Dear Colleague:

I am writing to introduce (or perhaps, reintroduce) you to the Association for Equality and Excellence in Education, Inc. (AEEE).  AEEE is the professional organization for staff in federal TRiO Programs (Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, Student Support Services, Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement, and Educational Opportunity Centers) in New York and New Jersey; our membership is also open to all professional staff of other educational opportunity programs in either New York or New Jersey, or in the tri-state area.

Currently, TRiO and educational opportunity programs work with students from middle school through college graduation, as well as returning students and other at-risk populations.  As you know, this work is challenging, and it is of great value to have a network of colleagues engaged in the same kinds of work to turn to with questions or concerns.  AEEE seeks to be the premier professional organization for professionals who work in opportunity programs.  To that end, we provide a variety of forums for professionals to engage each other, share best practices, and network.  As a member of the association, a wide variety of activities and opportunities will be available for you, including attendance at local, regional, and district-wide conferences and meetings, Alumni networks, TRiO Day celebrations, and student leadership events.

Please feel free to contact either our current President, Anthony Culpepper (culpeppe@adm.njit.edu), or myself with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Beth Olivares
President-Elect, Membership Chair
(bolv@admin.rochester.edu)

Mission
According to our by-laws, AEEE works:

"... to provide for employees of Federal TRIO Programs in the State of New York and the State of New Jersey and others concerned with providing equal access to education, a forum for collegiality, professional development, and all other activities that pertain to the interests and well-being of their programs and students." (Article II)

The AEEE community wants each student, especially those who have experienced personal, social, or economic hardships to succeed in an educational setting, and to successfully advance through the educational process. TRIO Programs and other educational opportunity programs in New York and New Jersey strive to provide students with opportunities to acquire the training and skills necessary to be successful members of the communities in which they live and work.

What can the Association do for you?
The Association provides its members with training, advocacy, mentoring, and a forum where individuals from various programs with similar missions came come together for mutual benefit.

AEEE ...

... helps provide a unified voice in the cause of educational opportunity, and furthers expansion of educational opportunity programs by providing opportunities to advocate on behalf of TRIO and other underserved students.

    ... facilitates communication and cooperation among persons working in educational opportunity programs in New Jersey and New York.

    ... furthers public awareness of the needs of disadvantaged students enrolled in or aspiring to post-secondary education.

    ... conducts meetings, conferences and charitable activities dealing with issues related to educational opportunity.

    ... provides members with important grant and policy-related information from the national advocacy organization, the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE).

    ... represents local issues and concerns at the national level by sending AEEE's President, President-Elect, and Immediate Past President to the Board of Directors of the national Council for Opportunity in Education (COE).