadership and will complete his M.ED at Wilmington University this summer! Phillip looks forward to being a positive role model for those who come from a similar background as him!
Abigail (she/her/hers) is a recent graduate from Salisbury University holding a Masters of Higher Education Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Leadership. Abigail is a first-generation college student who is passionate about education and student support. Her future goals include traveling and trying new things! Abigail discovered the TRIO Program during her graduate studies and has been inspired by its impactful contributions to student success at Salisbury University. Abigail values meaningful conversations and strives to be a supportive friend to her peers. She is excited about being actively involved in her community and learning how to support students who share similar experiences to her own.
Raha is a Junior at SU, majoring in Social Work and minoring in Human Management Research. After graduation, she hopes to go to graduate school to get her master's degree in social work. This is her second year on the Student Involvement Team. She loves that the TRIO Program allows her to gain a lot of experience and real-world skills Also working with TRIO students teaches her a lot, including helping her to get out of her comfort zone, and gives her a chance to meet new people, which she loves. Her goal is to help people in any way she can. 
Lord is a sophomore from Baltimore County, Maryland. She is currently majoring in Medical Laboratory Science. She strives to ensure that her mentees have a safe and enjoyable place to be a leader. She believes TRIO is a great organization because TRIO provides academic support, financial guidance, and various career opportunities and exploration. She is looking forward to giving her time, knowledge, and energy to help younger students here at Salisbury University thrive and achieve their goals.
Kay is a senior originally from West Texas whose family moved to Somerset County, Maryland. They are majoring in Outdoor Education Leadership with a minor in Creative Writing. They are interested in how best to tackle the lack of inclusion in outdoor activities and spaces. As a transfer and non-traditional first-generation student, Kay understands the importance of making the most of their university career and using all resources available to them as best they can. They want to assist with the TRIO program so they can assure TRIO can continue to best serve all TRIO students.
DaBrion is a junior pursuing a major in Accounting and Information Systems, with a double track in Enterprise Systems and Business Analytics. She has been involved with the TRIO program since her high school years at Catonsville Community College in Baltimore County: TRIO Upward Bound program, fostering her passion for assisting students. TRIO has provided her with opportunities she had not previously considered, and She is dedicated to helping other students reach their goals in the same way that TRIO has supported her.
Grayson (he/him/his) is a Sophomore from Delaware. Grayson is a Psychology major pursuing graduate school shortly after graduation to become a licensed therapist. He wants to inspire the youth and help people in any way he can. Grayson learned about TRIO during his first year from a good friend. Grayson’s friend taught him about all the good work that TRIO does for the Salisbury University community, and he could not wait to join the Program. He believes everyone should have someone to talk to, and TRIO has many ears willing to listen. Grayson would do anything to help someone in need and strives to make Salisbury University feel more like home for all TRIO students. 
Gladie (she/her) is a Junior, majoring in Public Health and minoring in Business Analytics. She is dedicated to assisting all students with anything possible. Gladie is excited about learning from all the many students she will encounter and navigating them through college. Her interest in helping students within TRIO comes from all her advising experiences such as College Tracks and TRIO Programs that focus on the success of students throughout the undergraduate career. 
Lily (she, her) is a sophomore majoring in Elementary Education. She is dedicated to assisting students of diverse backgrounds. Lily looks forward to hearing new perspectives and helping students navigate through their experiences at Salisbury University. Her passion for TRIO derives from her own first year experiences and being able to connect with TRIO Ambassadors, while balancing a new environment.