Our team

As a lifelong resident of the city of Camden, Shadiyah is intimately aware of the unique financial, academic, and socio-emotional obstacles aspiring Camden city college students encounter on the road to success.

Her prior professional experience includes roles as Financial Aid Officer with Temple University, Senior Student Programs Coordinator with the Rutgers University-Camden School of Law, and as College Access Counselor for Project Home. Most recently, Shadiyah spearheaded the design and delivery of wraparound student support services for the Price Family Fellows program at Rutgers University, where she played an instrumental role in project management, budgeting, growth & sustainability.

Shadiyah completed her undergraduate studies at Rutgers University-Camden before earning her Masters of Science in Education Leadership & Administration from Nova Southern University.

Jiovany is a dynamic and results-oriented professional with a track record that reflects his unwavering commitment to leadership, sales excellence, and community engagement. Armed with the personality traits of a "Commander," Jiovany combines charisma, energy, and a strategic mindset to achieve remarkable results. While being mission-driven, he's not one to shy away from challenges, but rather thrives in competitive environments.

Jiovany's extensive experience ranges from founding and growing a successful business to excelling in high-stakes sales and leadership roles in the telecom industry. He has amassed over $750k in telecom sales as an account manger. As the Founder of Tastebuds Tacos, he turned a modest taco truck into the "Best Tacos in Hoboken" in 2021, generating six-figure revenues and exceeding targets, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. His exceptional communication and leadership skills shine when working with like-minded individuals, making him a natural leader.

Jiovany's identity is deeply rooted in his Taino heritage, strong work ethic, instilled by his parents and fortified by his entrepreneurial endeavors. He is not just a dedicated worker but a visionary leader with a mission to achieve results that break generational curses and secure lasting prosperity. His unwavering belief in the greater good and his drive to ensure a comfortable retirement for his parents exemplify his character and values.

His soft skills, including clear communication, organization, and time management, are complemented by his empathetic awareness, instilling trust and confidence in those he leads. Jiovany is a leader who believes in the greater good and continually strives to create a positive impact in his work and beyond.

Kelly is our Recruitment and Enrollment Specialist. Utilizing her years of experience with customer and client care to assist prospective students with program questions and potential roadblocks as they pursue degree obtainment. Kelly worked as a production chef for over 10 years while working towards her degree in hospitality management but life got in the way and she was unable to complete her education. In early 2022 she began her pursuit of degree attainment as a student of Degree Forward! She fully understands the journey as a returning adult learner.

Outside of her professional life, she is a wife, mother to six amazing humans (plus a son-in-law), and 3 cats! Life is very busy with her kids active in travel soccer, swim team, and robotics, plus her pursuits of long-distance running and cycling. Kelly also is active with a local non-profit Rock CF as a lead volunteer for their half marathon hosted on Grosse Ile along with other fundraising efforts to support those living with Cystic Fibrosis. One of her favorite ways to unwind and step back from busyness is to go off the grid camping with her family.

Micaelly is Trio's Operations Associate and will support our sites on the ground across key operations functions. She is currently a student at Duet completing her Southern New Hampshire University degree in Logistics and Operations. She was an educator in early childhood development for six years and also has past experience as a graphic designer.

Being herself a current student at Duet, Micaelly shares the experience of students at Trio-launched sites who are looking to thrive and succeed by achieving their higher education goals.

Talisha Brown is the Student Support Specialist for Degree Forward. She is the first graduate of the Degree Forward program – earning her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management in October of 2022.

Before earning her BA with Southern New Hampshire University, Talisha had already earned an Associate’s degree in science from Wayne County Community College District. Additionally, she received her nursing license from the Detroit Business Institute.

Talisha most recently worked as a school nurse for Detroit Public Schools Community District. Her career in nursing has spanned serving in various industries including, education, corrections, mental health, and clinics.

Talisha is a lifelong learner and prides herself in taking on challenging opportunities. She set records with her accelerated persistence in our program by completing a total of 50 competencies in one term. With only 10. competencies remaining in the subsequent term – her coursework was completed within the first week of her second term.Talisha is the perfect example of the level of commitment, hard work, and rigor it takes to succeed in this program. In her new role as Student Support Specialist, she will be coaching students to reach their goals!

Maurene Burrell-Harris, MPA was born in the city of Newark, NJ. She is a wife, an author, and a daughter to parents who are natives of Jamaica, West Indies. Maurene believes in the power of advocating for the voiceless, serving and giving back to the community. It is her desire to leave a lasting impact that will influence current and generations to come. Maurene has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in the dual majors of Criminal Justice and Sociology. In addition, she has earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Leadership of Public Organizations. Both degrees were acquired from Rutgers University.

Lily has a BA in Business Management and an MSc in Marketing. Her marketing career has taken her to diverse international settings, where she has focused on roles involving paid media and developed a keen interest in marketing data research and analysis. Growing up in a country where higher education was not easily accessible, Lily witnessed firsthand how access to higher education could transform a family's trajectory for generations. This personal experience drives her commitment to using her marketing expertise to impact underserved communities. Lily is excited to use her skills and experiences to support expanding access to higher education and creating opportunities for individuals from all walks of life to pursue their academic dreams and improve their lives.

Marcone is the creative director at Trio. As the head of marketing, branding, and design efforts across the network, his work focuses on recruitment outcomes for sites. He was previously a management consultant with EY-Parthenon, where he primarily contributed to education projects focused on strategy and financial analysis for school districts and public universities. ​

Through both professional and personal experiences, Marcone has become familiar with the structural barriers students face to pursuing their college goals. He sees Trio's work in higher education innovation as a powerful way to empower and uplift underserved working class communities.

Marcone holds a B.A. in Economics and Latina/o Studies.

Karen was born in Brooklyn and raised in Newark by immigrant parents. She is an ordained pastor who serves in a multilingual church in Newark, NJ, and trains youth and adults in leadership development. She enjoys developing programs that help others discover their untapped potential. Similarly, Karen is a founding Board Member of Leaders of the 21st Century whose mission is to develop civic-minded youth leaders in urban communities. In 2005, Karen graduated from Seton Hall University with a BA in Psychology and a minor in English. While attending SHU, she founded Haitian Organization Promoting Education (HOPE).

In 2015, Karen earned a Master of Divinity degree from Alliance Theological Seminary with a concentration in Church Development. In Karen's spare time, she enjoys cooking, watching movies, and spending time with her family.

Felecia is a lifelong educator and student champion and advocate. Throughout her journey, she has served in a variety of capacities such as: college recruitment, access, retention, advising, and student success. Felecia is the proud daughter of Nancy who decided to go back to college at the age of 40 to provide a better life and future for her family. Based on her personal and professional experience, Felecia has devoted her career to helping others have access to equitable opportunity to achieve their greatest postsecondary aspirations regardless of race, zip code, or socioeconomic status. Felecia has called CT home for many years and she is honored to offer CT’s working adults an innovative post-secondary educational experience that combines access to affordable education along with meaningful holistic support to create unparalleled opportunities for college degree completion, career advancement, and a critical path to economic security and upward mobility. Felecia earned her BS from the State University of New York Plattsburgh and her MS from the University of New Haven.

Chris is a co-founder and CEO of Trio New College Network. He is also the CEO of Empower Schools, Chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, and a lecturer at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. He has been at the forefront of several movements to expand educational opportunity and improve schooling and has been the founder of three successful non-profit education innovation and policy organizations.

Chris is a Partner Emeritus at Bessemer Venture Partners where he helped entrepreneurs build biotechnology and healthcare companies and began his business career as the founder and CEO of GMIS, a medical software company that became the leader in its field and a publicly traded company. Chris has been active in civic and political life in Massachusetts. Chris and his wife live in Boston where they have raised five children.

John is a co-founder of Trio New College Network. After teaching middle school math & science through Teach for America, John went on to work on expanding access to college for non-traditional students as a Senior Innovation Research Associate at Southern New Hampshire University's Sandbox Innovation Center.

​At the Innovation Center, John got the opportunity to work first-hand with SNHU's pioneering community partner programs across the country, and became convinced that their innovative model had the potential to transform higher education. He is passionate about building an equitable higher education system that gives every student the opportunity to lead a choice-filled life.​

Courtney is the Recruitment Coordinator for Trio that was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She is an alumna of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA  (Go Owls!). She characterizes herself as a sporty family oriented foodie. She is a huge Yankee, NY Giants, and Knick fan and grew up playing sports. Her family is huge in her life and she has a daughter named Kyla. If you ever need restaurant recommendations, she is the best person to ask.Early in her career she had years of retail experience which has supported her background in customer service. She then went into education by working for South Bronx Job Corps and NYC Data Science Academy as a Career Service Advisor and Senior Admissions Advisor. Trio Network stood out to her because it helped people like her. Wanting to make an impact in urban communities by being a part of a company that puts higher education at the forefront, she has been with Trio for a little over a year now accomplishing that desire. Currently she is working to assist our New Jersey and Connecticut sites as well as Trio's collaboration committee. Her goal is to support and anchor all of her relationships, whether it's with site leaders, management, or interested students.

Dr. Henry is an experienced Student-Centered Educational Leader with a demonstrated history of working in K-12 schools, non-profit organizations, out-of-school time sectors and various colleges. She has been in the Educational Field for 15+ years and has worked for well known organizations such as Focus: HOPE, Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), Wayne County Community College and Cornerstone Schools.

Dr. Henry has a strong educational background with an earned Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational & Educational Leadership from Oakland University. The knowledge and skills gained in the doctoral program enhanced the academic training she received earning her Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree (also from Oakland University), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and Bachelor of Science in Accounting degrees from Wayne State University.

Driven by a profound belief in the power of education to change lives, Jason embarked on a career in student affairs and higher education. His journey began with a deep-seated desire to provide students with unparalleled opportunities, particularly in the realms of graduate and international programs. Witnessing the impact of personalized support and guidance on students' academic and personal growth has been the driving force. Joining FFCT was a natural fit for him. He believes in their unwavering commitment to student success aligns seamlessly with his own values and aspirations. He is particularly drawn to FFCT's student-centered approach, which prioritizes individual growth and development. As an enrollment manager, he is eager to challenge himself in this new role, contributing to FFCT's mission of empowering students to achieve their fullest potential. Outside of the office, he finds joy in spending quality time with loved ones. His girlfriend (Ny), a dedicated special education teacher, and him both share a passion for making a difference in the lives of students. Together, they prioritize family and cherish moments of togetherness. Jason received his Bachelor's of Arts degree in Philosophy & Religion from Albertus Magnus. In 2021, Jason graduated from the University of Bridgeport earning his Master's degree in Education with a specialization in Student Affairs Administration and Leadership. He is currently enrolled at the University of New Haven pursuing his second master's degree in Business Administration.

Kadeem is a recruitment advisor who has worked in admissions since 2017. His admissions experience in the public and private sectors gives him a well rounded understanding of how the traditional colleges effect students. With a combination of his interpersonal skills and practical experience he able to empathetically connect with students, illustrate benefits of being a student with Trio, and guide them to a path to reach their acedemic and/or professional goals.

A lifelong Michigander, Ebony holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Michigan State University and has built her career by offering creative, strategic marketing and communications solutions to nonprofits and community-driven organizations. Ebony is passionate about the empowerment of underserved and historically excluded communities. Because of that passion, she has served on various DEI and advocacy teams throughout her career, with a focus on identifying advancement pathways and professional development opportunities for people of color.

Ebony carries with her an enthusiasm for arts, crafts, and design. With childlike curiosity, she regularly seeks out ways to continue learning and growing, often finding her next lesson right in her hometown, Detroit. Ebony is a 2015 BUILD Institute graduate and in 2019, she completed Michigan Women Forward’s “Woman Up and Grow” Entrepreneurship Program. She is the owner of Alvin & Dianne Design Studio, and in 2020, some of her recent artworks were featured in exhibits at Michigan State University's Kresge Arts Center.

Alnisa is the Office Manager at Gateway U, and a proud Newark native. Throughout her life she has always enjoyed giving back to her family and community. She believes it's better to give than to receive, and is always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. She has helped orchestrate multiple community events in the city of Newark. She is one of the founding members of nonprofit organization The Outreach Experience LLC, where she serves as Director of Outreach Coordination. Alnisa also enjoys developing training procedures to help future employees in the workplace have all the tools they need to be successful in their respected job roles.

Nkosi is an academic coach for Degree Forward. Before he began this journey, he was a new and used car salesperson with LaFontaine Automotive Group for nearly 2 years. He has 15 years of experience in retail and sales management. In the past, he passionately pursued post-secondary education in the field of music education. Though, he did not complete his B.A. in Music Education, Degree Forward is his opportunity to return to learning and pursuing education again.

Some of his hobbies include traveling and performing music. He is a jazz musician and specializes in woodwind instruments (namely saxophone) and plays some brass instruments, guitar, bass, and piano. He enjoys performing in both private and professional settings.

What he hopes to gain from his journey at Degree Forward is an opportunity to reach people and help them pursue their dreams. With his educational background, he has had experience working with students from various walks of life. From those experiences and more, it became his passion to help shine the light on people who have a desire to learn and pursue their goals.

Sidia leads the charge in providing Camden U students with comprehensive academic support and career counseling services.

Previously, as a Teach for America fellow, Sidia served as a Secondary Science teacher for Baltimore City Public Schools. Sidia also served previously served as Secondary Math Special Education Teacher with DC Prep Edgewood Middle School.

Sidia is a homegrown product of the Camden city school district. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Education Leadership from Johns Hopkins University.

Saymah is the Executive Director for the Newark site, Gateway U. Saymah is a lifelong educator and proud Newark native. Saymah has served as part of the founding team for charter schools operated by Success Academy Charter Schools in the Bronx as well as Rocketship Public Schools in DC. Throughout her journey, she has served in various capacities, including senior leadership, school culture and climate, family engagement, and school operations. Saymah is a steadfast family and community advocate and her body of work serves as exemplars for building deep relationships with students, community organizations, and community leaders.

Saymah received her Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Howard University.

Wes is a co-founder of Trio New College Network. He was formerly a management consultant with Accenture and then made an early career change and spent 4 years teaching AP Physics and AP Calculus at Chelsea High School, where he also served for a year as chair of the Math Department. He is a proud alumnus of Teach for America Massachusetts.​

He became frustrated that his smart, capable, hard-working students would do well in his classes but then would face so many barriers and challenges when they moved on to college. He is passionate about helping more students achieve postsecondary success and access a meaningful career.

Laura Polega is a native of Huron County, Michigan. She grew up in Port Austin, the Tip of the Thumb in Michigan, graduated from Michigan State University, and resides in Unionville with her husband, Brad. Together, they raised two independent daughters who grew up showing livestock and playing sports. They have instilled in their daughters the values of education and independence, as being important to success in life.

Laura has been involved in the world of education for many years and has been an entrepreneur in the Thumb of Michigan for most of her adult life. She is dedicated to helping others become the best versions of themselves with involvement with a local 4-H group, serving on an advisory board for the Tuscola Technology Center, belonging to Sebewaing Rotary, and supporting local youth in many community activities. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and home improvement projects.

Laura has a passion for education and knows that education can benefit individuals who strive to make Huron County a place where people can live, work, and raise a family, in a place that she calls “home.” She loves being involved in making Huron County a desirable place to not only stay after high school completion but to return to, after leaving for college or other reasons. Her mission is to help educate the residents of Huron County and she is excited to begin her work with Degree Forward to aid in the post-secondary advancement of the residents of Huron County.

Rosie joined the team as a Senior Manager. Her work focuses on expanding Trio's impact through driving growth strategy, supporting best-in-class operations at Trio's existing sites, and fostering healthy people operations dynamics internally.

After five years of managing endowment portfolios for college and university clients as an investor at Cambridge Associates, Rosie developed a passion for increasing access to higher education and creating pathways for career development for students who face systemic and structural barriers. She is energized about forwarding Trio's mission to provide accessible, high-quality postsecondary opportunities at scale.

In addition to her work as an investor at Cambridge Associates, Rosie gained experience while in graduate school at several impact-focused education technology companies. She holds a BA in English and an MBA.

Megan is a highly organized professional with a Bachelor of Science in History from Central Michigan University. She has a background of over 17 years of Retail Management where she established exceptional customer relations and service.

Megan has a passion for designing and creating elegant promotional advertising and event materials.Megan is a huge supporter of continuing education. In 2022, she went back to school and completed a certification program in Digital Photography from Cornell University. She specializes in Nature Photography.

Her hobbies include traveling, hiking, and kayaking.

Led by a fire to eliminate barriers to access in education, Attallah joined FFCT as the Director of Student Success with over 10 years of experience in academic advising, teaching, coaching and development and leading in the fields of education and postsecondary access in K -12 education.

While pursuing her degree in Business Administration (focus in Management) at Howard University, Attallah fell in love with college access as an academic advisor with Howard University'sTrio Program, Upward Bound, then pursued  the work further with Yale - Bridgeport GEAR Up program as a MAXX curriculum instructor and academic advisor. Over the last 8 years, Attallah has worked as an educator and school leader as the Dean of College and Career Services and recently the Director of Deans of College and Career with Achievement First. She has an unwavering commitment to helping students achieve more.

Attallah's journey to FFCT is aligned to her deep commitment to supporting learners from all backgrounds in not only degree attainment but job placement and advancement. FFCT dedication to student success  connects organically with Attallah's beliefs about the power of education.

Outside of the office, Attallah enjoys spending time with friends and her big family. She has a grade school aged daughter and miniature poodle who keep her busy. She enjoys reciting original poems as a performance poet, being an active member in community and binge watching a good Netflix series.

Jauleesa Taylor is a dedicated advocate for family education and community empowerment. With a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management earned from Southern New Hampshire University via the Degree Forward program, Jauleesa combines her passion for healthcare with her commitment to helping others.

Her belief in the transformative power of education and her strong family values drive her to make a positive impact in the lives of those around her. Through her knowledge and compassionate approach, Jauleesa is on a mission to create healthier, happier communities for everyone.

Cynthia is a proud Bridgeport native. She has worked as an educator for 7 years in the classroom and as a school social worker for the Bridgeport Public School system. As a first-generation immigrant Cynthia values education and community and believes they go hand in hand. In 2014, Cynthia graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BA in English Literature and a minor in Latino Studies. After teaching for a few years, she went on in 2019, to earn a Master's in Social Work from Columbia University. Cynthia believes that educational access is the way to continue to elevate the potential of our communities.

Born in Chicago and “made” in Detroit, Dr. Wade is a first-generation grad student and a 2018 alum of the German Marshall Fund’s esteemed Marshall Memorial Fellowship. She holds a B.A. in Business Marketing from Michigan State University (MSU), and two degrees from Wayne State University (WSU), including an M.B.A. with a focus in Organization Development and a Ph.D. in Education - Learning Design & Technology. More personally, she is a wife, mother, expert instructional designer, qualitative researcher, and learning consultant who has spent the last 15 years using her superpowers for social impact in business, higher education, and non-profit organizations.

At her core, Dr. Wade believes that higher education is the passport to a better life and she is energized by the possibilities that come into view when this passport is extended to everyone. As the newest director on the Degree Forward team, Dr. Wade hopes to leverage her extensive knowledge of learning design in online environments and organizational effectiveness to drive program development and student outcomes.

Dr. Naimah Wade is the Director of the Teacher Pathways Fellowship at Degree Forward. In this role, she cultivates accelerated degree completion opportunities for aspiring teachers through partnership development and innovative program design. She is inspired by this work because it aligns with her passion for creating transformative learning experiences that equalize access to opportunity.

Diamond brings forth a wealth of practical experience and a deep commitment to supporting youth in their academic, personal, and social growth. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Communications from Kean University, Diamond's educational background is complemented by hands-on experiences in various educational roles. In her role as a 12th-grade English Teacher, she had the pleasure of working with diverse students, each with unique academic and socio-economic backgrounds. This experience allowed her to develop a strong desire to guide and motivate adolescents, not only academically but also in their personal and social endeavors. She firmly believes that education is the key to opening doors for better career opportunities.

Michael is a consultant to Trio. Previously, Michael worked at Duet, a nonprofit that partners with Southern New Hampshire University to help people enroll in and complete degree programs. Through his work, he has built relationships between the Duet program and various organizations, including Boston Public Schools (BPS), Boston Centers for Youth and Families, and several community based organizations.

Prior to working for Duet, Michael served as a Case Manager at Youth Options Unlimited Boston (YOU) where he supported young people, all of who were court-involved, gang-affiliated, or reentering the community from incarceration, to obtain educational and employment opportunities. Michael has also served as a Legislative Aide to former Massachusetts State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and as a Partnership Specialist with the United States Census Bureau.

Michael brings a strong dedication to community-centered service, as evidenced by his professional and volunteer experiences. After leaving Boston to attend college, it was important to him to come back to the community he grew up in and positively impact young people of color. This commitment has led him to roles in community organizing, politics, and nonprofit case management and partnership development focused on helping young people achieve their educational and career goals.