Stephen Ponzillo, director of community services and public policy for United Way of Tampa Bay in Tampa, Fla., has been appointed director of the University of 91³Ô¹Ï’s TRIO programs, which currently include and .
A 1998 91³Ô¹Ï alumnus, Ponzillo also earned a master of nonprofit administration degree from the University in 2010. Following his graduation from 91³Ô¹Ï, he worked in St. Petersburg, Fla., as an AmeriCorps volunteer, teaching students from low-income families in a middle school and managing a Samaritan Inns transitional home for formerly homeless and addicted men. He has worked for United Way of Tampa Bay since 2005.
TRIO is a set of federally funded college opportunity programs that motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their pursuit of a college degree. The programs provide academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial guidance, and other supports necessary for educational access and retention. 91³Ô¹Ï’s TRIO program serves first generation and low-income students from the South Bend Community School Corp.
Contact: Stephen Ponzillo 727-479-5976