Upward Bound Programs Staff

• Upward Bound Programs activities
• Eligibility for high school students in our target schools (Aberdeen, American Falls, Blackfoot, Century, Firth, Highland, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Shelley High Schools)
• Jobs for college students and instructors working with our Saturday and Summer Academies

Danielle is a first-generation college graduate from a low-income background, a TRIO alumna, and an advocate for students from backgrounds like her own. After growing up in rural Appalachia, becoming a TRIO McNair Scholar at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) was critical to her success in attending graduate school. She graduated summa cum laude from IUP with BAs in Philosophy and English and went on to earn her Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 2014. She then taught and researched at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Mississippi State University. At Mississippi State, Danielle was a philosophy professor and the Undergraduate Coordinator for philosophy majors. Her love for Upward Bound and decision to return to TRIO was inspired by her four summers working as an academic and residential counselor and as a philosophy instructor for the Upward Bound program at Saint Francis University. She has been with the ISU TRIO Upward Bound Programs since 2020.

• Upward Bound Programs administrative questions
• Campus and Community Partnerships for programming and internships

Meagan earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Grand Canyon University in 2022. She is currently pursuing her Master’s of Education in School Counseling.

A former teacher, Meagan is passionate about inspiring students to continue their education. Coming from a low-income background, her journey to higher education was not straightforward. In fact, after her first semester of college, she dropped out. With low test scores and a 1.2 GPA, earning a degree felt like an insurmountable challenge.

However, after some tough but transformative conversations with professors at her local community college, Meagan realized her potential. She went on to attend Grand Canyon University, where she graduated with a 4.0 GPA, summa cum laude, and made the President's List every year. She also currently holds a 4.0 in her Master’s program. This experience solidified her belief that everyone is capable of achieving much more than they realize.

Meagan maintains a curious spirit, always eager to learn about new people, places, ideas, languages, and cultures.

• Upward Bound Programs Saturday and summer programming
• Campus and community partnerships for student activities

Steven Moldenhauer graduated from Idaho State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre. From there he started his professional journey at Umpqua Community College, in Oregon, as an ETS Advisor. While at UCC, he took part in the leadership program offered there as well as the 2019-2020 NAEOP Emerging Leaders Institute cohort. Steven is currently the Volunteer Auctioneer and Fundraising Specialist for the Friends of NAEOP (FoN). He is also currently the producer and Co-Host of "What's Your Why?!" a podcast for the modern day TRIO Professional. Steven has had amazing opportunities to grow over his career and has adopted this philosophy, “All of us become leaders at any given point in our lives, at any given time. Good leadership looks like great teamwork. No matter your position, you have the opportunity to make a difference, so make it.”

• TRIO Pre-college Youth Programs
• Eligibility, applications, and benefits of participating
• How to apply for college, financial aid, and scholarships
• Paid teaching and/or tutoring opportunities
• The Upward Bound Programs' six-week Summer Academy

Val Williamson started his journey with TRIO in the summer of 1989 when he enrolled in the Upward Bound program as a freshman in high school. He loved being a part of the program and continued to work for Upward Bound and Student Support Services as a tutor/mentor and instructional leader while in college. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, he taught mathematics, STEM, and career exploration for approximately 20 years in Idaho and Wyoming school districts. Val later returned to Upward Bound, teaching mathematics, STEM, and robotics during the summers. In 2019, he helped coach TRIO's robotics team. Val has endorsements in secondary mathematics, special education, and history. He loves working with TRIO and has been a living witness to the positive impact the program can have on the lives of students. TRIOWorks!