TRiO Student Support Services Staff Bios
Mr. Eric E. Moss, M.S.M.
TRiO SSS Program Director
mosse@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7303
In addition to being TRiO's program director, Eric E. Moss is an academic coach who assists students with test-taking strategies, concentration improvement and text anxiety techniques. His goal with each student he serves is to foster a success-driven mindset. Mr. Moss demonstrates his love for education by having earned an A.A. from Eastern Florida State College and a B.A. and M.A. from Warner University. He has also begun to research doctoral schools for his next academic endeavor. Mr. Moss spent four years in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Specialist. He has been the keynote speaker for a myriad of events including EFSC’s 2017 African American Student Union regional conference, and the 2018 Phi Theta Kappa new member induction ceremony.
Welmon V. Speed Jr., MBA
TRiO Assistant Director
speedw@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7348
In addition to serving as the TRiO program's assistant director, Mr. Speed is a Math Learning Specialist for TRiO students on a walk-in or appointment basis. He is proficient in Developmental Math thru Pre-calculus. He also can assist with Statistics and Trigonometry. Welmon is a retired NASA engineer. He received his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech and MBA from Florida Tech.
Sonja Jackson
TRiO Records Specialist
jacksons@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7374
Sonja Jackson, TRiO Records Specialist, joined TRiO SSS in May of 2022. Prior to EFSC, Ms. Jackson was employed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for United Space Alliance, where she served on the Business Operations Staff for 25 years. During her tenure she served in various functions supporting the Space Shuttle Program, to include Project Engineering, Procurement, Information Management, Contracts Management, Records Management, and National Records Archives (NARA). At the end of the Space Shuttle Program, she had an opportunity to work with Brevard County Public Schools and the Executive Airport in Titusville, Florida for Professional Aircraft Accessories (PAA). She attended Phillips College of Business (A.S.), University of Phoenix and Columbia Southern University, (B.S.) Her interest in continuous education led her to join the EFSC team.
Jennifer Polanco-Nieves
TRiO Academic Coach, Melbourne
polanco-nievesj@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5805
Jennifer Polanco-Nieves joined the Trio program in February 2024. Previously, Jennifer worked at Brevard Public Schools where she served as an Instructional Assistant, Spanish teacher, and Parent Liaison for the ESOL Program (English Speakers of Other Languages) and the Language department. Jennifer attended Universidad del Sagrado Corazon in Puerto Rico to earn a bachelor’s degree in Communications. She then worked as a journalist for a monthly newspaper. She holds a master’s degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University in Melbourne, Florida. After several years, she attended Eastern Florida State College and earned a certificate in Photography. Jennifer has a strong interest and experience in helping students succeed and achieve their goals. Working as an academic coach for the Trio program will allow her to continue helping students, get the resources they need, develop better academic habits, and graduate from college.
Denise D. Chatoor-Harris
TRiO Academic Coach, Palm Bay
chatoorharrisd@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5268
Denise is an Advanced Certified Writing Tutor, and has worked at EFSC's Palm Bay Campus since 2018, when she started as a writing tutor in the main Academic Success Center. Originally from the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago, Denise holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh Business School, Scotland. She previously worked in the retail, manufacturing, and financial services industries and served as an administrator and faculty member at SBCS Global Institute, where she worked with students from various backgrounds and cultures. Denise is involved in community activities and has volunteered with the City of Palm Bay. As a TRiO Academic Coach, she provides support and motivation to all students, helping them complete their degrees, as she believes that education provides opportunities to achieve goals.
Brooke Rael
TRiO Learning Specialist, Cocoa
raelb@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7349
Brooke Rael is the Administrative Assistant and a Learning Specialist on the Cocoa Campus. She is originally from New Mexico, where she graduated from New Mexico State University with her Bachelors of Criminal Justice in 2020. She first moved to Florida to work for The Walt Disney Company, but due to unforeseen circumstances, moved to Arizona about a year later. It was there that she began her Master’s program in Psychology with an emphasis in forensic psychology at Grand Canyon University. She graduated with her M.S. in Psychology in 2023. During this time, she moved back to Florida to work for TWDC again, but ultimately settled on the Space Coast and is proud to work for TRiO at EFSC, aiding her students to graduation and preparing them for success beyond college in any way she can.
Ryan Bradley
TRiO Math Learning Specialist, Cocoa
bradleyr@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7346
Ryan is a 2021 UCF graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and is a current Master’s student at the University of Florida for Materials Science and Engineering. During his time as an undergrad, he tutored math for EFSC and is deeply familiar with the curriculum offered at the college. He tutors developmental math, intermediate/college algebra, pre-calculus, trigonometry, and calculus as well as biology I and physics. Ryan has 6+ years of tutoring experience in these subjects and has gained proficiency in breaking down complex, abstract ideas into understandable concepts. If you need help with your math courses, stop by TRiO and ask for help!