We begin 2023 with gratitude and excitement as we announce the 12 phenomenal individuals that make up the second cohort of the National College Attainment Network (NCAN)’s Leading for Equity Fellowship Program. NCAN is thrilled to introduce the following
college attainment professionals who represent our member organizations from across the country in this year-long program designed to increase the number of leaders of color represented in the C-suite within organizations in the college attainment
field. This program is possible with the generous support of UBS.
From January to December, these rising leaders of color will participate in virtual meetings two times a month to identify and grow their leadership strengths; build skills in key executive leadership competencies, such as fundraising and strategic planning;
grow their supportive network of peers and mentors; and strengthen their capacity to address systemic issues of power, privilege, oppression, and equity within their organizations and respective communities.
The inaugural cohort benefitted from personal and professional growth, with 10 of 12 having been promoted during their fellowship experience and every single one reporting that they felt validated and valued and had an increased awareness of their need
for self-care. We know this next cohort will have an equally successful experience as President and CEO of The Crockett Collective, Kristen Crockett, leads the cohort through a series
of curricula focused on growing each individual along their leadership journey.
Here’s what one of last year’s fellows had to say about the program:
“This is absolutely an incredible investment in diversifying the top leadership in our organizations...[and in] increasing the impact that BIPOC leaders can have in our industry.”
- 2022 Fellow
Without further ado, meet NCAN’s 2023 Leading for Equity Fellows!
Position and Organization: Associate Director, Virginia College Advising Corps Location: Charlottesville, VA About: Johnston has been with the Virginia College Advising Corps (VCAC) for over
three years, first as Assistant Director and now as Associate Director. Prior to joining VCAC, she was a Program Coordinator in the Office of the Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer at the University of Virginia and a high school counselor.
Connect with Johnston on LinkedIn.
Position and Organization: Program Director, Postsecondary Access, Project AIM Location: Atlanta, GA About: Sheffield has been with Project AIM for over two years, first as Program Manager and
now as Program Director of their Postsecondary Access program. Before that, he was the Associate Director of the 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation and a College Success Project Manager with the Atlanta, GA public school system. Connect with Sheffield
on LinkedIn.
Position and Organization: Senior Director of Partnerships, OneGoal Location: Vernon, CT About: Lopez has served as OneGoal's Senior Director of Partnerships since August 2021. Before that,
he was a facilitator with Latinos for Education and held multiple positions with Houston Independent School District. Connect with Lopez on LinkedIn.
Position and Organization: Director of K12 and Postsecondary, UP Partnership Location: Seguin, TX About: Hagelgans has served as UP Partnership's Director of K12 and Postsecondary since April
2022. Prior to this, she was the Director of Access at Texas A&M University - San Antonio and held various positions with Palo Alto (TX) College. Connect with Hagelgans on LinkedIn.
Position and Organization: Director, Postsecondary Initiatives, PeerForward Location: Miami Shores, FL About: Senatus has been with PeerForward since 2018, first as Associate Director and now
as Director, Postsecondary Initiatives. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Miami Dade College, where he teaches social sciences. Connect with Senatus on LinkedIn.
Position and Organization: Managing Director of Programs, Bottom Line Location: Chicago, IL About: Chiu has been with Bottom Line for over six years, first as Director of Programs and now as
Managing Director of Programs. Before that, she was a Program Coordinator and College Success Manager with Genesys Works. Connect with Chiu on LinkedIn.
Position and Organization: Associate Director, KIPP Baltimore Location: Baltimore, MD About: Moody has held a variety of positions with KIPP Baltimore since joining in 2021, including Manager
of College Persistence, Manager of High School Support, and now Associate Director. Prior to that, he was a school counseling intern. Connect with Moody on LinkedIn.
Position and Organization: Manager of Site Development and Training, College Track Location: Upper Marlboro, MD About: LaSane joined College Track in 2015 as the Founding Director of Student
Life and has since progressed to become the Manager of Site Development and Training. Before joining CollegeTrack, he was an Admissions Representative at ITT Technical University and Program Coordinator at a community mental health center. Connect
with LaSane on LinkedIn.
Position and Organization: Director, American Indian Support Services, Arizona State University Location: Maricopa, AZ About: Larney serves as the Director of American Indian Support Services
at Arizona State University. Prior to this, he was a Director at Mesa Community College and held various positions with the Gila River Indian Community. Connect with Larney on LinkedIn.
Position and Organization: Senior Program Director, College Possible Location: Federal Way, WA About: Garcia-Hanson joined College Possible in 2019 as Program Director and has since been promoted
to Senior Program Director. She is also the owner and principal of Garcia-Hanson and Associates, LLC, a leadership and employee development consulting firm. Connect with Garcia-Hanson on LinkedIn.
Position and Organization: Senior Director of Program Strategy, Students Rising Above Location: Oakland, CA About: Bugayong as served as the Senior Director of Program Strategy at Students Rising
Above since 2019. Prior to, she was the Associate Director of Access Learning Lab - Student Solutions at College Board and held various positions with the College Success Foundation. Connect with Bugayong on LinkedIn.
Position and Organization: Associate Director, Student Leadership Network Location: Bronx, NY About: Since joining the Student Leadership Network in 2011, Daly has served as Director of College
Counseling and now Associate Director. She also co-chaired the professional development committee at the New York State Associate for College Admission Counseling. Connect with Daly on LinkedIn.
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