As CEO of Teamer Strategy Group, LLC., Dr. Toya Barnes-Teamer brings more than 30 years of experience in administrative management; strategic enrollment management; workforce development; faculty and staff training; leadership searches; board development and training; research, assessment and evaluation; and diversity, equity and inclusion. Barnes-Teamer also provides expertise in state and system-level higher education research, policy, and cross sector collaboration.

She served as Vice President for student success at Dillard University (LA). Prior to her role at Dillard, Toya served as Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS); Vice Chancellor/Provost for Louisiana Technical College; Associate Director of Admissions for recruitment and enrollment management at the University of New Orleans (LA) and as Associate Director of Admissions at Loyola University (LA).

Toya holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Loyola University and received her Ph.D. in higher education administration from the UNO.

Arnel is a native New Orleanian who has 30 years of experience in higher education most recently serving as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. In that role, she led the enrollment planning efforts of the College, as well as the development and implementation of programs and services focused on student access and success. 

Dr. Cosey received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and Master of Arts in Guidance & Counseling from Xavier University. In 2011 she earned an Executive Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University. Dr. Cosey is also committed to her community as demonstrated through her membership on local boards, such as The Urban League of Louisiana and Bricolage Academy. She has been the recipient of several professional and community awards such as the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Outstanding Staff of the Year, the Chancellor’s Innovation and Excellence Award, City Business Women of the Year, and City Business One to Watch in Education. 

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards is a Professor of Communication and former Assistant Vice-President for Student Success and Multicultural Initiatives and Assistant Provost for Academic Diversity Initiatives at Tarleton State University. As AVP for SSMI, she was responsible for the following areas: Academic Advising Center, Career Services, Academic Mentoring Initiatives, Academic Resource Center, Center for Academic Readiness and Success, Center for Assessment and Academic Testing, International Programs, and Upward Bound. Edwards also served as the leader of the American Association of State Colleges and University's Re-Imagining the First-Year Experience initiative (RFY@Tarleton) and the lead for the implementation of the Education Advisory Board's Student Success Collaborative at Tarleton (SSC@Tarleton),

She was the 2012 recipient of the Tarleton State University Jack and Louise Arthur Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2011 recipient of the Tarleton State University Barry B. Thompson Award for Excellence in Service Award, and two of Texas A&M University System Student Recognition Awards for Teaching Excellence in 2011 and 2012. Edwards also serves at the executive director of the Texas Social Media Research Institute (a social media initiative based at Tarleton State University).

Manisha is the Program Director at Alabama Possible and directs all of the poverty education and educational attainment programs. She is instrumental in the launch of Alabama College Attainment Network (Alabama Possible is the backbone agency for this private-public partnership collaboration) whose mission is to increase college and career readiness, access, and completion in Alabama, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color. She joins Alabama Possible following 15 years’ service at Miles College as the director of student activities, first-year enrichment program manager, and English instructor.

She also worked as an advertising manager and editor at the Times of India. Manisha earned a bachelor’s degree in English and psychology from BJB College in Bhubaneswar, India, and a master’s in English from Utkal University Bhubaneswar, India. Manisha is on the board of Girls on the Run, which uses a fun, research-based curriculum that creatively integrates running to inspire every girl to reach her limitless potential, not just for the length of their program, but for life. When Manisha is not campaigning for equitable education/workforce opportunities in Alabama or advocating for Girls on the Run, she enjoys playing tennis and running. She lives in Homewood, Alabama, with her husband Anoop, and two children Annikah (daughter) and Adesh (son).

Armed with a passion for higher education by way of community college, Ashley Ruby serves as the Director of the Learning Commons and Academic Success at Garrett College in rural Western Maryland. Ruby’s current charges include the Learning Commons; academic library; academic advisement for entering, developmental, and probation students; academic support services such as tutoring and testing; career and transfer advisement; and student retention.

Much of Ruby’s work in higher education aims to collaborate across traditional departmental lines, specifically in bridging the silos of student services and academic affairs. At a small institution, staff have the advantage of collaborating frequently across department lines. Ruby’s knowledge and experience expands to many other areas of higher education, such as Enrollment/Admissions, high school dual enrollment, the student onboarding experience, Academic Affairs, Marketing, Records and Registration, and Financial Aid. Furthermore, she has familiarity with policymaking and assessment. Add to that her prior background in both K-12 and business, Ruby upholds many skills that are highly valued in higher education today, such as customer service and market-driven decision-making. Ruby’s multiple endeavors and diverse skillset have allowed her the opportunity to gain expertise, lend vision, and enact results in alignment with each of Complete College America’s four critical areas of the student journey: Purpose, Structure, Momentum, and Support. 

Chandra C. Scott is the Executive Director of Alabama Possible, a non-profit organization headquartered in Birmingham, AL, whose mission since 1993, is to break down barriers to prosperity in Alabama through advocacy, education, and collaboration. 

Chandra is driven by the need to increase equitable postsecondary access and success in Alabama and to shift mindsets on how to eradicate poverty. 

Under her leadership, Alabama Possible convenes statewide and regional networks including the Alabama College Attainment Network, the Higher Education Alliance, 75,000 Degrees Talent Hub, and Bold Goals Coalition FAFSA Action Network. The organization leads the Alabama Goes to College Campaign as a strategy to increase FAFSA completion and postsecondary enrollment. Alabama Possible also couples advocacy at the Federal and State level with community level civic engagement to impact policy and practice. In 2021, Alabama Possible was a critical partner in launching the nation’s and Alabama’s first Predominately Black and Historically Black Community College Network along with making applying to over 60 Historically Black Colleges and Universities free for all high school seniors in Alabama. 

Prior to joining Alabama Possible, Chandra served as the Director of Strategic Outcomes for the Mobile Area Education Foundation (MAEF) in Mobile, AL. She has provided strategic direction and messaging as an advocate for education equality for more than 19 years.  

Chandra received her certification in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Michigan State University, and a bachelor’s in chemistry from Xavier University in New Orleans, LA. She completed America’s Promise Alliance’s Data Leadership at Tuft’s University in Boston, MA.