Mark Cotter came to TRiO at Pellissippi State in August of 2007 with great hopes to inspire a love of learning in the students here.  He has strong ties to East Tennessee with three degrees from the University of Tennessee where he served as a faculty member in Collaborative Learning after six years with the TRiO program there.  Dr. Cotter has conducted research on the TRiO program that he was able to present in Edinburgh (Scotland), Prato (Italy), and Budapest (Hungary).  His research and publications also include Creative Drama and Problem-Solving.

 Dr. Cotter and his wife, Cindy, have two daughters in college.  His interests include fencing, kayaking, and travel, and he is involved in Children’s International Summer Villages.  Dr. Cotter is all that and a bag of chips.  Snap.

Dr. Cotter may be reached in his office at (865) 539-7266 or via email:  mscotter@pstcc.edu.

Yolanda McFadden is married to Dr. Ronald McFadden, Director of the Ronald McNair Program at UT Knoxville.  She hails from Athens, Georgia, where her family is very important to her:  she has 6 sisters, 1 brother, 28 nieces, 9 nephews and 2 great-nieces!  A TRiO success story herself, she served as a counselor in the TRiO Program throughout Northeast Georgia for over 23 years, where she assisted adult students enrolling in colleges and universities.  Yolanda received a B.S. degree from Morris Brown College and a M.A. degree from Piedmont College.

Ms. McFadden says she plans to improve the retention rate, increase transfers and expand the tutorial services of TRiO at Pellissippi State.  Since East Tennessee is different from Northeast Georgia, Yolanda feels that she is bound to discover the new needs and aspirations of these adult students.  "One of the most recent trends in Higher Education is group and peer learning," she says.  "Tutoring is one of those concepts and techniques that helps to facilitate self-directed learning."  Ms. McFadden lists her interest and hobbies as her family, meeting others, traveling, theater, and listening to classical and jazz.

Yolanda may be reached in her office at (865) 539-7265 or via email:  yhmcfadden@pstcc.edu.

Tracy Walker is originally from Madison, Wisconsin, graduating from Edgewood College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music and Theater Production & Design, and is now pursuing her Master's Degree in Professional Studies through MTSU.  An avid musician, she currently performs with The Atomic Horns Rock & Soul, Rhythm & Blues Show Band, and is often found on-stage or behind the scenes of the Oak Ridge Playhouse and other local theatres.

Tracy is excited to be a member of the TRiO Student Support Services Staff, and enjoys her interaction with students.  "Having worked at Edgewood College and the University of Wisconsin, I love working with people of all ages and backgrounds, and the feel of community within a family, group or organization," she says.  "I think TRiO is a wonderful program that provides fantastic opportunities -- I hope to learn more about helping people through our Department.  I've been where many of these students are, so I know what some of them are going through as they struggle through some of their classes."

Tracy and her husband Bill reside in Oak Ridge and are the proud parents of two daughters, Rebecca and Sarah.  They are tolerated by their cats Sasha, Toby, Bella and Gibby, their pot-bellied dachshund Max, and Mabel the wonder dog.

Tracy may be reached in her office at (865) 539-7267 or via email:  mtwalker@pstcc.edu.

Garrett moved to Tennessee from Atlanta, Georgia to pursue his dream of becoming an architect. Upon graduating from PSCC in May, 2010 with his degree in Art, Garrett will pursue his Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design through ETSU.  An active volunteer for the Hope Center in Knoxville, Garrett also enjoys traveling, painting, hiking, socializing, spending time with his 12 pets, making new friends, and acting in local theatrical productions.  Having been a TRiO member and a tutor, Garrett now provides essential support to the TRiO staff and students.

Garrett may be reached in the TRiO office at (865) 539-7267 or via email:  s_gshenderson@pstcc.edu.