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 Notre Dame’s TRIO programs, which currently include Educational Talent Search and Upward Bound.
A 1998 Notre Dame alumnus, Ponzillo also earned a master of nonprofit administration degree from the University in 2010. Following his graduation from Notre Dame, 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. Notre Dame’s TRIO program serves first generation and low-income students from the South Bend Community School Corp.
Contact: Stephen Ponzillo 727-479-5976