Postsecondary Leadership Success Program People
Class of 2020
Sophia Alston – Technical College of the Lowcountry, South Carolina
Dr. Sophia Alston is currently the Director for Continuing Education and Workforce Development at the Technical College of the Lowcountry. An alumna of Colgate University, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. She obtained a Master’s degree in Educational Policy and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. For over fifteen years, Dr. Alston has created and managed programs that support underserved populations. In addition to her work as an administrator, she has continued to express her passion for education by teaching for nearly a decade.
Carol Ash – Central New Mexico Community College, New Mexico
Dr. Carol Ash is the Dean of the school of Health, Wellness and Public Safety at Central New Mexico Community College where she leads, guides, and directs a faculty and staff team of almost 400 in the instruction of 49 career technical education degree and certificate programs at multiple campuses. Carol holds an Ed.D in higher education and organizational change from Benedictine University, a Master of Science in integrated marketing communications from Roosevelt University and a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications and media arts from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
Pam Carter – Community College of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dr. Pam Carter serves as Dean of Business & Technology at Community College of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA. With 23 years of higher education experience and 6 years of industry operations experience in contracting, logistics and human resources, Pam strives every day to make a positive difference in the lives of students because she believes education can change the trajectory of a person’s life. She earned her PhD in Business Administration (MIS and Organizational Behavior) from Florida State University, her MBA from University of Maryland College Park, and her BIS in Applied Business Communications from George Mason University.
William Castillo – Leeward Community College, Hawaii
William Castillo is the Workforce Development Coordinator at Leeward Community College’s Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Development. He has over 13 years of experience in education and non-profit organizations with an emphasis on adult education. William volunteers as the Treasurer for Hawaii ACTE and enjoys event planning and writing about food.
Emilie Cherry – Community College of Baltimore County, Maryland
Emilie Cherry is currently the Director of High School Collaboration at the Community College of Baltimore County. A Baltimore native, she has been a part of higher education for the past 12 years with the last seven years dedicated to Career and Technical Education programs. She serves as a liaison establishing and maintaining working relationships with Maryland county high schools, local businesses and community agencies. She is passionate about college and career readiness and student success through CTE programs. Emilie holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Frostburg State University and a master’s degree in Professional Studies with a focus in Leadership, Management and Education from Towson University.
Kimberly Dreaden – Indian Hills Community College, Iowa
Kimberly M. Dreaden graduated from the University of Florida with a Masters of Science in Agricultural and Biological Engineering and a minor in Soil Water Science. Before working at Indian Hills Community College as the Bioprocessing Program Director and head instructor, she worked in the biomanufacturing industry as a Research Specialist.
Shakari Fraser – Cowen Institute: Tulane University, Louisiana
Shakari is the Senior Manager of the Earn and Learn Program in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is responsible for ensuring program impact by implementing strategic goals and coaching the team to effectively hire, retain, and advance opportunity youth. She oversees the improvement of systems and program operations for Earn and Learn. Shakari is a graduate of Louisiana State University and hold an advance degree from Southern University at New Orleans. She is passionate about empowering young adults in New Orleans to advance along living- wage career pathways.
Kia Keyton – Greenville Technical College, South Carolina
Kia Fisher Keyton began working at Greenville Technical College in 2016 and is the Director of the Transitions Program. In her role as Director, she manages the program designed to provide 100 students enrolled in Career and Technical Education majors with support services and resources needed to complete their degree. Kia Keyton is an honors graduate of Clark Atlanta University’s School of Communications. She has a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre Arts as well as a Certificate in African American Theatre from the University of Louisville. She enjoys traveling, reading, going to the movies and seeing and performing in live theatre.
Josh Labrie – Northern Virginia Community College, Virginia
Josh has more than 15 years of experience in STEM education including nine years as a K-12 teacher in chemistry and physical science as and seven years in higher education. Currently at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), he is director of NOVA SySTEMic, leading the college’s STEM outreach efforts. While earning a bachelor’s in chemistry and a master’s in teaching at the University of Virginia, he conducted epilepsy research, worked for the VDOT Research Council and the School of Engineering in the development and teaching of engineering kits to foster interest and excitement in STEM.
Albert L. Long, Jr. – Southern State Community College, Ohio
Albert L. Long Jr, JD “AL” has over 25 years’ experience working within workforce development, juvenile and adult populations in the area of community corrections, various roles career technical education, secondary & post-secondary education as well as the development of diversity & inclusion initiatives. “AL” obtained his B.A. in Criminal Justice from Kentucky State University and shortly thereafter his J.D. from Salmon P. Chase College of Law and Northern Kentucky University. “AL” is currently an Instructor of Criminal Justice at Southern State Community College and serves as their Diversity & Equity Specialist, as well as working a Senior Consultant for The Correctional Management & Communications Group, LLC where he works in the areas of policy development as well as liaison for public, private and governmental entities to promote expand business opportunities.
Susan Moreland – Colorado Mountain College, Colorado
Susan is a higher education administrator and former senior military officer with years of experience in curriculum development, distance education, academic and student support, and human resource management. She oversaw career, technical and adult education programs across multiple campuses, ensured accreditation compliance and improved student outcomes. Susan now works at Colorado Mountain College as the Dean, School of Nursing, Health Science and Public Safety.
Brett Richardson – St. Louis Community College, Missouri
Brett Richardson has over 15 years in higher education from roles as a faculty member to leadership. Brett currently serves as the Manager of Career and Technical Education Partnerships and Processes for St. Louis Community College. His work revolves around administering the Perkins Grant and other state CTE funding sources. He supervises a dynamic team of CTE Retention Specialists who focus on improving retention and completion rates for CTE students. Brett currently serves as the Missouri Council of Career and Technical Administrators Post-secondary Cluster Chair. Brett has his undergraduate degree from Ball State University and his MS in Administration from Southeast Missouri State University.
Rick Ross – Valley City State University, North Dakota
Rick Ross is an Associate Professor of Career and Technical Education for Valley City State University, where his duties are to recruit and train trade and industry professionals to become teachers. Rick came to Valley City State University in 1995 to implement the universities new laptop university initiative. He was responsible for writing all training and conducting that training to faculty, staff, administration and students. In 1999 Rick became a full faculty member at Valley City State University in the Business Department, in 2001 Rick took over the Department Chair of the Business Department. Rick served as Chair of the Business Department for 4 years. Rick moved to the Career and Technical Education program in 2010 where he teaches classes, assess prior learning experiences and works one on one with teachers in trade in industry.
Adrian San Miguel – Idaho Career & Technical Education, Idaho
Adrian San Miguel is the Director of Postsecondary Education & Workforce Training for Idaho Career & Technical Education in Boise. Originally from Texas, he received his degrees from Baylor University and has spent the last 14 years working in higher education in Texas, Indiana, and Idaho. His career and passion have focused on serving special populations, nontraditional students, and diversity-related initiatives. He provides state leadership for Federal Perkins and Adult Education programs at the postsecondary level. He also provides oversight of programs that are designed to create awareness and a vision of equity for special populations and nontraditional occupations through Idaho’s Centers for New Directions. He also supports and provides technical assistance to Idaho’s six technical colleges for degree & certificate career & technical education programs and non-credit workforce training center programs.
Jared Scharpen – Minneapolis Community & Technical College, Minnesota
Jared has worked in postsecondary education for over six years, and in his current role as Career Coordinator for the Minneapolis Community & Technical College Career Services Department, he coordinates programming and services provided to CTE students. Given that the college identifies as a minority-serving institution, Jared has worked authentically towards empathic cultural fluency in order to equitably serve his students while coaching them along their career pathways. Jared also works with hiring managers and organizational leaders in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area to ensure pathways that value and include the students he serves.
Jason Simon – Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative, Kentucky
Jason is Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative (AMTEC) where he helps lead a multi-state educational initiative with over 70 educational and industry partners. He is especially passionate about bringing industry and education to the same table in order to fill the manufacturing skilled trade shortage across the US. Jason is a proud husband to his wife Anastacia and father to six beautiful children. He is also a Marine Corps veteran where he served with 1st Marine Division.
Alberto Urbina – Houston Community College, Texas
Alberto Urbina is a native Houstonian and former welder. He completed his associate degree from Houston Community College, bachelors degree from University of Houston, and graduate degree from University of Texas at Arlington. He has been an educator for more than 15 years. He now works as the Dean for Material Science at Houston Community College in Texas.
Laura VanWaardhuizen – Iowa State University, Iowa
At 17, Laura boldly declared she would not follow in her parents’ footsteps by becoming a teacher or going to Iowa State. After earning a degree in Textiles and Apparel, she worked in both the Quality Assurance and Design departments at Lands’ End. Feeling like something was missing from her career, she returned to college to became an Family and Consumer Science teacher. After 10 wonderful years teaching high school CTE, she has transitioned now to teaching future Family Consumer Science teachers at Iowa State (and cautions everyone to be careful what they say). Her “Why?” is to equip others with the tools to make conscientious choices and achieving their maximum career and life potentials. Laura now works as the Family & Consumer Sciences Education & Studies Program Coordinator & Assistant Teaching Professor at Iowa State University.
Kelly Washington – Altierus Career College, Florida
Kelly Washington is the Academic Dean at Altierus Career College, in Tampa Florida. She has worked in the post-secondary CTE space over eight years and was formerly the Vice President for Academic Advising at Zenith Education Group, now called ECMC Education. Kelly earned her Master’s in Curriculum and Teaching from Bowling Green State University. She has two children and loves to spend time with her family at the beach!
Brittney Williams – Louisiana Community and Technical College System, Louisiana
A native of Baton Rouge (LA), Brittney Williams is committed to strengthening the educational opportunities of students by assisting state leaders in both vision and scope. She earned her undergraduate degree with Louisiana State University and her graduate degree from Southeastern Louisiana University. Currently, she is completing her Doctorate of Education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Mrs. Williams worked extensively with the Carl D. Perkins Grant at Baton Rouge Community College for 10 years before joining the state’s career and technical education team at Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Outside of her role as a post-secondary leader, she is a devoted wife and mother of two.
Program Team
Lauren Fillebrown – Program Coordinator, Partnerships
Lauren Fillebrown is a graduate of Penn State University where she studied Agriculture Business Management. Lauren has had numerous internships throughout college including interning at USDA in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture as a Wallace Carver Fellow, Farm Staff at Weavers Way Farms, Philadelphia’s largest urban farm, and as a consultant to the National Association of Agricultural Educators. Lauren also has had teaching experience as she was a short-term Agricultural Educator. She has served as a Leadership Facilitator for the National FFA Organization and as the Project Specialist for the NJ Office of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Education. Lauren sees the value of Career and Technical Education, and desires to both advocate and educate the public about the benefits of CTE and CTSOs. Today, she has taken both her passion for agriculture and the skills gained through several leadership opportunities to ACTE where she is currently serving as the Projects Coordinator – Partnerships at the Association for Career and Technical Education.
Dr. Michael Wright – Program Consultant
Dr. Michael Wright, DTE, has been in the CTE field for 42 years, teaching at the high school, community college, and university levels, including 20 years in administration. Dr. Wright created and Chaired the Department of Career and Technical Education at the University of Central Missouri, founded the Missouri Center for Career Education through grant funding, and went on to become the Dean of the College of Education serving 10 years in this role before retiring. Dr. Wright received more than $10 million dollars in funding and has published numerous articles in professional journals and co-authored a middle school level textbook, Gateway to Engineering. Dr. Wright has received several awards for leadership in the field.
Advisory Committee
Bryan D. Albrecht, Ed.D. – President & Chief Executive Officer Gateway Technical College
Dr. Albrecht serves as the President and Chief Executive for Gateway Technical College. Gateway is located in Southeast Wisconsin and provides academic and workforce solutions for students and employers throughout the region. His experience has led him to testify before the U.S. Congress on workforce issues and as an invited speaker at the White House. Dr. Albrecht has been recognized as a Distinguished Educator by the International Technology & Engineering Association as well as a Distinguished Citizen the Three Harbors Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Most recently Bryan was presented with the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers Innovation Award.
Janet Zaleski Burns, Ph.D. – Clinical Professor, Program Coordinator Career and Technical Education, College of Education and Human Development, Georgia State University
Dr. Janet Zaleski Burns is a Clinical Professor and Program Coordinator for CTE teacher education at Georgia State University. She was the 2015 ACTE Postsecondary Teacher of the Year. She received the 2018 national PACE Division Innovation Award. Her research has been published in Career and Technical Education Research, Journal of Industrial Teacher Education, Community College Journal of Research and Practice, Business Education Forum, Human Resource Development Quarterly and Teacher Education Practice. She has provided leadership and professional development at the local, state and national level.
Charlene Dukes – President, Prince George’s Community College
Dr. Charlene M. Dukes is the president of Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) and has thirty years of progressive leadership experience and administrative responsibility in higher education. With approximately 40,000 students at 6 locations, including the Largo Campus, Prince George’s Community College offers 117 credit and workforce development and continuing education programs. In 2014, Dr. Dukes was the recipient of the Dr. Reginald Wilson Diversity Leadership Award presented by the American Council on Education, the Living Legacy Award presented by the Association for the Study of African Life and History (ASALH), and the Golden Hammer award from the Fuller Center for Housing.
Margaret A. Ellibee, Ph.D. – Chancellor University of Arkansas, Pulaski Technical College
Dr. Margaret Ellibee is Chancellor at the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College and has served in that capacity since 2012. Previously, Dr. Ellibee was Vice President for Strategic Effectiveness and Advancement at Waukesha County Technical College in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She has also served as State Director for Career and Technical Education with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Jerry Ellner – National Director of High School Programs, Universal Technical Institute
Jerry Ellner is the national director of high school development at Universal Technical Institute, the nation’s leading provider of training for aspiring auto, motorcycle, diesel, marine and collision repair technicians. Ellner began his career at UTI in 1991 as the first admissions representative in New England. He advanced to become the regional admissions director for the eastern United States in 2000, and the national director in 2007. In 2009, Ellner embraced the newly-created role of national director for high school development. In this role, his expertise in managing admissions and enrollment, and developing and fostering relationships with high schools has enabled hundreds of schools nationwide to better understand the value of a technical, STEM-based education. Ellner has been instrumental in the development of UTI’s successful STEM workshop programs for high school students and counselors – helping to further broaden their perspective on STEM careers.
Dick Lowe – Industrial Coordinator, Canadian Valley Technology Center
Dick develops and coordinates training for business and industry partners that is personalized and customized for their needs. He is involved in leadership and critical areas of workforce development for the Oklahoma community and economic development in the region. Dick’s background and relationship with key stakeholders provides the opportunity to assist in recruitment and retention of the workforce in our area.
Dr. Douglas R. Major – Superintendent/CEO, Meridian Technology Center
Dr. Major is Superintendent/CEO of Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater Education. He is actively engaged in leadership development and advocacy at the local, state and national levels. He is coordinator of the Association for Career And Technical Education’s Fellowship program and was recently elected to serve his second term as President of the Association for Career and Technical.
Victoria Seals – President, Atlanta Technical College
Dr. Victoria Seals is the sixth president of Atlanta Technical College and came to the College after serving several years at Gwinnett Technical College. She joined Gwinnett Technical College in September 2005 as an instructor for mathematics, advanced to Division Director for Arts and Sciences, was named Dean of Academic Affairs in 2011, and led Academic Affairs as Vice President prior to her appointment at Atlanta Technical College. In addition to leading the growth of the Arts and Sciences Division, Dr. Seals helped guide and develop Gwinnett Tech’s faculty and staff development program, as well as several student retention initiatives.
Dr. Joseph M. Sopcich – President, Johnson County Community College
Dr. Joseph M. Sopcich is the fifth president of Johnson County Community College. He has been with JCCC since 1992, serving over the years as Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Government Affairs, Executive Vice President of Administrative Services and Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer. He also taught as an Adjunct Professor in the College’s Business Division. Sopcich earned bachelor’s degree in American Studies, a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a PhD from the University of Kansas.
Monty Sullivan – President, Louisiana Community and Technical College System
Since 2014, Dr. Monty Sullivan has served as the President of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS). Prior to being appointed President, Sullivan was the Chancellor of Delgado Community College in New Orleans. Sullivan also worked at Louisiana Tech University as Director of the Center for Rural Development and as Director of Continuing Education at Louisiana State University.
Research Development Team
Research and Evaluation Partner
Steve Klein, Ph.D.
Director
Center for School, Family, and Community at Education Northwest
Contact Information: Steve.Klein@educationnorthwest.org
Dr. Steve Klein directs the Center for School, Family, and Community at Education Northwest. He specializes in the design of performance accountability, finance, and career pathways systems for career and technical education and the evaluation of career readiness and workforce policy initiatives. His expertise includes delivering customized technical assistance to support state agencies and educators in improving the quality and use of data; aligning career education and workforce development systems to improve student transitions; and using longitudinal education and employment data to assess program performance.
Dr. Klein holds a B.A and M.S. Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in K–12 Educational Policy from the University of California at Berkeley. When not at work he can be found in his workshop building Arts and Crafts furniture or practicing MIG welding.
For more information about Education Northwest, please visit www.educationnorthwest.org.
Stephen Coffee
Documentarian
Contact Information: srcoffee@chaosabatement.com
Steve Coffee is a freelance writer based in Northern Virginia. His diverse experience includes dozens of grants, federal contracts, marketing brochures, newsletter, technical analyses, white papers, over 100 original songs, a full-length folk opera for musical theater, and no doubt a few letters to the editor he’d like to have back. Visit www.chaosabatement.com for more information.
Class of 2019
Andrea Golden-Pogue, OU Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma
A devout believer that you have to touch a heart before you ask for a hand, Andrea loves people and it shows! Andrea Golden-Pogue is known for delivering high-impact, engaging workshops. She has worked extensively in healthcare, small business consulting, career and technical education, leadership and personal & professional development. She shares with all audiences her zest for life, her passion, and energy surrounding her desire to contribute and add value in every situation.
Andrea is a Registered Nurse and long time Career and Technical Education educator. She is also certified as a Personify Leadership Trainer and is a trainer/coach for the John Maxwell Team. Her philosophy of taking care of people translates into her teachings and coaching sessions. She contributes to teams and organizations long after the training is over. Andrea customizes programs and creates presentations for any and all groups. Continue to get to know Andrea at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-golden-pogue/
Andrea’s education includes a Masters of Science in Nursing from University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from East Central University. She is currently employed as a Nurse Educator/Healthcare Consultant with the OU Health Sciences Center. Prior employment includes the Oklahoma State Department of Career and Technology Education. One of her career highlights was serving on the Association of Career and Technical Education National Board from 2012-2015. She values Post-Secondary Education and encourages others to obtain certifications and licenses and/or degrees. Her mantra is “never stop learning!”
Learn more from Andrea in the video here.
Brandon Hudson, Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Tennessee
Brandon Hudson is the Senior Director of Workforce & Economic Development at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. He started his career in technical education as a high school business teacher and adjunct faculty member at a community college. He then took a job with the Tennessee Department of Education where he served as the State Director for two career and technical student organizations, SkillsUSA and FCCLA. After three years there, he transitioned into postsecondary CTE by serving as the Coordinator of Special Programs at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Nashville.
Brandon attended Middle Tennessee State University, earning an undergraduate degree in Business Management and a Master’s degree in Business Education. He holds an MBA from Bethel University and a post-graduate certificate in Community College Leadership from East Tennessee State University. He is currently enrolled in the Higher Education Leadership doctoral program at ETSU.
He and his wife Julia and live in Murfreesboro, where she is an academic interventionist. They have four dogs: Opie the Goldendoodle, Ozzie the Labradoodle, Roadie the poodle, and Olive the Australian Shepherd mix. They enjoy traveling, hiking, attending concerts, and attending MTSU football games. Brandon loves to golf and cook on his Big Green Egg smoker.
Learn more from Brandon here.
Bryanne Peterson, Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology, Virginia
Bryanne Peterson earned her Ph.D. through the Integrative STEM Education program at Virginia Tech where she now works as a Research Assistant Professor in the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology. Bryanne taught for over 10 years in Virginia schools prior to moving to Higher Education and holds five endorsements, four of which are in CTE. She is an ITEEA 21st Century Leadership Academy Fellow, VT Citizen Scholar, and a recipient of the SMA Leon von Autreve honor level 2 scholarship. Bryanne’s research interests lie at the intersection of CTE and STEM education; she examines how different experiences and pedagogical approaches affect student pathways to STEM careers.
Learn more from Bryanne here.
Carrie Scheiderer, Central Region Tech Prep Center, Ohio
Carrie Scheiderer has over 14 years of experience working in secondary and higher education and over eight years of post-secondary leadership and management experience. For the past seven years, she has served as the Central Ohio Tech Prep Consultant for Central Ohio Technical College in Newark, Ohio and currently serves as the Chief Administrator for the Central Region Tech Prep Center at Central Ohio Technical College. Carrie is a graduate of Ashland University, ACTE’s National Leadership Fellowship Program, Ohio’s Byrl R. Shoemaker CTE Institute, and The National Career Pathway Network’s (NCPN) Leadership Development Academy.
Scheiderer is ACTE’s Region 1 Vice President-Elect, serves on Ohio’s Career-Technical Administrator’s Executive Board, ACTE’s Region 1 Policy and Conference Planning Committees, and is also a member of Young Leaders of Licking County.
Learn more from Carrie here.
Claire Van der Plas, Colorado Mountain College, Colorado
Claire Van der Plas is an Assistant Dean of Instruction at Colorado Mountain College, Leadville, CO. The CTE programs she oversees include ones that focus on making the most of the campus’ unique location and resources, such as Ski Area Operations, Natural resource Management, Avalanche Science and Geographic Information Systems, as well as programs in Welding, Electricity and Culinary Arts.
Claire is quite new to CTE, having come from a background in fine art. She taught art at Universities in Singapore, New Zealand and the US and was the chair of the Department of Art and Theatre at Adams State University in Colorado prior to her current role at CMC.
Claire has an MFA in Painting from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and a BA in Political Science from University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
Learn more from Claire here.
Crystal Latham-Alford, SkillsUSA Texas Post Secondary, Texas
Crystal Latham-Alford is the Executive Director of SkillsUSA Texas Post Secondary. Crystal launched her career in the career & technical education industry while Director of Student Activities at Texas State Technical College (TSTC) Sweetwater. Through her time at TSTC she assisted in growing SkillsUSA Post Secondary program throughout the system. She transitioned into the executive director of SkillsUSA Texas Post Secondary. With the same drive and enthusiasm she had to expand SKillsUSA at TSTC, she is expanding membership, industry partners, and exposure of SkillsUSA Texas Post Secondary not just within the state but nationwide. Mrs. Latham-Alford has passion, drive for not only Career Technical programs grow among the different colleges and the state but encourages the students who participate in SkillsUSA Texas to become better than they were the day before. Students who she comes in contact with her sees the passion and drive she instills in them, continues with the people they (the students) come in contact.
Mrs. Latham-Alford earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Texas Tech University in Marketing. She spent most of her life in Lubbock, Texas and currently lives in Colorado City, Texas with her husband, Blaze Alford with their three children.
Learn more from Crystal here.
Dr. DeAnna Little, Meridian Technology Center, Oklahoma
Serving as the Director of Instruction at Meridian Technology Center, Dr. DeAnna Little works with an incredible team to educate, enrich lives and secure economic futures. She oversees all aspects of instruction for the trade and industry programs. Dr. Little earned her Ph.D. in Workforce and Adult Education from Oklahoma State University. Her research examined administrators’ perceptions of alternative CTE delivery methods in an effort to raise awareness of the challenges postsecondary students’ encounter while they are in the working and learning stage of their lives. She is currently serving as the past president for the instructional leaders division within OkACTE.
Learn more from DeAnna here.
Diana LaBelle, Electrical, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology Programs, New York
Diana LaBelle is an Assistant Professor and the Chairperson of the Electrical, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology Programs at SUNY Broome Community College in upstate New York. Diana is working toward fulfilling workforce needs through degrees, certificates, and credentials as well as new programs. In addition to her teaching and departmental duties, Diana is also leading the development of SUNY Broome’s Aircraft Maintenance Technician AOS Degree Program. Diana She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and MS in Robotics. She was previously a helicopter mechanic in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Learn more from Diana here.
Dominique Footes, University of the District of Columbia Community College, D.C.
Dominique Footes is currently the Program Coordinator of College Readiness, Partnership, and Volunteer for College Access and Readiness for Everyone (C.A.R.E.) Program at the University of the District of Columbia Community College. She manages the daily operations of the dual enrollment program at the University of the District of Columbia Community College. She also serves as an academic advisor for all dual enrollment students. She works in collaboration with partnering secondary schools to ensure student success and transition in college and career readiness. She currently sits on the University of the District of Columbia Community’s College’s CTE Council, where she has connected with academic faculty and program coordinators to promote a deeper understanding of how CTE pathways can work for students. Dominique holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Learn more from Dominque here.
Frank Polen, Buckeye Career Center, Ohio
Frank Polen is in his fourth year as the Assistant Superintendent, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Adult Education Director at Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia, Ohio, and is currently serving in his twenty third year of public education. Previous to joining Buckeye Career Center, Frank was a public school teacher, coach and principal in two different school districts for a combined nineteen years. As a principal, Frank’s buildings were consistently ranked among the very best in Ohio, earning the Ohio Department of Education Excellent with Distinction designation multiple times. Frank held four years of collegiate experience at Ohio Dominican University and Denison University prior to joining the public school system. Frank earned his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at Ohio Dominican University, and received his M.E. Educational Leadership from Salem International University. Frank is actively involved in multiple workforce initiative and development committees, serves on the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and a professional speaker and presenter. Frank is a resident of New Philadelphia, Ohio. He and his wife Gretchen, an elementary school teacher, are the parents of two daughters, Kendall and Reese.
Learn more from Frank here.
Georgia Reagan, Emily Griffith Technical College, Colorado
Georgia Reagan is the Associate Director of Admissions, Concurrent Enrollment, Testing, & Recruitment at Emily Griffith Technical College. She is passionate about educational equity and access, college persistence and success, and workforce education. She has 8 years of experience in the non-profit, K12, and higher education institutions and continues to fight for equitable education and job opportunities for all students.
She is the daughter of a Mexican immigrant and is bilingual in Spanish. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Spanish from The University of Alabama and her Master’s of Arts in Hispanic Studies from Louisiana State University. Georgia is originally from Alabama and relocated to Denver in 2017. She enjoys running and hiking in her free time.
Learn more from Georgia here.
Jacob Kassuba, Zenith Education Group, Virginia
Jacob Kassuba is the Vice President at Zenith Education Group and is responsible for campus operations for the three Altierus Career College campuses. Previously, Mr. Kassuba was the executive director at the Chesapeake, Virginia, campus, with responsibility for the campuses in Chesapeake, Virginia; Woodbridge, Virginia; South Plainfield, New Jersey; and Southfield, Michigan. His leadership focus has been building efficiencies, driving outcomes and developing teams for student-centered educational environments. He has led and created a diverse array of projects and initiatives within his school groups around compliance, leadership, accreditation, outcomes, community partnership, enrollment, faculty development and student success.
Prior to joining Zenith in February 2015, he had more than 13 years of higher education experience in multiple markets throughout the country. His previous roles have included instructor, program chair, associate director of education, director of education and campus president. Additionally, Mr. Kassuba spent four years at his alma mater as an instructor, tutor and counselor with TRIO Upward Bound, which serves high school students from low-income families and high school students pursuing a path to become first-generation college graduates. Being both a first-generation college student and graduate, Mr. Kassuba is especially passionate about what education can do to change an individual’s circumstances.
Mr. Kassuba holds an MBA from Cornerstone University and a BS in health sciences from Grand Valley State University.
Learn more from Jacob here.
Jeff Henderson, Indian Hills Community College, Iowa
Jeff Henderson started his work career as an Electronics Technician for four years before starting my career in higher education. He first started as the Industrial Maintenance instructor at the college developing the program over the next three years before transitioning into the Robotics program. He guided the robotics program for eighteen years and now serve as the Program Director for the Advanced Manufacturing Programs at Indian Hills Community College.
Learn more from Jeff here.
Lynne McCoy, Bossier Parish Community College, Louisiana
Lynne McCoy serves as the Director of Academic Outreach and Certified Perkins Representative for Bossier Parish Community College in Northwest Louisiana. Prior to joining post-secondary education, she was a business teacher and an assistant principal at a rural high school as well as an adjunct instructor of education at a regional university. Before entering the education field, Lynne worked in various administrative positions in the public sector ranging from accounting specialist to accounting supervisor to business manager.
Learn more from Lynne here.
Nzingha Williams, CPCC’s Merancas Campus, North Carolina
Nzingha started her career in higher education in 2013, as an office assistant to the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Academy at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2014, she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to take a position at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), where she continued to work with students in the BLET Academy. October of 2016, she was offered the position of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator at CPCC’s Merancas Campus.
As a CTE Coordinator, she serves as a liaison between CPCC, the community, and Charlotte- Mecklenburg School System’s CTE programs. Her role allows her to share the many opportunities CPCC has to offer and help students transition from secondary to post-secondary and the workforce.
Through her role, Nzingha has found her passion for career and technical education and understands how it can transform the lives of families. She truly understands the connection between education, workforce development and economic mobility. It is her long term goal to continue in this profession and gain the skills necessary to continue to impact lives and policy. Her education includes a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Criminology from North Carolina State University, MBA from University of Phoenix, and she is currently working on her Doctorate of Education in Adult and Community College Leadership from North Carolina State University.
Nzingha is a proud wife to her husband Michael and mother to two fur babies, Roscoe (pug) and Bella (boxer mix). Her hobbies include traveling, dancing, singing, and spending time with family and friends.
Learn more from Nzingha here.
Rachel Andre, Seattle Colleges, Washington
Rachel Andre is the CTE & High School Initiatives Manager for the Seattle Colleges located in the state of Washington. Although new to the role this year, she has been with the Seattle Colleges for almost four years and previously provided navigational support to students through a unique partnership with Seattle Housing Authority. She also worked as a program director for YouthForce, a youth internship non-profit, and began her career working in an education program for out-of-school youth. Rachel studied Anthropology at the University of Washington with a focus on cultural identities within institutions such as prisons, hospitals and schools. In her spare time she enjoys hiking in the beautiful pacific northwest.
Learn more from Rachel here.
Rosario Torres, MDRC, California
Rosario joined MDRC’s postsecondary policy team as a Research Analyst in 2018. She currently provides technical assistance to MDRC’s new College Promise Success Initiative which supports College Promise and Free College promise programs aimed at promoting student success in college by implementing evidence-based student support practices. In addition, Rosario also supports the research support and analysis to the New World of Work (NWoW) Program, a 21st-century employability skills curriculum currently being taught at over 50 community colleges in California. This curriculum provides instruction in 10 key competencies, using work-relevant content, and can be taught in a traditional class setting or online. Prior to joining MDRC, Rosario held various supporting roles in K-12 and higher education as a financial aid officer and college admissions counselor.
Learn more from Rosie here.
Sharnee’ Hobbs, Bishop State Community College, Alabama
Sharnee’ Hobbs is an Instructional Coordinator at Bishop State Community College in the GED/Adult Education Department. She received her bachelors degree in History from the University of South Alabama and later returned to her alma mater and earned a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education.
She has worked in the Adult Education Department for 11 years as a part-time/full time Adult Education Instructor and she has held her current position since 2016. In addition to her many years working with adult learners, Mrs. Hobbs taught 6th, 8th and 9th grade history in the Mobile County Public School System for 9 years. She has a genuine love for education and enjoys helping her students achieve academic success.
Mrs. Hobbs loves all aspects of Adult Education. Her passion and enthusiasm were recognized by state leaders and she now serves as on the GED Professional Development Team. In this role, Mrs. Hobbs travels across the State of Alabama presenting strategies and best practices to adult education instructors.
In her spare time, Mrs. Hobbs enjoys spending time with her wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters. She also enjoys reading, shopping, relaxing at the beach and talking for hours with her mother. Her motto in life is to always find something good in everything and everyone, love hard and never be afraid to try, try and try again.
Learn more from Sharnee’ here.
Torrie Costantino, Utah Valley University, Utah
Torrie Costantino always followed the conventional rules of education; finish high school get a bachelors and a masters and that guarantee’s great money and success. Then she started working in career and technical education and learned just how misguiding the conventional method can be sometimes. Torrie is a two time graduate of Arizona State University where she studied English Literature for her Bachelor’s and went into Family and Human Development for her Master’s in hopes of one day becoming a school counselor, until she discovered her passion for CTE. Torrie has explored post-secondary careers by starting part-time in running a fantastic outreach club, that she still holds dear to her heart, to working for Career Services before finding her place as the CTE Pathways Coordinator for Utah Valley University. Her eyes have been drastically opened to other side of education that is Career and Technical education and wishes to both promote and teach the public about the benefits of Pathways and a CTE degree.
Learn more from Torrie here.