Our team

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 Senior Associate of Operations 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!

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.

Anna (she/her) joined Trio as the HubSpot and Data Systems Manager in January 2025. In her career she has focused on disrupting systems of inequity, which led her to nonprofits where she worked as a bilingual service coordinator, a street outreach professional with women experiencing homelessness, and most recently as the Director of Operations for an organization that mediates housing conflicts between landlords and tenants.

Trio’s mission to provide support to students seeking higher education aligns with Anna’s belief that education should be accessible to all, and her background in social work led her to understand the importance of reliable data as well as the value of a strong database system. She is thrilled for the opportunity to work as Trio’s data manager as we support students in achieving their goals.

Marcone is a consultant to Trio. As a founding team member, Marcone helped to build the brand, design, marketing, and recruitment efforts across the organization before moving on to pursue his MBA. 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.

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.

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 Future Forward CT 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. Future Forward 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.

A Bridgeport native and proud UB Purple Knight, Rich is excited to join FFCT as a Student Success Coach, where he supports adult learners throughout their online educational journey. In this role, he is dedicated to helping students build confidence, stay motivated, and celebrate both academic and personal milestones. Before joining FFCT, Rich worked as an elementary school teacher for several years in Bridgeport, teaching 3rd and 4th grade English Language Arts. He is passionate about educational equity and believes that every student—regardless of age or background—deserves access to meaningful and supportive learning experiences. Outside of work, Rich enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Liz and their dog Riley, staying active outdoors or at the gym, and getting lost in a good thriller series. He’s a proud Ravenclaw and big Harry Potter fan, a devoted music enthusiast, and a self-taught DJ.

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.

Kristen is a dedicated higher education professional with a strong commitment to advancing equity and access for all learners. With years of experience advising and supporting students, she has built her career around helping individuals—particularly adult learners—navigate education in ways that align with their goals, responsibilities, and lived experiences. Her passion lies in creating pathways for students who often feel overlooked by traditional systems. Kristen believes education should be accessible, flexible, and transformative, opening doors not just to careers but to confidence, growth, and opportunity. She is especially inspired by innovative approaches that reimagine what higher education can look like—models that prioritize affordability, flexibility, and support, much like the forward-thinking work being done at institutions that champion nontraditional learning. Kristen’s work is driven by the belief that education is not one-size-fits-all. By advocating for programs and initiatives that meet students where they are, she empowers learners to thrive academically and personally, no matter their starting point. She is passionate about continuing to expand access to education so that every student—regardless of background, age, or circumstance—has the chance to move forward.

‍

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.

Wes is a co-founder of Trio New College Network and now serves as the company's Fractional Chief Financial Officer through his advisory firm, Cherrywood Advisors. 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.

Bibi Quinones is passionate about making education accessible and empowering students to reach their goals. She earned her Bachelor’s in Special Education and Master’s in Educational Psychology from the University of Connecticut, and has taught both in the U.S. and abroad, including three years in Japan during the pandemic. Outside of work, Bibi enjoys playing games on her Switch, reading fantasy romance novels, writing poetry, and spending time with her senior pup, Giggles, and her young niece.

‍

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.

ourdan Sylvester is an accomplished educator with a strong commitment to fostering positive learning environments. With a Masters of Science in Education - Instruction, a Bachelors of Arts degree in History, and an Associates degree in Secondary Education, she possesses a well-rounded academic foundation. Her extensive experience spans K-12 education, where she has excelled as a Special Education Teacher and a Social-Emotional Learning Intervention Specialist. Jourdan's passion lies in creating an inclusive and supportive atmosphere that empowers students to thrive academically and personally. Her dedication to education is evident in her pursuit of innovative teaching methods and strategies, all aimed at helping students achieve their full potential. Throughout her career, Jourdan remains steadfast in her commitment to educational excellence. Her overarching goal is to establish a positive and nurturing learning environment where students can flourish both academically and emotionally. Her dynamic approach to teaching is characterized by innovative methodologies that cater to individual learning styles. Jourdan's passion for fostering growth extends beyond the classroom as she actively collaborates with colleagues, parents, and students to create a holistic educational experience. With a wealth of expertise and an unwavering dedication to her craft, Jourdan Sylvester continues to be a driving force in shaping the future of education.

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.

Roblin Webb serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Trio New College Network, where she leads the organization’s mission to expand access to higher education and empower students to succeed in college, career, and life. With nearly two decades of executive leadership in education, Roblin brings a proven track record of building innovative, high-performing organizations that transform opportunities for young people.

Before joining Trio, Roblin founded and served as CEO of Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools for 18 years, a high-achieving charter school network in Memphis, Tennessee, and Birmingham, AL which grew under her leadership to serve thousands of students and families with a strong culture of academic excellence, equity, and community impact.

A recognized thought leader in educational equity and organizational growth, Roblin is deeply committed to reimagining pathways to postsecondary success. At Trio, she focuses on scaling programs that meet students where they are, providing the mentorship, resources, and support needed to thrive in and beyond college.

Roblin graduated from Rhodes College with a bachelor’s in Urban Studies and holds a Law degree and Masters in Politics and Public Affairs from Rutgers University.  

‍

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.