LeRoy Peters, M.A.

Educational Leader and Workforce Development Career Coach
Alsip, US.

About

Civic-minded and forward-thinking educational leader with nearly 20 years of experience directing student success, precollege, and workforce transition programs. Expertly leads compliance-driven initiatives, manages complex budgets, and cultivates cross-sector partnerships across K-12, CTE, and higher education to strengthen postsecondary access, persistence, and workforce readiness for historically underserved and underrepresented youth.

Work

The 7th University, LLC - Community Education Consultant Group
|

Founder & Chief Education Officer | Equity & Engagement Programs

Alsip, IL, US

Summary

Led the strategic development and oversight of educational and workforce-aligned sub-divisions, driving student success and expanding postsecondary access through innovative programming and partnerships.

Highlights

Established 7 new educational and wraparound service sub-divisions, supporting academic well-being, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and college/career development for diverse student populations.

Forged over 13 strategic partnerships with regional educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and CTE industry stakeholders since 2019, significantly expanding student success initiatives.

Drove a 65.2% increase in college enrollment and a 34.8% rise in CTE placement opportunities by cultivating robust partner networks and expanding partner-driven opportunities.

Increased college enrollment likelihood by 50-64% for students participating in 7U college campus tours and boosted awareness of college/CTE pathways by over 35% through structured experiences.

Reduced high school dropout rates by 27% and improved post-secondary/workforce readiness through targeted PreCollege and CTE outreach initiatives, as reported by district MTSS administration.

Secured over 4 contracts with secondary and post-secondary institutions and subsidiaries, generating revenue for workforce development and supplemental outreach support.

Purdue University Northwest
|

Director, TRIO Upward Bound | Educational Opportunity Programs | Student Affairs

Hammond, IN, US

Summary

Directed the TRIO Upward Bound program, overseeing operations, financial budgeting, and grant compliance to support low-income and first-generation high school students in preparing for college.

Highlights

Managed a $576,440 federal Upward Bound Program Grant, ensuring fiscal responsibility and programmatic compliance with U.S. Department of Education guidelines.

Contributed to the successful renewal of the Upward Bound Project Grant for an additional five-year cycle, securing continued federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education.

Exceeded annual enrollment targets by recruiting 130 low-income, first-generation, and academically at-risk students into the TRIO Upward Bound Program.

Cultivated strategic community partnerships, onboarding 3 additional underserved target schools into the PNW TRIO UB new grant cycle.

Achieved an 81% postsecondary enrollment rate for UB 12th-grade participants, exceeding the USDOE benchmark of 70%, and ensured 99% of students advanced to the next grade level or graduated.

Improved academic performance for 77% of UB students in AP/Honors courses, with many maintaining a GPA of 2.5+, surpassing the USDOE benchmark of 48%.

Joliet Junior College
|

Assistant Director | Educational Talent Search | Center for Multicultural Access & Success

Joliet, IL, US

Summary

Co-managed the TRIO ETS program, overseeing budget, compliance, and student support services to enhance postsecondary education access and career exploration.

Highlights

Co-managed a $327,000 TRIO ETS annual project budget, ensuring meticulous monitoring of expenditures and compliance with institutional and U.S. Department of Education guidelines.

Achieved successful completion of the first-year TRIO ETS audit by meticulously compiling APR data, validating participant eligibility, and maintaining accurate records for audit verification.

Recruited 500 eligible ETS participants, meeting federal and institutional mandates for underserved student populations during project fiscal years.

Facilitated the establishment of community educational partnerships with 3 secondary schools within the Joliet Junior College district community.

Achieved 100% secondary school persistence for non-seniors, surpassing the USDOE benchmark of 93%, and attained a 99% secondary school graduation rate, exceeding the 84% benchmark.

Increased senior completion of rigorous academic programs to 77%, exceeding the USDOE benchmark of 46%, and achieved a 92% postsecondary enrollment rate for graduates.

Moraine Valley Community College
|

Educational Specialist | PreCollege and Career Advisor, TRIO Upward Bound

Palos Hills, IL, US

Summary

Provided comprehensive pre-collegiate and career advising to a caseload of 63 TRIO Upward Bound students, fostering academic success and postsecondary readiness.

Highlights

Managed a caseload of 63 students, delivering comprehensive advising, tutoring, workshops, and enrichment activities to enhance academic success and resource access.

Implemented an Early Intervention Success System utilizing predictive analytics to identify at-risk students, enabling proactive intervention and contributing to decreased time-to-degree.

Improved academic performance for 74% of UB project participants, with an average cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher annually.

Achieved 100% secondary school retention and graduation for UB participants, exceeding USDOE benchmarks of 95% retention and 30% graduation.

Guided 63% of UB participants to complete rigorous AP/Honors secondary school programs, effectively preparing them for post-secondary enrollment.

Facilitated 81% postsecondary enrollment for UB seniors by fall graduation, surpassing the USDOE benchmark of 65%, and tracked 81% of participants attaining a degree within six years.

CHSD 218
|

Employment Career Coach

IL, US

Summary

Coached individuals on career development, job search strategies, and employment readiness.

Moraine Valley Community College
|

Student Engagement Specialist, Student Outreach

Palos Hills, IL, US

Summary

Led student recruitment and outreach initiatives, fostering community partnerships and enhancing instructional performance for the TRIO Upward Bound program.

Highlights

Increased Hispanic and multiracial student enrollment in the UB program by 170% (from 10 to 27), significantly boosting program diversity.

Achieved a 59% enrollment growth for 9th and 10th graders (from 19 to 32) through targeted UB program recruitment strategies.

Improved instructional performance for UB teachers through coaching, feedback, and skill-building, leading to enhanced learning proficiencies in AP/Honors courses for 84% of student participants.

Recruited, onboarded, and trained a dedicated team of professional staff, tutors, and mentors to deliver comprehensive academic, college, and career readiness support to UB student participants.

Served as the primary liaison between the college, TRIO program, and community partners, representing the program at events and school visits.

Perspectives Charter School
|

Community Outreach Liaison

IL, US

Summary

Liaised between the school and community stakeholders to foster engagement and support educational initiatives.

Utilivate Technologies, LLC
|

Marketing and Sales Consultant

IL, US

Summary

Provided consulting services to enhance marketing strategies and drive sales growth for clients.

Metropolitan Bank Group
|

Internal Auditor

IL, US

Summary

Conducted internal audits to ensure compliance with financial regulations and operational policies.

Bank One (Chase Bank)
|

Financial Services Professional

IL, US

Summary

Supported banking operations and provided client services within a financial institution.

Volunteer

National TRIO DAY Committee
|

Member

IL, United States of America

Summary

Contributed to the planning and execution of National TRIO Day initiatives.

Moraine Valley Community College
|

TRIO Student Support Services - Higher Education Symposium Committee

Palos Hills, IL, United States of America

Summary

Contributed to the organization of the Higher Education Symposium for TRIO students.

Moraine Valley Community College
|

TRIO Student Support Services - Student Success Advisory Committee

Palos Hills, IL, United States of America

Summary

Advised on strategies to enhance student success within TRIO Student Support Services.

Moraine Valley Community College
|

DREAM Program - Student Affairs Committee, Member/Mentor

Palos Hills, IL, United States of America

Summary

Served as a mentor and committee member for the DREAM Program, focusing on student affairs.

Moraine Valley Community College
|

BOSS Program - Men of Color Student Success, Member/Mentor

Palos Hills, IL, United States of America

Summary

Mentored and supported men of color in achieving academic and personal success through the BOSS Program.

MAEOPP: Organized TRIO
|

Conference Committee Member

IL, United States of America

Summary

Contributed to the organization of the MAEOPP conference focused on expanding educational opportunity and success.

Education

Governors State University
IL, United States of America

M.A.

Educational Leadership Administration

Publications

The College & Career Readiness Symposium, Educational Empowerment Tour

Published by

Roosevelt University

Self Aware or Self Resisting: Are You Fostering Positive Equity in the Classroom?

Published by

Black Educational Advocacy Coalition (BEAC), Equity Conference, University of IL.

Creating an Equitable and Trauma Informed Classroom

Published by

Rich Township High School District 227 Articulation/Winter Institute Day

The Voice: Amplifying Youth's Presence in Today's Political Climate

Published by

Delta Sigma Theta, JASSAC Foundation, Inc., Youth Empowerment Conference at Colin Powell School

Where are the Revolutionaries?

Published by

Student Leadership Conference at Purdue University Northwest Association

The Purpose of Education

Published by

Joliet Central High School

Get In Where You Fit In: A Career Exploration

Published by

Joliet Central High School's Career Day

The Purpose of a Mentor

Published by

Dwight D. Eisenhower High School

Unequal Opportunity: Race and Education

Published by

Moraine Valley Community College, TRIO Student Empowerment Series

Empowerment Through Diversity and Inclusion

Published by

Black Minds Empowered Dialogue Conference, Moraine Valley Community College

Pathways to Meeting the Higher Educational Challenge

Published by

Youth Empowerment Conference at Community High School District 218

The Minority Male Experience

Published by

Higher Education Teaching and Learning Summit, Moraine Valley Community College

The Five Major Themes that Affect Degree Completion

Published by

Higher Education Teaching and Learning Summit, Moraine Valley Community College

Certificates

Code of Conduct Training
Supervisory Skills Series
Customer Service Training
Title IX
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) Financial Aid
ACT Administrator
QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Program
Child Sexual Abuse Training
Career Connections and Workforce Development Training

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Strategic Planning, Visionary Leadership, Innovation, Results-Driven Leadership.

Program Management

Program Oversight, Multi-site Operations, Performance Management, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Continuous Improvement, Program Evaluation.

Partnership Development

Community Partnerships, District Partnerships, Industry Partnerships, Stakeholder Communication, Wraparound Student Support, Student Recruitment, Outreach.

Educational Program Design

High School Course Alignment, Workforce Pathways, Career Readiness, Post-Secondary Education, CTE Priorities.

Grant Management & Compliance

Federal Grant Compliance, State Grant Compliance, TRIO Programs, U.S. Department of Education Regulations, Audit-Ready Reporting.

Financial Management

Budget Development, Fiscal Controls, Reconciliation, Expenditure Tracking.

Team Leadership & Development

Recruitment, Supervision, Performance Evaluation, Coaching, High-Performing Team Development, Culturally Competent Teams.

Equity & Inclusion Strategies

Equity-Driven Access, Student Persistence, Student Success Strategies, Underserved Youth Support.

Student Affairs & Support

Student Success, Precollege Programs, Workforce Transition Programs, Postsecondary Access, Workforce Readiness, Academic Advising, Career Counseling.

Data Analysis & Reporting

Outcome Monitoring, Performance Reporting, Data-Informed Insights, Impact Tracking, Program Fidelity.

Interests

Education & Social Equity

Dollars & Degrees of Separation, The State of Black & Brown Males in Peril, The Fatherless Male Experience, The New Jim Crow, The Economic Journey of Black America: From 1619 to Now.

Learning & Development

Intellectual Warfare, The Innovator's Mindset (Empower Learning, Unleashing Talent), The Structure of Success, How Our Rights Went Wrong.

References

Carolyn Basley

Director of TRIO Programs, Roosevelt University

Raymond Thomas

Creative Director, Chicago History Museum (Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute)

Dr. Johnnie Thomas

Superintendent, Rich Township High School District 227

Dr. Stephen Bournes

Superintendent, School City of East Chicago

Dr. Anita Rice

Superintendent, Lincoln Elementary School District 156

Jyoti Rao

Pipeline Partnership Administrator, Illinois Tollway

Terrell Spurlock, Jr.

President (Electrical Trade), Power of People Community Initiatives, Inc

Misty Williams

Director of TRIO Upward Bound, Moraine Valley Community College

Chet Shaw

Dean of Student Services, Moraine Valley Community College

DeAndre Butler

Dean, Multicultural Access & Success, Joliet Junior College

Maseo Rainey

Director of Educational Opportunity Programs | Purdue University (NW)