Executive Director

Robert Vos serves as the Director of the GEAR UP EXPRESS program as well as the Executive Director of the Greater Miami Urban Education Pact. (For additional information about The Pact, click on the previous link.) Born in the Netherlands he immigrated with his parents to the United States in 1958. As English is his second language he understands the difficulties with which much of our local population is faced.

A tenured faculty member in the College of Education, Dr. Vos has served in numerous administrative capacities in the College including Chairperson, Associate Dean and Interim Dean. Currently, in addition to his administrative duties he teaches Learning Technology classes to aspiring and veteran teachers.

As an individual who was discouraged from attending college by one of his high school teachers yet was able to graduate with a bachelor's, masters and a doctorate degree, Dr. Vos feels particularly sensitive to that fact that encouragement goes a long way in making the dream a reality.

Dr. Vos believes that all children can learn, that all they need are appropriate guidance and opportunities. "All our energies in GEAR UP EXPRESS are expended toward the goal of increased student achievement," says Vos, "if we can prepare our kids academically, encourage and show them how they too can succeed in college we will have met our charge."

He can be reached at: 305.919.5836 or vosr@fiu.edu

Assistant Director

Artimus (Art) Trammell serves as the Coordinator of the GEAR UP EXPRESS program. As the Coordinator, he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the many components of the program. A typical day could include writing to the 175 students in the Algebra by 8 Saturday Academy, planning activities and securing locations for those activities, meeting to discuss current issues and planning future activities. "Much of my day is actually being engaged in some form of communication," says Trammell.

Art comes to GEAR UP EXPRESS via Student Affairs at Florida International University where he was Assistant Director of Pre-College Programs for 3 years. Trained as a Special Education teacher (at FIU), Art is particularly well equipped for this position.

A native of Miami, Art graduated from Norland High School in 1989 after which he began his program at FIU. Art is a published poet, performer, African drummer and a father of a beautiful little baby girl, Kaitlyn. He believes that the best way to learn is through experience, if Children can be provided a diverse and influential set of positive experiences learning doubles. He says, " Being a product of the surrounding Miami-Dade Community, I have grown to understand the need for good positive people and experiences in the educational processes of children. Quite often students in "inner-city" communities fall short of educational success because of the lack of experiences and positive role models at GEAR UP EXPRESS we have the opportunity to provide those social necessities in addition to educational and academic support."

He can be reached at 305.919.5836 or trammell@fiu.edu