Charles Black Lance
Director of TRIO Programs

Nick Heisserer
Upward Bound Assistant Director
Nick holds a Masters Degree in Management from the College of Saint Scholastica and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Social Studies Education with minors in History and Coaching from Bemidji State University. During college, Nick volunteered with and also worked two summers with Bemidji State University’s Upward Bound Program. After finishing his college coursework, Nick worked as a History Instructor and Special Education Aid at Bemidji High School for one year. Nick has been working with the Upward Bound Program since 2004 and enjoys working with high school students to help them see how much ability they really possess.

Stacy Marxer
Upward Bound Academic Advisor 
Stacy has been working as a program advisor with Upward Bound since September 2006. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Psychology:Human Services from Bemidji State University. While attending college, Stacy did a lot of volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, Kinship, and the American Red Cross. Before becoming a part of Upward Bound, she worked as the Director of Kinship of Todd and Wadena Counties, a non-profit youth mentoring program. Stacy enjoys working with students to help them realize that it is possible for them to achieve their dreams, whatever they may be. She currently lives in Browerville with her husband Jeff and their 3 children. In her spare time she enjoys going camping, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. 

Lane Beauvais
Upward Bound Academic Advisor

Bev Berg
Administrative Assistant of Trio Programs
Bev has lived with her family in the Brainerd area for twenty years. During that time, she has worked in a variety of administrative assistant or clerical related positions. She works for both the Upward Bound and Student Support Services Trio Programs. Bev and her husband Jeff have been married for 31 years. They have two grown children. She enjoys knitting, walking and watercolor painting.

Ben Shapiro
Mentoring and Parent Outreach Coordinator
AmeriCorps VISTA
Ben is an AmeriCorps VISTA working for Upward Bound. VISTA is often referred to as the domestic Peace Corps. Central Minnesota has 25 VISTA projects overseen by the Initiative Foundation of Little Falls, which provides all administration of the federal dollars used to fund VISTA initiatives. Ben grew up in Saint Cloud Minnesota. After high school, He attended St. Johns University for four years and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science, specializing in Political Science and a minor in Secondary Education. During college, Ben worked and volunteered with the CSB/SJU Upward Bound Program. Ben enjoys working with students and helping them get to the next level.