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Meosha currently serves as the GEAR UP Success Coach at Pitt Community College in Winterville, NC.  She strives to create meaningful and supportive relationships with first generation students as they transition from high school to post-secondary education. Prior to this role, Meosha has worked as an Admissions Specialist, Financial Aid Advisor, and Veteran Affairs Coordinator at Edgecombe Community College for over four years.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from North Carolina Central University, where she is presently enrolled in the Higher Education Administration master’s program there.

Meosha practices transformative leadership with each student, building from the strengths and weaknesses they already possess to change a fixed mindset into a growth mindset.  She is passionate about allowing people to see their full potential and endless possibilities to achieve their educational and career goals.

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Currently, Dana serves as the GEAR UP Success Coach at Elizabeth City State University where she has worked for 3 years in multiple capacities. In the Success Coach role, Dana engages the experience of first-year Elizabeth City State University students. In 2018, Dana became an alum of the institution when she earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics. She is currently working on a master’s degree in Liberal Studies from UNC Wilmington. Dana is a first-generation college student which helps to fuel her passion for students fulfilling their purpose-driven goals. Dana has been a certified life coach for the last 15 years. Dana’s coaching philosophy is focused on person-centered attention, giving each student the space to express their thoughts and goals as she partners with the student to reach a greater reality.

Michelle Blount is the GEAR UP Success Coach at East Carolina University in Greenville. Prior to joining the GEAR UP team, she served as an Education Director with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain. She has also been a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and an assistant principal in school districts in North Carolina and South Carolina. She holds a BS degree from North Carolina State University in Textile and Apparel Management, a BS degree from East Carolina University in Mathematics, and a Masters’ degree from East Carolina University in School Administration.

Michelle has a passion for students. Her goal is to foster their growth and mold them to be responsible and successful. She strives to do this by helping students believe that they can achieve anything they dream of by offering the right support, motivation, and guidance.

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W. Scott Holloway is currently the GEAR UP Success Coach at The University of North Carolina Greensboro in the Division of Student Success. Before joining GEAR UP, he served as the Assistant Director for Academic Success Coaching at UNCG. He is a native of Miami, FL and has lived in Greensboro, NC most of his adult life. His specialization is providing optimum level support that helps students capitalize on opportunities that benefit them academically, personally, and professionally. He is strategic at helping students resolve obstacles that threaten to hinder their success. Scott firmly believes that each student has the right to develop to her/his fullest potential. He is committed to a holistic, individualized approach that is specific to addressing the unique needs of each student. As a former first-generation college student himself, his overarching goal as a GEAR UP Success Coach is to support first year college students from target high schools through high quality, high touch coaching, providing accountability, and facilitating successful personal development that ultimately leads to college graduation. Presently, Scott possesses degrees in Master of Speech Communication, Bachelor of Communication Studies, and Bachelor of Psychology.

Laura Arnold is the GEAR UP Success Coach at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Prior to becoming part of the GEAR UP team at UNCP, she worked as the Data & Accountability Specialist for Title III/ESL Department. She has also been an Administrative Assistant for the EC Department, Separate Room Testing Coordinator, and Web Master at a high school in North Carolina. Laura is an alum of UNCP where she earned a B.I.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in General Studies. She is currently working on her master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Education at Campbell University.

Laura has a passion for connecting with students. It’s her hope that she can guide her students to succeed while spotlighting their strengths and celebrating all their wins no matter how big or small with a reminder that even baby steps are steps forward.