Bethanie Hamlett Tucker, Ed.D. of North Carolina has been a professional educator since 1972. She has served in a number of critical teaching and program leadership roles at the elementary school level and is currently a professor of education at Averett University in Danville, Virginia. Through aha! Process, Bethanie provides training and consulting services for Tucker Signing Strategies for Reading, Understanding and Engaging Under-Resourced College Students, Emotional Poverty, A Framework for Understanding Poverty, Research-Based Strategies, Motivation, Ready for College, Ready for Careers. An experienced consultant and author, Bethanie has been with aha! Process since 2000.

Marissa Meyers is a practitioner-researcher at the Hope Center. Prior to joining the Hope Center, Marissa was a special projects manager for Integrated Health Services at Public Health Management Corporation, a program manager for The Moyer Foundation, and an admissions counselor at the University of Pennsylvania. She serves on the boards and advisory councils of many Philadelphia organizations addressing food insecurity, foster care, and trauma-informed practice. Marissa holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rosemont College and a masters in nonprofit leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

Marissa’s hope: Society will start telling the truth about what it really takes to complete a college degree for all populations.

Greg Scott is a retired NFL Defensive Lineman from Southampton County, Virginia, who has dedicated his life to helping children and families in his community. In 2008, after rehabbing from a torn ACL and coaching two seasons at Hampton University, Mr. Scott was at a cross roads about his future. After much consideration, he was led into the direction of philanthropy and giving back to his community. In 2009, Mr. Scott started implementing plans for Cover 3 Football, a children’s charity. Shortly into 2011, Mr. Scott’s children’s charity Cover 3 Football became Cover 3 Foundation to allow for more programming and resources for his community.

Cover 3 Foundation programs Reach, Teach and Feed thousands of children every year under the CACFP and SFSP umbrella. To-date Mr. Scott’s Foundation has served over 2.5 million healthy meals and snacks to local and surrounding area children within the areas of Hampton Roads, Central VA and Greensville County. In addition to his Foundation activities, Mr. Scott is also a motivational speaker, civic leader, member of the CACFP Forum Board, member of the NFL Player’s Association, member of NFL Legends Community, former member of the Smart Beginnings Board of Directors, member of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, and an MVP Council Member for Fuel up To Play 60.

Dr. Van C. Wilson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Experience and Strategic Initiatives has over 30 years of experience in post-secondary education. Dr. Wilson joined the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Academic Services & Research staff in January of 2013 and currently serves as the chief student services administrator for the system. The services include enrollment management, credit for prior learning, admissions, registration, student leadership, financial aid, veteran’s services, library services, the early alert system and the Virginia Education Wizard (the system’s on-line educational portal). Dr. Wilson’s current priorities include working with VCCS institutions to accelerate educational attainment for military veterans by developing system-wide methodologies to evaluate and award academic credit for military educational experiences, the implementation of several system-wide technologies to support student success, teaching, and learning, and seeking system wide solutions to address student housing and food insecurity barriers.

Prior to joining the VCCS, Dr. Wilson served as Associate Vice President for Student Learning and Success for the North Carolina Community College System. Dr. Wilson also worked as Vice President for Student Services at Forsyth Community College located in Winston-Salem North Carolina and held leadership positions at Winston-Salem State University and Western Carolina University.

Carolyn Ashby began her teaching career within the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) in 2004. In 2015, Ms. Ashby became employed at Paul D. Camp Community College (PDCCC) as an adjunct professor. She currently serves as full-time faculty (Assistant Professor of Biology) at PDCCC. Ms. Ashby’s prior teaching experience includes Old Dominion University, Tidewater Community College and Bryant and Stratton College. She earned a bachelor of science degree from Norfolk State University (NSU) and a master of science degree from Hampton University (HU). Ms. Ashby has the distinction of being selected as a Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences (DNIMAS) Scholar at NSU. DNIMAS “was established in December 1985. Its goal is to address the severe shortage of minority scientists by producing graduates who are capable of successfully completing graduate studies in the basic and applied sciences, and of entering occupations in industry, government, and education.” Thereafter, Ms. Ashby transitioned to HU as an awardee of the highly competitive and prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship. Awarded for the first time in 1955, over 5,000 students have received fellowships. “Originally awarded in physics, chemistry, and mathematics, the Sloan Research Fellowships have expanded over the decades to include the support of early-career researchers in a total of eight scientific and technical fields.” Ms. Ashby’s research interests include: Molecular phylogenetics and marine and environmental science including work with the National Marine and Fisheries Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, monitoring zooplankton populations in Georges Bank.

Ms. Karen Jenkins is a current resident of Suffolk, Virginia. She was elected to serve as a member of the City of Suffolk School Board (Cypress Burroughs) in 2018. During her campaign, when asked “What would you do to better support your vulnerable students? For example, those who live in poverty” Ms. Jenkins expressed “…we must assure schools, educators and staff are diversified, well trained, have awareness of their students…cultures, and daily challenges students face, in order to properly meet the needs of all students regardless of race, gender or any disabilities…” Prior to serving as an elected official, Ms. Jenkins’ professional career has included working in the Financial Aid and Business Office departments at Paul D. Camp Community College (PDCCC). Notably, she also has significant experience as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of financial institutions and creating partnerships at the local, state and federal levels. Additionally, Ms. Jenkins has acquired many years of education and training in marriage and family counseling, behavioral therapy and providing supportive services to individuals diagnosed with mental health conditions. Ms. Jenkins earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in General Studies (PDCCC), a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (Norfolk State University) and Master’s degree in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy (Liberty University).