Stephen Ponzillo                         E-Mail: sponzill@alumni.nd.edu

Stephen Ponzillo is the director of Notre Dame TRiO Programs, Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search. A 1998 Notre Dame alumnus, Ponzillo also earned a master of nonprofit administration degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2010. Following his graduation in 1998, he worked in St. Petersburg Florida as an AmeriCorps volunteer, teaching students from low-income families in middle school and managing a Samaritan Inns transitional home for formerly homeless and addicted men. Ponzillo was director of community services and public policy for United Way of Tampa Bay from 2005 until June, 2011.

Rafael Marín                                  E-Mail:  rmarin@nd.edu

Rafael Marín is the Associate Director of TRiO Upward Bound Program at the University of Notre Dame.  He earned his bachelor's degree in Spanish Literature in 1993 from Indiana University.  He is responsible for assisting the Director in the administration of the program and for implementing and overseeing the day to day academic components including instruction, assessment, and curriculum development.  Before coming to Upward Bound, he served as an educational advisor for Educational Talent Search at the University of Notre Dame.  He also has worked as a Bilingual Resource Specialist at Riley High School in South Bend Indiana and served as staff supervisor for the Latino Cultural Center in Bloomington Indiana.
Rafael also likes to volunteer by teaching a Computer Literacy class at La Casa de Amistad, a "charitable organization that functions as a community center on the west side of South Bend."

Melissa Lindley                          E-Mail: mrichmo1@nd.edu

Melissa Lindley is Senior Advisor of the TRiO Upward Bound program at the University of Notre Dame. She attended Holy Cross College for two years before earning her bachelors degree in communications with a minor in psychology at Indiana University of South Bend. She completed her Master of Science in Education degree from Indiana University May of 2011. Melissa has been with the program for four years, where she serves as a counselor and mentor by planning educational and cultural workshops and trips, as well as senior society, where she guides seniors through their final year of preparation for college. She also leads special groups such as the book club and the student leader component, oversees the summer residential component, and supports the fundraising and marketing of Trio Programs and events.
Melissa served as an education reporter and a college admissions counselor before joining Upward Bound. She enjoys running, cycling, reading, writing, shopping and travel.

Debra A. Wisler                               E-Mail: wisler.6@nd.edu

Emily Saavedra

Email: saavedra.10@nd.edu

Administrative Assistant