Meet Our Staff

LaTonya M. Nixon, Director
lnixon@email.pittcc.edu
252-493-7762

LaTonya M. Nixon has served as the Pitt Community College TRIO Director since 2005, but she has been a part of the TRIO community for 18 years. Mrs. Nixon has a very serious commitment to higher education and her desire is to see all students regardless of race, socioeconomic status, age or gender reach their educational endeavors. She leads an extraordinary team of professionals dedicated to serving the at risk student population with her motto: “We are here to serve you.”

Christy L. Moore, TRiO: Educational Opportunity Center Coordinator
cmoore@email.pittcc.edu
252-493-7503

Ms. Moore has a passion to see people reach their potential. She has worked with various populations and within various settings to include "at risk" males ages 12-18, ex-offenders, adoption and foster care, mental health, program development and evaluation as well as leadership coaching and training. Ms. Moore takes the lives of people very seriously and seeks to serve in a compassionate and non-threatening manner as she coaches people toward success.

Bershuan Thompson, Outreach Specialist (Pitt County)
bthompson@email.pittcc.edu
252-717-7454

Mr. Bershuan has worked with college students for the past 3 years, one year at Hawaii Pacific University and the past two years at Pitt Community College. He served as the Minority Male Mentoring Program Assistant and Assistant Men's Basketball coach prior to accepting a position on the TRiO: EOC staff in January 2012. He is passionate about helping students to discover their purpose and achieve their goals. Currently, he is working toward a Master's Degree in Communication at Hawaii Pacific University.

Sandra Saunders-Smith, Outreach Specialist (Edgecombe County)
ssaunderssmith@email.pittcc.edu
252-717-7352

Sandra Saunders-Smith joined the Educational Opportunity Center Staff in January 2011 after working three and a half years for Airboss Rubber Compounding in the Human Resource, Benefits, Account Payable and Safety department. Mrs. Smith is no stranger to TRiO; she brings five years of experience with her from the EOC Program at Halifax Community College. Three years as an Outreach Specialist and two years as the Director of the Program. She believes that education is the key to life; if you develop a passion for learning, you will never stop growing.

Derrick Hardy, Veterans Outreach Specialist
djhardy169@my.pittcc.edu
252-355-9074 Ext. 221

Mr. Hardy started off as a social work intern for TRiO: Educational Opportunity Center in January 2012. As of May 2012 he has now transitioned into the role of the Veterans Outreach Specialist for TRiO: EOC. Mr. Hardy is a charismatic and kind hearted person who enjoys helping others succeed. His educational background consists of a BSW in Social Work at East Carolina University.

Dionna Croom, Administrative Assistant
decroom476@my.pittcc.edu
252-493-7556

Miss Croom started off as a social work intern for TRiO: EOC in January 2012. As of May 2012 she has now transitioned into the role of the administrative assistant for TRiO: EOC. She is honored to be a part of the TRiO family and looks forward to giving her all to be of assistance. Her educational background consists of a BSN in Nursing at North Carolina A&T State University and a BSW in Social Work at East Carolina University.