The Laker Educational Opportunity Center (LEOC) provides information regarding financial and academic assistance available to individuals who desire to pursue a program of post-secondary education; provide assistance to individuals in applying for admission to institutions that offer programs of post-secondary education, including assistance in preparing necessary applications for use by admissions and financial aid officers; and provide information regarding financial and economic literacy to participants.

The goal of the LEOC is to increase the number of adult participants who enroll in postsecondary education institutions, and we strive to increase college and financial aid access to qualified adults who want to enter or continue a program of post-secondary education.

As advocates for access to higher education, we do not promote any one institution. We have over 1,000 participants that enter colleges nationwide if and when they are ready.

The Team

Our Partners 

Tarra Carson, MA, M.Ed.

she/her/hers

Assistant Director:

Tarra Carson, is the new Assistant Director of the Laker Educational Opportunity Center (LEOC) at Grand Valley State University. Tarra was recently the Area Club Director for the Boys & Girls Club Muskegon Lakeshore, where she has served for the past 2 1/2 years.  She is also the President/Founder of the HBCU Club of Muskegon, LLC which promotes college preparation programs and services to West Michigan Area Students in grades 7 through college since 2019. 

Tarra received her B.S. Degree in Leisure Studies from Grambling State University, where she is a 2nd generation HBCU graduate.  She received her MA degree in Special Education from Northeastern Illinois University and an M. Ed degree in Education Leadership from Western Michigan University.  She serves her community as a member of Theta Chi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a lifetime member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, and as a YEP Advisory Board member at Community Encompass, Michigan Department of Education- Out of School Time (OST) Grant Advisory Board, Michigan Afterschool Partnership Advisory Board, and Michigan’s Children Advocacy. 

She is the mother of 3 beautiful children. Tarra enjoys listening to jazz and classical music, presenting/facilitating at Out of School Time conferences and workshops, going to live concerts, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Office Address: 462C Richard M. Devos Center
Phone: 616-331-5362
Email: [email protected]

Empowering learners in their pursuits, professions, and purpose

Erika Jacqueline Téllez-González

she/her/ella

Program Specialist

Erika Jacqueline Téllez-González is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. She completed her bachelor’s degree in economics with an emphasis in Mathematics at National Autonomous University of Mexico. In 1997, she also attended National Autonomous University of Mexico in San Antonio, Texas to study English. It was during that experience when she fell in love with the United States culture.

Erika Tellez-Gonzalez is an educator by vocation. Her passion for serving others through education has kept her at Grand Valley State University since 2008. She first started with TRIO Upward Bound tutoring in Spanish and Mathematics. Later she started with the HEP program at Michigan State University, where she taught the Mathematic class for the GED. She also taught Spanish through the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan. Currently, she is a part-time Spanish interpreter for Liaison Linguistics and the Outreaching Specialist for TRIO LEOC.

Erika and her husband moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1998 where they raised a beautiful family with three children; Anamaria 25, Erik 21, and Manuel 18 and three dogs; Buddy 13, Maximiliano 8 and Coby 3. Also, Erika and her husband have owned a company since 2010. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and community, listening to the news, reading books and walking.

Office Address: 466C Richard M. Devos Center
Phone: (616) 331-5364
Email: [email protected] 

• Adult Learning Partners of West Michigan
• GVSU TRIO Programs
• GVSU Career Center
• GVSU Center for Adult & Continuing Studies
• GVSU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
• GVSU Admissions
• Kent ISD
• Sparta Adult Education
• Link Learning 
• Magic 104.9
• Alpha GR
• Office Success Program
• Steepletown Neighborhood Services
• GR Housing Commission
• 70x7 Life Recovery
• Baxter Community Center
• Hispanic Center of West Michigan
• Grand Rapids Public Libraries
• Muskegon Community College
• Muskegon Community Education Center
• Muskegon Rescue Mission
• Success Virtual Learning - Muskegon
• Fresh Coast Alliance