Tammie Retherford
TRiO Director
Tammie is a first-generation college student from a low-income background. She has nearly three decades of experience in education, has a passion for supporting first-generation students, and understands the challenges associated with poverty. Tammie has a BA in English Rhetoric and Composition and an MA in English Literature and Language, specializing in writing instruction. She also holds K-12 teaching licenses in Hawai’i, Texas, Oklahoma, and Oregon.As a parent, teacher, mentor, and student, Tammie has a holistic understanding of the challenges that TRiO students face and what it means to succeed. She has a deep-rooted belief in the power of learning and mentorship as pathways to positively transforming one’s personal life. Her motto is: when the rest of the world says you can’t, find ways to show them how you can!
Tammie’s life outside work illustrates this motto. As the oldest of five children from a blended, low-income family, Tammie is amazed that she has traveled the world. She has lived in six states and seven countries, spanning three continents. Her goal is to step foot on all seven continents—with just South America and Antarctica left to explore. Tammie is proud to have two children who have shown the world what they can do; her daughter in Texas is a K-12 art teacher and US Navy Veteran, and her son in Kansas is an energy and mechanical engineer.
Hailie Mentz
TRiO Advisor
Hailie Mentz is a first-generation college student from a low-income background. She grew up in the rural town of Maysville, MO, which had a population of only 1,000 people. She graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a double bachelors in International Business and Marketing, followed by a Masters of Business Administration.During her undergraduate studies, Hailie interned at a digital marketing firm in Dublin, Ireland for 2 months. This was her first time on a plane, let alone out of the country. It’s something she never thought would be possible due to being a first-generation, low-income student. Accomplishing this made her passionate about helping others realize that they can achieve their goals, too, despite the background they come from.
When she’s not helping students accomplish their dreams, Hailie likes to cuddle with her cat while binge-watching a good TV series, go to concerts, try new restaurants, and travel to new places.
