The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) is thrilled to announce our 2026 Advisory Task Force!
Comprised of 26 innovative leaders from across the country in various sectors of college attainment, Advisory Task Force members range from direct student service in the secondary space to the corridors of higher education, as well as private
scholarship foundations, nonprofit organizations and state agencies. NCAN created this space to bring our members together monthly to share ideas, solve problems, and recognize trends.
Task Force members provide NCAN with real time knowledge of the conditions, obstacles, and victories our members are experiencing across the nation. Their feedback is used to identify, vet, and curate the most relevant resources and professional development
opportunities for all our members. We sincerely thank each of them for their dedication to students and the industry.
In her role, Tiffany Anderson provides statewide leadership for college access and success initiatives through WV GEAR UP. In this role, she leads innovative, equity-focused programming that supports thousands of students
and families across West Virginia as they navigate Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion, scholarship access, and the transition to postsecondary education. Anderson directs the WV GEAR UP Ambassador Program, the Family Action
Network (FANs) webinar series, and multiple Parent Leadership Councils, all designed to elevate student voice and strengthen family engagement in college-going efforts.
With over two decades of experience spanning K12 education, higher education, mental health counseling, and workforce development, Anderson brings a unique, multidisciplinary perspective to college access work. Her background includes serving as a high
school counselor and athletic director, a rehabilitation counselor with the WV Division of Rehabilitation Services, and a college professor, giving her comprehensive insight into the full education-to-workforce pipeline.
A passionate advocate for first-generation students and rural communities, Anderson is deeply committed to removing systemic barriers to postsecondary success through data-informed strategies, authentic partnerships, and family-centered engagement. Her
leadership is driven by the belief that every student, regardless of background, deserves access to information, opportunity, and support needed to pursue meaningful postsecondary pathways. She is honored to contribute this experience to the NCAN
Advisory Task Force in service of nationwide college access and completion efforts.
Daniel Barkowitz AVP Student Financial Assistance & Employment University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
Daniel T. Barkowitz is the Assistant Vice President of Financial Assistance and Employment at the University of Miami. He has served 35 years in higher education institutions. Barkowitz has held various volunteer
roles with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), SASFAA (southern region), EASFAA (eastern region), FASFAA (Florida), and MASFAA (Massachusetts), including past president of SASFAA for 2024-25, past president of
the Florida Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (FASFAA) and the inaugural chair of the NASFAA's Commission of the Certified Financial Aid Administrator (CFAA) program.
Barkowitz also served as the primary negotiator for financial aid administrators in the 2021 federal negotiated rulemaking. He holds NASFAA's Certified Financial Aid Administrator designation. Daniel is a recipient of FASFAA’s Distinguished Service Award,
MASFAA's Presidential Award, two-time recipient of FASFAA’s President’s Recognition Award, two-time recipient of MIT's Dean of Undergraduate Education Infinite Mile Award, and the recipient of Florida College Access Network's (FCAN) Top Influencer
Award. Barkowitz earned his bachelor's in history from Northeastern University and his master's in human resource education from Boston University. He earned a certificate in professional fundraising from Boston University. He is a published
poet, musical theater actor, and tarot card designer and collector. Barkowitz has two adult children and an adorable fur baby.
Ryane Boyd Associate Director of College Success DC Prep Washington, DC
With over 10 years of experience in college access and success work, Ryane Boyd is a dedicated student advocate who is passionate about helping students navigate the complexities of their postsecondary journeys. As the Associate Director
of College Success at PrepNext, a DC Prep Alumni program, she leads the college success program initiatives to guide and ensure students reach their full potential.
Her commitment to this work is personal. As a first-generation college graduate, Boyd overcame her fair share of financial barriers throughout her own postsecondary experience. Through resilience and determination, she earned a bachelor’s in English studies
from the University of Missouri at Columbia and a master’s in diversity and equity in education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
Boyd’s commitment to supporting underrepresented students began with her work with the College Advising Corps, where she served as a founding advisor in the St. Louis Public School District. She uses a data-driven, holistic, student-centered approach
to support her students. Boyd combines her lived experiences with acquired knowledge to advocate for equitable education, empower students, and create inclusive spaces for them to thrive.
Joshua Etienne Vice President of Advising uAspire Boston, MA
As the Vice President of Advising at uAspire, Josh Etienne leads the strategic direction and quality assurance for all advising operations, ensuring that students receive exceptional support throughout the complex financial
aid process. His leadership plays a crucial role in managing regional advising teams in New York City, the Bay Area, and Massachusetts, while also developing innovative solutions that address the changing needs of students and families.
In collaboration with the Chief Impact Officer, Etienne helps align the department's vision with uAspire's core mission of promoting economic mobility through education. His career is grounded in service and program development. Prior to his current role,
Etienne gained valuable experience as a Massachusetts Promise Fellow at the Old Colony YMCA Social Services Division and as a program assistant at Northeastern University's Center of Community Service. He earned his bachelor’s from Morehouse College
in political science, with a focus on international studies and economics, where he was proudly recognized as an Oprah Winfrey Scholar.
Fabián García is the Director of Admissions at Aims Community College, where he oversees recruitment, outreach, and other pre-collegiate initiatives. In addition to working at Aims, he has been involved in supporting
historically underrepresented and underserved populations across northern Colorado in various capacities.
Informed by his lived experience as a first-generation college student, as well as his work with students, families, and advocacy groups across northern Colorado, García is passionate about addressing systemic barriers that prevent educational access
and empowering those who seek to pursue post-secondary education. He received his master’s degree in higher education student affairs leadership and bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Northern Colorado.
A proud citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, Tiffany Gusbeth has spent 10 years at the American Indian College Fund dedicated to advancing Native student success. In her role, Gusbeth leads the development and implementation of comprehensive
student support systems, including scholarships, college access, career readiness, student engagement, and strategic enrollment management. She also oversees the creation of a student and program management database to better serve Native students'
needs. Gusbeth's leadership is guided by a deep commitment to ensuring that these initiatives are culturally relevant and respectful to the communities she serves.
As a first-generation college student, Gusbeth’s educational journey has been shaped by resilience and determination. Her experiences as a GED graduate and a student at a Tribal College or University (TCU) provide Gusbeth with a unique perspective and
a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Native students navigating higher education. These experiences have fueled her passion for ensuring that Native students receive the support they need to succeed academically and culturally.
Tiffany Haddon serves as a Success Program Manager at Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (DRDFS). She is a proud alumna of the University of Akron where she received both her bachelor’s in family and child development
and master’s in social work.
With over 10 years of experience in coaching, facilitation, and leadership development, Haddon oversees a team of success coaches who provide individualized guidance to high school and college students across Michigan, ensuring they have the resources
and support needed to thrive academically and personally. Her leadership style blends authoritative clarity with transformational mentorship, emphasizing equity, belonging, and holistic student success.
She’s passionate about systems level change in higher education, particularly around Pell Grant policy, first-generation student outcomes, and community-based support models. Her work has helped students access more than $1.5 million in scholarships,
complete their degrees, step into leadership roles, and build powerful networks that launch their futures.
Dr. Gerrick J. Hampton is the Associate Director for the Office of Student Affairs at the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE). Hampton earned his bachelor’s and master’s of business administration from
Winthrop University, and his doctorate at Nova Southeastern University. He currently manages the LIFE & SC HOPE Scholarship Programs, the Lottery Tuition Assistance program, and the South Carolina Residency Program. In addition, he also oversees
the CHE College Access Programs: College Application Month, College Goal South Carolina and College Decision Day. Hampton has been with CHE for 14 years. His work in college access focuses on helping students identify institutions of higher education
that may best suit their needs and accessing funding to assist with their education.
Patti B. Harris is the director of GEAR UP NC, a federally funded grant designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Harris develops and oversees
statewide programming and college access initiatives, builds and sustains relationships with national and local community partners to leverage support for GEAR UP related activities, and manages external partnerships to enhance student success at
secondary and post-secondary levels. With over 15 years of experience in college access and higher education, starting in undergrad as a work-study student in financial aid, to serving as a college adviser to rural high school students, to becoming
the first director of the NC State College Advising Corps, Harris remains committed to ensuring all students have the greatest opportunity to upward mobility.
A first-generation college student, Harris earned her master's in higher education administration from North Carolina State University and her bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Tessa Kratz began her career as a first grade teacher in Los Angeles, CA. That experience, coupled with her involvement with a number of high-impact nonprofits, led her to pursue a career in education nonprofit management.
After supporting the historic growth of Teach for America NYC as their campaign director, she jumped on the opportunity to help open KIPP NYC College Prep High School, first directing its design and operations, then creating and leading a nationally
recognized college and career counseling program that guided 95% of seniors to enroll in college.
In 2018, Kratz took on her current role building the Postsecondary Success Collaborative, a six year holistic postsecondary program which is on track to support over 10,000 alumni of KIPP, Achievement First, and other school networks to persist
in and graduate from college and CTE programs and then transition to strong first jobs. Tessa holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Georgetown University and a master’s in public administration from Columbia University School of International and
Public Affairs. During her spare time, you will likely find her on a sideline rooting on her two sports loving kids.
Rachel Livingston Chief Program Officer Fulfillment Fund Los Angeles, CA
Rachel Livingston’s 30-year career in education spans teaching, college counseling, and administration at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in the Los Angeles, CA area. In her current role, Livingston leads
all programmatic activities, overseeing Fulfillment Fund’s College Access and College Success programs. Known for her data-driven approach to decision-making, she has built positive school cultures and developed strategies to help under-resourced
students achieve academic success, pursue success in college and launch their careers.
A nationally recognized trainer, Livingston is passionate about educational equity and youth mental health as well as building positive and supportive workplace cultures. She has received acclaim for her leadership in college counseling across the Los
Angeles Unified School District and several charter school networks.
Karen Lopez Project Manager, Product Strategy Common App Arlington, VA
Karen Lopez serves as a Project Manager on the Product Strategy team at Common App, where she leads product and program initiatives that advance equitable postsecondary access for students nationwide. She played a key
role in scaling national pilots into full program offerings, most notably Common App’s direct admissions program, which delivers proactive admission offers to first-generation and low- and middle-income students. Previously, Lopez managed national
student and family engagement through Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative, supporting nudging interventions that served underrepresented students.
Born in Sinaloa, Mexico, raised in Los Angeles, CA, and now a decade long resident of the Washington, DC area, she is a first-generation college graduate whose lived experiences and professional expertise shape her equity driven commitment to expanding
postsecondary access and attainment. She works to strengthen intentionally designed pathways and systems that serve historically underserved students.
Lopez is a graduate of George Washington University, where she earned a bachelor’s in international affairs with a concentration in conflict resolution, and was part of the inaugural cohort of Cisneros Scholars at the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute.
Katie Lovera Assistant Director of College Advising I Know I Can Columbus, OH
Katie Lovera is a dynamic professional committed to creating inclusive, strategic, and data-driven solutions in higher education, with a proven track record of achieving recruitment goals and advancing diversity initiatives.
She is passionate about working with high school students to fulfill their goal of achieving a college education. In her current role, Lovera serves as the Assistant Director of College Advising at I Know I Can, Ohio’s first college access program
and a founding member of NCAN. Lovera holds a master’s in education in college student personnel as well as a bachelor's degree in political science, both from the University of Dayton. She has nearly two decades of progressive experience in enrollment
management at both public and private universities as well as dual enrollment coordination for a public K-12 school district.
With over 10 years of experience in college access and higher education, Pedrum Mardan has guided hundreds of students in developing their agency, leadership, and trajectories to and through college. Inspired by his own journey as the
son of asylees, a community college transfer student, and a first-generation professional, his changemaking is rooted in a commitment to democratizing education, expanding equitable pathways, and cultivating the next generation of leaders.
Mardan currently serves as the Director of College Guidance at Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA). He leads a transformative, fit-based counseling program for a yearly cohort of 100 young leaders from across the country that helps them
gain access to colleges and universities that span the range of “rejectivity.” Prior to LEDA, he supported every aspect of New York University's Opportunity Programs, helping to review thousands of applications, prepare thoughtful recommendations
for committee, and participate in on- and off-campus recruitment and outreach events.
He earned his bachelor's in literature with a concentration in world literature and cultural studies from University of California, Santa Cruz, and his master's in counseling and guidance: school and bilingual school counseling with an advanced certificate
in LGBTQ+ health, education, and social services from New York University.
Gina Moraida brings over a decade of expertise in college access and nonprofit work to her role as Associate, RGV FOCUS at Educate Texas. Passionate about helping students achieve their educational dreams, she equips
Rio Grande Valley counselors and advisors with the financial aid training and resources they need to succeed. Moraida also supports TxCAN's mission by maintaining dynamic digital communication and assisting its leadership team in delivering impactful
initiatives. Before joining Educate Texas, she was part of the College Advising Corps, spearheading mission-critical projects that enhanced student impact nationwide.
Outside of her professional life, you’ll find her planning unforgettable vacations for her travel clients or creating core memories with family and friends. Whether discovering new destinations or empowering communities, Moraida is driven by a commitment
to growth, connection, and adventure.
Dr. Jennifer Murphy brings a thoughtful, student-centered perspective to her work, shaped by over 23 years of counseling and teaching experience across K12, community college, and university settings. As Vice President
of Postsecondary Access and Attainment at Education Forward Arizona, she helps lead statewide efforts to strengthen and scale college and career readiness efforts. Her work focuses on expanding students’ access to education and training pathways beyond
high school that ultimately support degree attainment, meaningful careers, and a stronger state economy.
In addition to her statewide role, Murphy teaches at Arizona State University as a faculty associate and serves as adjunct counseling faculty at Mesa Community College. She regularly shares her work and insights at local and national conferences, over
35 to date, and supports schools and organizations as a counseling and CCR consultant. She is committed to expanding opportunity, elevating advising practices, and ensuring every student has a clear, supported pathway to their postsecondary goals.
Debbie Nguyen is the Executive Director of the Alray Scholars Program, a nonprofit organization with the mission of reducing barriers to degree attainment for returning adult college students in Boston, MA.
Prior to Alray Scholars Program, Nguyen was the Chief of Staff at Foster America, a national organization focused on improving the foster care system. She also has provided strategy consulting to nonprofits and foundations, designed and implemented college
access and success programming for first-generation college students, and coached youth aging out of foster care on securing and maintaining employment. Outside of her full-time work, Nguyen volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boston Tax Help
Coalition, and Girls Aspire. She also serves on the board of directors of local nonprofits Building Audacity and Root Cause. Nguyen is a proud alumna of Brockton Public Schools, Swarthmore College, and Harvard Graduate School of Education.
As the Program Specialist for Four Year Partnerships at CollegeTracks, Bijal Parikh develops strategic partnerships with key personnel from major Maryland public and private universities as well as local businesses to
support first generation, low-income and immigrant students’ college persistence, degree completion and career pathway goals. In her almost 20 years of experience as a social work program manager and director, she has specialized in developing and
managing direct service programs to advance education equity in the most vulnerable communities.
Parikh hails from New York where she spent over 10 years in advertising and direct marketing before graduating from Columbia University with a master’s degree in social work. She has advocated for immigrant survivors of trafficking and abuse, supported
transition planning for court involved youth aging out of the foster care system, implemented parenting programming for female inmates, and managed a wraparound support program for DC area high school students. When she is not advocating for first
generation college students, she enjoys going on adventures, keeping up with pop culture with her three teenagers, and occasionally enjoying a quiet moment with a good book.
Reshaud Rich is the Senior Director of Internships at Partnership for the Future. He is responsible for leading holistic initiatives that support high achieving, low to moderate income high school students with workforce
development and paid experiential learning. Rich’s professional experience in college access includes GEAR UP Virginia, University of Virginia Upward Bound, and AdviseVA.
He is passionate about student development, marginalized groups, and first-generation, limited income families. Rich's leisure activities include independently publishing books that promote continuous learning and intellectual growth among those that
undervalue postsecondary education. He has also produced his own customized playing cards for sale.
As a Norfolk, VA native, Rich was a recipient of ACCESS College Foundation's services, an Upward Bound student, and military dependent. He earned a bachelor's from the University of Virginia, a post-baccalaureate from Virginia Commonwealth University,
and a master's from Old Dominion University. He is a member of the first collegiate Black Greek letter organization, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Keri Rossi-D'entremont Senior Director of College Access and Success Onward We Learn Providence, RI
Keri Rossi-D’entremont serves as Senior Director of College Access and Success at Onward We Learn. In her role, she leads with vision and purpose, fostering collaboration across Onward’s high school and postsecondary
programs to create a seamless journey for students, one that champions college readiness, access, and achievement. As an NCAN member, Rossi-D’entremont has contributed best practices in forming CBO and higher education partnerships, using data-driven
strategies to optimize student success, and supporting students with learning differences.
A passionate advocate for equity in education, she also brings over 19 years of experience in public higher education, specializing in college advising, career counseling, and holistic support for students with disabilities, first-generation students,
and students from historically marginalized identities. Her commitment is deeply personal: as a proud first-generation college graduate, Rossi-D’entremont earned both her bachelor’s and master’s in psychology from Rhode Island College. Today, she
channels that experience into inspiring others to dream big, break barriers, and realize their potential.
Jackie Shannon is the Scholarship Manager with the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF), working with traditional and adult students looking to pursue higher education. MaineCF is the largest scholarship provider in Maine,
with over 700 named scholarship funds and awarding nearly $4 million in scholarships each year.
Shannon earned her bachelor’s from the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and her master’s of public administration in nonprofit management from the University of Baltimore. Prior to working at MaineCF, Shannon provided staff training at a residential
school for children with developmental disabilities.
Shannon lives in a very small town near the coast of Maine with her husband and teenage daughter, as well as an assortment of pets and farm animals. When she is not chauffeuring her daughter to her many social engagements and sporting events, she enjoys
winter sports, spending time with her animals, reading, and gardening.
Tana Sukauskas Executive Director, Upper Midwest AVID Center Bismarck, ND
Tana Sukauskas is the Executive Director for AVID’s Upper Midwest area, which covers Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa.
After earning her bachelor’s in secondary education from Minnesota State University Moorhead and her master’s in school counseling from Indiana University, she began her career as a high school English teacher in Bismarck, ND. Sukauskas became the
district’s first AVID elective teacher and site coordinator, later advancing to district director before joining AVID Center.
As Executive Director, Sukauskas advances AVID’s mission by guiding teams toward data driven impact, shaping statewide education policy, and building strong partnerships so that educators and communities have expanded opportunities to connect and reach
their potential. She is passionate about cultivating environments where all students can thrive, regardless of background, and believes in the power of education to unlock potential. Outside of work, she enjoys time with family, music, volleyball,
and everyday laughter.
A native of Santa Clarita, CA, and a first-generation college graduate, Brionna Taylor has personally experienced the transformative power of education, which drives her passion for helping students succeed. She began her academic journey
at Los Angeles Southwest College and later earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Kansas State University in 2018. Taylor is currently pursuing her master’s degree in school counseling to further equip herself to guide students toward achieving
their goals.
Being a College Access Specialist with Kansas City Public Schools, she serves low-income and underrepresented students as they navigate the college and career process. As someone who has walked this path herself, Taylor is deeply committed to making higher
education accessible and equitable for all students. Every day, she strives to empower students to believe in their potential and take the necessary steps to achieve their goals.
Lakendra Thomas is a mission driven higher education and workforce development leader committed to expanding equity, access, and postsecondary success for students from under resourced communities. She serves as the Career
Pathways Manager at Birmingham Promise, where she designs and leads a comprehensive support model that helps college graduates transition into meaningful careers with confidence and long-term stability. In this role, she oversees individualized coaching,
employer engagement, and data-informed programming for recent graduates, including extended support for 5th- and 6th-year scholars navigating the final stages of degree completion.
Thomas works closely with higher education institutions, community organizations, and employer partners to build pathways that promote economic mobility and connect students to real opportunities. Her work centers on relationship building, intentional
coaching, and creating systems that ensure students feel supported, prepared, and empowered to reach their goals.
Before joining the student success and nonprofit sector, Thomas taught 7th grade English and 11th and 12th grade college prep, where she piloted a postsecondary readiness program focused on academic skill building and college planning. Her background
as an educator shapes her holistic, student centered approach.
A passionate advocate for educational equity, BG Tucker has dedicated her career to empowering students to achieve their college aspirations. Tucker 's journey in education began as a Teach for America corps member, teaching Spanish in
Gary, IN. This experience ignited her passion for college access and success, leading her to become a founding college counselor at KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate in Massachusetts.
In 2016, Tucker moved to London to pursue US admission counseling abroad. She moved her family back to Minnesota, where she served as Director of College and Career Counseling at Venture Academy. Building on her passion for student success, Tucker now
serves as the Executive Director for College Possible Minnesota. Her extensive experience in program development, strategic planning, and team leadership has helped College Possible Minnesota support students across the state.
She holds a bachelor’s in Latin American Studies from Carleton College and an master's in education from the University of Minnesota. She resides in Minneapolis, MN, with her husband, Sam, and their two sons, Mac and Jack.
Dr. Carmen Veloria is an Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Central Connecticut State University. As a seasoned educator and administrator, she has a wealth of knowledge from working in the P-20 continuum
as a college access administrator, professor, department chair and researcher. Veloria’s advocacy, research, writing, teaching, critical community service work and public speaking focuses on issues of race, ethnicity, and language usage with respect
to youth, schools, and community.
Her most recent work focuses a multidisciplinary team approach to developing a strength-based practices toolkit that emphasizes notions of care and caring through a Latine lens. It includes background information, activity packets/ideas, and information
to help practitioners across various educational settings use cultural, familiar, and gendered notions of cariño, cuentos/conocimientos y consejos (care, stories/ways of knowing, and advice) to uphold a culture of high expectations and accountability.
She holds a bachelor’s in political science from Central Connecticut State University, a master’s in education from Boston College, and a doctorate in language, literacy and culture from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
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Tiffany Anderson
Daniel Barkowitz
Tiffany Haddon
Gerrick Hampton, Ed.D.
Patti Harris
Tessa Kratz
Rachel Livingston
Karen Lopez
Katie Lovera
Pedrum Mardan
Gina Moraida
Jennifer Murphy, Ph.D.
Debbie Nguyen
Bijal Parikh
Reshaud Rich
Keri Rossi-D'entremont 
Jackie Shannon
Tana Sukauskas
Brionna Taylor
Lakendra Thomas
BG Tucker
Carmen Veloria, Ph.D.