TRIO Staff, Mentors, and Tutors
NOTE: Drop-in tutoring hours and locations can be found on our Contact Us page.
Staff
Anthony Webster (he/him), Director
[email protected]Anthony is a proud native of Greenville, Mississippi. As an undergraduate student at Jackson State University, he recognized his passion for higher education and student success after being hired as a work-study student in the Dean of Students Office. As a McNair Scholar, he learned early in his college career how important it is to connect with resources, build community, and become involved. Anthony has been instrumental in helping students from historically marginalized communities gain access to post-secondary opportunities and transition beyond college into adulthood at both the two-year and four-year college levels throughout his professional career.
His commitment to supporting first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities as they navigate their educational journey stems from his own experience of being labeled as "at-risk ." Anthony knows first-hand the hurdles students encounter as they seek to build a better life for themselves and their families by earning a college degree. And he is determined to improve systems and policies that serve as barriers for these students.
Anthony has called Michigan home for over a decade and is a graduate of the Eastern Michigan University Higher Education Student Affairs program. In addition, he is a student in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Ph.D. program at Wayne State University. His research will explore how to improve access and employment opportunities for minority students through the lens of the Critical Race Theory.
Beyond work, Anthony enjoys connecting virtually with friends and family. One day he hopes to travel more. He says that one of his favorite quotes comes from his fraternity brother Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the quote states, "Everybody Can Be Great Because Everybody Can Serve." Anthony is looking forward to connecting and collaborating with students, faculty, and staff alike to take the TRIO Student Support Services program to the next level.
Vacant, Program Coordinator Currently Vacant - Please reach out to Program Director, Anthony Webster at [email protected].
Zee Sabbagh, TRIO SSS Office Intern
Master’s in Higher ED & Student Affairs
Beirut, Lebanon
This academic year I am looking to gain experience in my field and apply what I’m learning in the classroom on the floor. My favorite TV show is “The Gift.”
Peer Mentors
Ally Roberts (she/her), Peer Mentor
[email protected]Ally works as a peer mentor for the TRIO Student Support Services office and she is the current RA for the LLC. She is a senior studying teaching and learning with a minor in Earth science. Ally is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and came to Eastern because of the welcoming environment and people. She is looking forward to graduating and applying to masters programs this school year. Her favorite TV show at the moment is Bob's Burgers. 
Ava Leahy, Peer Mentor Psychology Major with a Criminology Minor
I'm from La Grange, Illinois.
This academic year I am looking forward to trying new and different classes both within and outside of my major.
My favorite TV show used to be Supernatural, but I'm not quite sure if I have a favorite one at the moment.
Colton Ray, Peer Mentor Major/Minor: Social Work Major & Sociology Minor
My hometown: Hamburg, MI
This academic year I’m looking forward to enjoying Fall weather and festivities, and also connecting with more students and faculty in the Social Work department, to build connections and envision the future of our field. My favorite TV shows are Atlanta and Black Mirror.
Elena Fenech, Peer Mentor Elena is going into her second year as a Peer Mentor for TRiO Student Support Services. She is a Music Therapy major and Psychology minor here at EMU and is headed into her final year of academic coursework. Elena is from Woodhaven Michigan and is looking forward to growing professionally and academically over the course of this school year. Her all time favorite TV show is Psych. 
Julia De La Harpe, Peer Mentor Julia De La Harpe (She/Her) is a Senior at Eastern Michigan University majoring in Elementary Education with a Reading Comprehensive. She is from Marine City, MI. One thing Julia is looking forward to this academic year is getting more classes completed and getting a couple steps closer to student teaching and graduation! Her all time favorite TV show would probably be “Twenty Five, Twenty One.” 
Liz Zavala (she/they), Peer Mentor I am a proud first-generation Latina college student. I am a Social Work major with a Psychology minor. Though I was born in New Jersey, I've lived in Ypsi for the majority of my life. (If you need good food suggestions, let me know!) Apart from my experience at TRIO SSS this academic year, I am looking forward to completing my research in psychedelic sciences for McNair! In my spare time, I enjoy meditation, baking, listening to music, and watching my favorite shows like Midnight Gospel, Bojack Horseman, and Gravity Falls! 
Odia Kaba, Peer Mentor Odia is a child of immigrant parents from Guinea, West Africa. She is an honors student at Eastern Michigan University studying Quantitative Economics and International Affairs. Her career goal is to use economic data analytics to address the many disparities between African nations and the rest of the world. On campus Odia is a McNair Scholar, a peer mentor for TRiO SSS. Off campus she works as a Finance Assistant at Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW) and runs an Etsy shop where she sells stickers. Odia enjoys reading, traveling, and creative projects in her free time. 
Sean Harris, Peer Mentor My major is Art Education and I am in my senior year. I am from Southfield Michigan. This semester, I look forward to finishing up my last year of classes before student teaching. My favorite tv show is grown-ish. Peer Tutors
Daira Lloyd (she/her), Peer Tutor
[email protected]Daira is an Office Assistant and Peer Tutor in the TRIO SSS program who studies Information Assurance/Cyber Defense with a double minor in Communication and Computer Information Systems. Daira wanted to work for the TRIO program to give back for all they have done for her. She hopes to help students as much as those in the previous years have helped her. Being a first generation student herself, she hopes that she can become a resource that first generation students can utilize to become successful.
Outside of the office, Daira likes to read, write, and collect board games.
"You have bad days so you can love the good days even more"
David Ayala, Peer Tutor Mechanical Engineering
Portland, Oregon
I'm looking forward to having fun in my senior year, to enjoy every moment and to become a better version of myself. My favorite TV show is "Abbott Elementary."
Savannah Covault, Peer Tutor Major and Minor: Psychology/Criminology
Hometown: Farmington MI
I am looking forward to settling into my new apartment and learning more about psychology with my classes! My favorite television show is Jujutsu Kaisen
Tamara Blair, Peer Tutor Tamara Blair is in her third year at Eastern and is double majoring in Marketing and Children’s Literature with a concentration in publishing. She plans on joining the publishing industry after graduation, and her ultimate dream is to become an author herself. Her hometown is Byron Center, which is near Grand Rapids, Michigan. This school year, she is most looking forward to meeting other students with a passion for literature and being part of the book club again. Her current favorite TV show is Only Murders in the Building. Office Assistants
Arnecia Paul, Office Assistant My pronouns are she/her. I am from Eastpointe, MI. This is my junior year here at EMU and my major is Elementary Education- Early Childhood Comp. I am beyond excited about this school year, but one thing I am looking forward to is attending more of my major course classes to learn more about my field. My favorite tv show at the moment is Ms.Marvel!
Ashley Hafeli (She/Her/Hers), Office Assitant
Ashley Hafeli is an Office Assistant in the TRiO SSS program. She has been involved in TRiO as a student for three years and began working as an Office Assistant during her junior year at Eastern Michigan University. She wants students to know that college is a great place to begin practicing living as a young adult, so she highly encourages high school seniors to consider applying. Ashley is a Senior in Eastern Michigan University’s Music Therapy program and is looking forward to building her clinical skills as she continues her studies. She chose Music Therapy for her major because she is highly passionate about music, and she wants to use it to benefit others.One of Ashley’s favorite movies is “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” where Harry learns that “It is not our abilities that show what we truly are, it is our choices.” 
Caitlin Peterson (She/Her), Office Assistant I am from Detroit, Michigan. I am currently a senior majoring in Finance. For this upcoming academic year, I am looking forward to preparing for life after graduation and being engaged more on campus. My favorite TV show is Supernatural.
Chara Conway (She/Her), Office Assistant Biochemistry major, Criminology minor
I’m from Detroit, MI. This year I am looking forward to presenting myself in new spaces but especially for graduation in April. As of right now my favorite tv show is Bob’s Burgers.
Kiley Shay, Office Assistant Major/minor: Psychology/ Criminology
Hometown: Reading MI
What I am looking forward to this year: I am looking forward to all the memories and friends I am going to make this year!
Favorite TV show: Full House