Born in Portland into an immigrant family, John personally understands the generational impact that families experience through education. For the past two decades, he has led student success programs and workforce-education partnerships for businesses, foundations, and nonprofits throughout the state, more recently directing college scholarships and community grant initiatives across all 36 Oregon counties.

A strategic visionary and champion of the underserved, John is passionate about equity in education. He thrives on building community and philanthropic partnerships, believing they are essential to creating pathways for college and career success.

John holds business degrees from the University of Oregon and Portland State University, along with graduate executive training in development from Boston University. When not dreaming of ways to tap the potential of the next generation, you’ll find him cheering for his kids in their sports or enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee. If you bump into John, don’t be surprised if he buys you a cup and shares about the many lives being changed through College Possible.

Fabian moved from Arizona to Oregon to attend the University of Portland and graduated in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies and a minor in education. Throughout these past four years, Fabian has stayed connected to students through his role as a Tour Guide and Student Ambassador through the Office of Admissions at UP and in multiple PPS schools during his school year. During his time at UP, Fabian worked as an Athletics Communications Assistant and an Office Assistant for the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Suite. Fabian also enjoys playing video and board games, the outdoors and exploring Portland’s many food options.

Deysi joined College Possible in 2018 after serving a year of service as an AmeriCorps member at Willamette Academy, a college access program in Salem, OR. As an immigrant, first-generation and student of color, Deysi experienced lots of challenges in accessing and completing college. Willamette Academy provided Deysi with the guidance and mentorship to feel empowered and resilient to achieve her goal of attending and graduating from Willamette University. Through her participation as a middle and high school student in a college access program, she saw the value and influence programs like this can have on students from underserved communities. This influenced her commitment to social justice and education equity. Deysi hopes that future generations know that they belong in higher education and that they can walk on campus with confidence since their identities and experiences are equally valued and important.

Sarah graduated from the University of Idaho with a B.S. in Sociology and Economics. She began working at the College of Eastern Idaho, with Job Corps, as Workforce Coordinator. In this role, she supported low-income or disadvantaged people who wanted to pursue higher education. Sarah provided career guidance and opportunities, case management support, and managed outreach and admissions. She worked for a time within the Idaho Department of Corrections as a Case Manager coordinating resources and support for residents. Sarah has seen the impact programs like College Possible can have on individuals coming from underserved communities and is excited for the opportunity to rejoin that mission.

Phil is a recent Portland transplant originally from New York. Although he has lived in many cities across the United States over the last decade, he hopes to be able to call Portland home for many years to come. He has a B.A. in Philosophy and an M.A. in History, with a specialization in North African/Maghribi cultural history and a secondary specialization in Antebellum and Indigenous American history.

Phil began his professional life by volunteering for a term of service with AmeriCorps, via New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. He joined AmeriCorps after four years of college, but he grew more emotionally and professionally in two years with AmeriCorps than he had in his prior twenty-two years of life. Even after an additional five years in the non-profit sector and several subsequent years in education, he never lost sight of the impact that the AmeriCorps program had had on him. So he is thrilled to join College Possible as Navigate Program Manager, where he can once again work with AmeriCorps volunteers while also helping rural Oregonian students achieve their collegiate ambitions!

Outside of work, Phil can most likely be found playing guitar with other musicians or alone at the foot of his bed. You may also find him enjoying the outdoors with his fiancée and their dog. Or, on lazy days (which are more numerous than he cares to admit), you might find him playing his Nintendo or his PlayStation, or watching NBA basketball (Go Knicks).

Cassy is a graduate of the University of Portland, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in sociology. Cassy comes to us with professional experience as an Admissions Counselor of Diversity and Inclusion and Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Portland, where she worked to effectively recruit and retain students from underrepresented populations, plan and coordinate various student events, and manage relationships with college access partners and community-based organizations nationwide. Most recently, Cassy was the Manager of Partnerships for Education Pioneers. In this role, she established and fostered relationships with partner organizations to support high quality fellowship opportunities.

Yulissa comes from a first-generation, low-income background. Her parents are immigrants who came to Oregon in the '90s to start a better life for themselves and their children. Although not understanding English or the American culture, what they did understand is that education is the key to a better future. Yulissa is the oldest of four and growing up it was instilled in her, and her siblings, that they would go to college and graduate. This dream was not just her parent’s dream, it eventually became her dream. Being the oldest, Yulissa felt lost in the process and was unsure of how to do this. She got lucky in her junior year of high school. College Possible had expanded and was recruiting for its first cohort in Oregon. She quickly signed up and was accepted into the program. After joining, Yulissa had access to so much knowledge and resources. Thanks to College Possible, in 2019 Yulissa was able to become the first in her family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. This was a momentous year for her family; but it did not last long, in a good way, the following year, her younger sister also graduated with her bachelor’s degree. What was once a dream has now become a key milestone in her life. It is no longer something that they can only imagine but something that can actually become a reality and has now become normalized in her family. Yulissa can’t help but feel thankful for the impact that College Possible and other access programs have on families like hers. Her life trajectory and knowledge have greatly expanded and she is proud to be a bridge between the two worlds that she has been balancing in the United States.

Lisa has a passion and commitment to creating and maintaining student-centric learning environments that holistically advance the civic and economic success for all students. With particular focus on first-year experience, early alert interventions, learning analytics, and inclusive retention through curriculum strategies, her career journey has specialized in resource and pathway development for students seeking postsecondary advancement and economic opportunity that often remain unseen and underserved in higher education. As a first-generation college graduate, she is deeply rooted in understanding how a college education can transform an individual and a family for generations.

Emma was born and raised in Lawrence, Kansas where she attended the University of Kansas earning degrees in English and American Studies, with a focus on Women and Gender Studies.

Emma has more than 15 years of nonprofit experience fundraising for arts education, children’s advocacy, and housing and homelessness before joining College Possible.

Access to higher education has never been more important, or more inaccessible than it is today. Emma is excited to connect with community members around a shared commitment to education equity and give donors the opportunity to make transformational impact in the lives of Oregon youth.

Emma is a member of ninety-nine girlfriends and serves on the board of OAASIS (Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors in Service). She lives in Southeast Portland with her husband, young son, cat, and three chickens.

Annie brings natural enthusiasm to events. She loves welcoming people into spaces of belonging and offers vision and hope for their goals ahead. Spending her career in non-profit and volunteer management, she has planned and facilitated retreats, gatherings, workshops and conferences. She carefully starts with the purpose in mind and helps guests feel comfortable in group settings.

She graduated in 2007 with her BA in Ministry while raising two small children plus the ones she parented through foster care. She volunteers as a foster parent advocate, assisting parents as they navigate Child Welfare and helping adoptive families flourish. Annie has worked as a pastor and a coach, equipping volunteers to support people, communities and systems. She has Spiritual Direction and hospitality training and holds a trauma certificate from George Fox University.

Annie positions her efforts toward creating events that make an impact on ending generational poverty and help vulnerable groups of students realize their full potential. She is a writer, singer, dancer, snowboarder, personality coach, wedding officiant and ally.

Nicole is a first-generation college graduate who earned her bachelor’s degree at Western Washington University. She joined College Possible in 2014 because of her belief in the power of education and equitable opportunity for all students. She brings 10 years of nonprofit experience in fundraising, operations and communications. In her free time, Nicole coaches high school volleyball and loves to hike and explore the pacific northwest.

Maddie is a perceptive and enthusiastic professional with a dual degree from Kent State University, and a background in education, counseling and leadership in underserved communities. She has experience working with students of all ages in multiple educational fields including college access, career readiness, social-emotional learning and mental health. Notably, Maddie worked as a Social-Emotional Learning Intern for Red Oak Behavioral Health, where she facilitated interactive lessons to elementary students and built positive rapport with school staff.

She moved from Ohio to Oregon to become an AmeriCorps member and High School Senior Coach with College Possible Oregon. As a Senior Coach, Maddie supported more than 36 students through submitting college applications, writing scholarship essays and navigating financial aid difficulties. After her year of service, Maddie earned a role as Program Coordinator, where she aims to assist and inspire other AmeriCorps coaches in advocating for the students they serve.

Zach joined the College Possible Oregon team as Career Pathways Manager in 2022. With a B.A. from Arizona State University and an MPA from Portland State University, Zach comes to this work after most recently coordinating a professional development program out of the Center for Public Service at Portland State that launches graduate students into public service careers in Oregon. Prior to that, Zach’s career ran the gamut in the education field—from teaching high school Spanish, to training English teachers in Nicaragua as a member of the Peace Corps, to managing student success and retention initiatives at the University of Houston. It is during his time in higher education that Zach was intimately introduced to many of the inequities and barriers to college-readiness that students from low-income and marginalized backgrounds face. Supporting College Possible’s mission that ultimately seeks to yield economic mobility, job satisfaction, and life-fulfillment for the students the organization serves is a true honor. Outside of the office, Zach can be found hiking, enjoying live music, or playing board games with friends.

Casey began her work with College Possible in the Program Coordinator position, working in both the Flagship and Navigate programs for three and a half years. She took on the role of director of programs in December 2023. 

As a first-generation college graduate from a low-income background, Casey is passionate about educational equity and believes education should be a right, not a privilege. Growing up in a small, rural community in the midwest, college was not acknowledged as an option for everyone. After earning her degree in English and Secondary Education, Casey taught for a year before joining AmeriCorps, where she served students in one of our College Possible partner high schools. Casey’s personal experience to and through college, along with her professional experience working in education continue to fuel Casey’s commitment to college access and education equity. 

Outside of work, Casey is proud to be the mother of two small children who challenge and inspire her daily. She enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest.

Andrew grew up in a low-income household and had little support navigating college and financial aid applications. After finding mentors to help him with the process, he graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with a BA in English in 2004. Directly after college, he worked as a writing tutor and facilitator for spoken word workshops with youth. Over the next two decades he continued to work in community colleges and universities as a disability support specialist, academic advisor, counselor, and educator. He's passionate about making education more accessible, especially for historically marginalized communities.

Outside of his work at College Possible, Andrew helps program local film festivals, bakes, writes poetry, and spends time with his partner and their rescue dog, Felix.

With nearly two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector focusing on youth, women entering the workforce, and family homelessness, Bethany is passionate about access and equity in marginalized communities. Inspired by the mission of College Possible and the hope a college education can provide, she thrives on building relationships and championing social justice to better the lives of others. 

Bethany is a graduate of Western Washington University with a B.A. in Human Services, a degree that has opened doors for her to serve people with both empathy and advocacy. Outside of work she finds joy in snowboarding and camper van adventures with her husband and son.

Wren is from a small town in southeastern Idaho and has lived in Portland for a few years. She received her bachelor's of arts in English from Carleton College. After graduating, she did two AmeriCorps terms: six months with the Nevada Conservation Corps and three years with the AmeriCorps St. Louis Emergency Response Team. Doing national service was an impactful way to spend the first few years of her professional life, and she understands the personal challenges and rewards, and the difference it makes for the community.

Wren loves exploring the Pacific Northwest by hiking, camping and running; and taking it slow with knitting and gardening.

Clark Haass brings twenty-five years’ worth of marketing and business development experience to the Oregon Board. After working for Extended Systems for eight years, including serving as director of product marketing, he moved to Portland to work for Intel. For the past 22 years, Haass has been with Intel and is currently a Managing Director in Corporate Business Development. He is eager to bring his knowledge of strategic planning and marketing to the Oregon board. Haass received both a bachelor's and Master of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Wyoming and the University of Washington, respectively, and an MBA from Boise State University.

Northwest native, Thomas (Tommy) and his wife Kirsten are proud parents of their ten-year-old daughter, Quincey Elizabeth. To round out the family, the Bookmans have a four-year-old Havaton named Piper.  When they are not busy being "managed" by Quincey, the Bookmans enjoy local travel to visit family, everything outdoors and gatherings with friends. In addition, Bookman is a proud graduate, and former student athlete of Oregon State University (class of 1994) and is the employee benefits practice leader with Group Physician Advisory Services (division of The Partners Group) with over twenty-five years of industry related experience.

Karen Healey is a senior consultant at Slalom, an international consulting firm, and focuses on building high performing teams. Previous to Slalom, Karen had a career in marketing, leading marketing teams for organizations focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy. Her community work includes serving as a member of the education committee of 99 girlfriends (a women's giving collective) and serving on the board of Friends of Multnomah Public Library. Past volunteer experience includes volunteering with SMART as well as serving on the board of Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together local affiliates. In her spare time, you will find Karen reading, hiking or cooking (although not at the same time).

Erin serves as President of Quinn Thomas, a marketing communications and public affairs agency serving clients in healthcare, higher education and energy across the northwest. Erin’s expertise is in healthcare and technology communications and serves as strategic advisor to clients while also leading all aspects of the business. Erin comes to Quinn Thomas after many years in Washington, DC and London, where she was a communications professional for a key federal agency, global communications firm and a Fortune 100 company. Relocating to the Pacific Northwest, she was Director of Marketing and Brand Communications at Kaiser Permanente running integrated communications campaigns. Erin is passionate about volunteering and extending the Agency’s pro bono marketing and advocacy services to the community. Erin is a 2019 graduate of the Portland Business Alliance Leadership Portland Program and has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Towson University in Maryland. She lives in Northwest Portland with her husband Steve and daughter, Cameron.

Dr. Stephen Percy has dedicated his career to higher education in roles in including faculty member, dean, and university president at several universities, including the University of Virginia, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Baltimore and Portland State University. Stephen has served on a variety of nonprofit boards of directors in multiple communities focused on education, literacy, social development, nonprofit management and cultural appreciation. He has been a champion of urban universities that are dedicated to advancing educational achievement in their respective communities and embracing university-community partnerships. Such collaborations have enriched student learning, propelled solutions-based research, and contributed to advancing the people and organizations (civic, nonprofit, corporate and philanthropic) in the communities they call home. Stephen is excited about serving on the College Possible Board of Directors in Oregon as a means of sustaining a commitment to advancing opportunities for all students—especially students of color and students facing economic and other challenges—to achieve a college education and the social mobility it can create.

Geneva Stegemoller is a Wealth Management Consultant with The Partners Group. She has been with The Partners Group for 10 years and in the industry for 24 years. Geneva is very passionate about helping young individuals find their career path by mentoring through The Partners Group mentoring program and as a “Big” with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Geneva came to Oregon 15 years ago by way of Kansas City, Missouri. Go Chiefs! She has three children, ages 25, 22, and 19. When she is not at work you can find her playing golf, wine tasting or in the kitchen cooking for family and friends.

Ken Thrasher retired as chairman of the Board of Alternative Legal Solutions Inc. (dba Compli) in December 2018, and was its chairman and chief executive officer from 2002 through December 2009. Prior to joining Compli, Ken served 19 years in executive positions with Fred Meyer Inc., including serving as president and chief executive officer from 1999 to 2001, as executive vice president and chief administrative officer from 1997 to 1999, as senior vice president and chief financial officer from 1987 to 1997, and as vice president and treasurer from 1982 to 1987. In addition to College Possible, Ken also serves on the boards of directors of NW Natural, The Jensen Quality Growth Fund, Children’s Public/Private Partnership, and is on the OSU College of Business Dean’s Council of Excellence. He is also a senior director on the Oregon Business Council. Prior to 2020, Ken served as a member of the board of directors for GSL Solutions Inc, Children’s Institute, Friends of the Children, Education Northwest, the Portland State University Foundation, the Cradle to Career Council of All Hands Raised, Albertina Kerr Centers, the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and is past chair of Oregon’s Quality Education Commission. Ken has a B.S. in business administration from Oregon State University and in 2012 was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Portland State University.

Amy joined Children’s Institute in 2019 as another step in a career of public service. She worked as a policy advisor in Portland City Hall and then as a youth programs coordinator in various schools across Portland. Amy’s current work at Children's Institute is focused on embedding community engagement practices into policy advocacy. She is grateful for all the students and families who have shared their lives with her, and in turn, she hopes to elevate their voices at the policy table. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton College in sociology and anthropology with a concentration in educational studies.

Dr. Sona Karentz Andrews is a Professor of Geography and Provost Emerita at Portland State University. Sona began her college studies at the Nishan Palanjian Armenian College in Beirut, Lebanon and completed her bachelor’s degree in geography from Worcester State College in Massachusetts. Her master's and Ph.D. are from Arizona State University (also in geography). Sona has held faculty appointments in Geography at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Boise State University, and Portland State University. She has held administrative appointments at a number of the universities, including served as Portland State University’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice Chancellor of the Oregon University System, and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Boise State. Sona currently serves on the College Possible Board and the Portland Opera Board. Her previous board service includes Oregon Humanities, Planned Parenthood Willamette Valley, the City Club of Boise, Wisconsin Women in Higher Education Leadership, and the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. Sona is bilingual (she speaks English and Armenian).

Interested in supporting College Possible’s mission and championing the next generation of community leaders? The ambassador board is a volunteer group of young professionals (around or under 40) who raise support and awareness for College Possible to help students in Oregon achieve their goals while advancing educational equity. Please contact Bethany Rocci at BRocci@CollegePossible.org or (971) 407-2975 to learn more, or check out a full description here.

Sid Agrawal is a first-generation, low-income student. He remembers the struggles he went through in college trying to figure out all the details from signing up for classes to fulfilling all requirements for graduation. He wishes he'd had some help and being an international student didn't make it much easier. Sid hopes to be able to help the next generation so they don't have to go through the struggles he went through. Education has always helped him better his future and College Possible's mission resonates with him. Sid wanted to be more involved than just volunteering and the ambassador board was perfect.

When he's not volunteering, Sid loves sports and the outdoors. You can find him doing all kinds of activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, skiing, and playing tennis, hockey, and squash. He also enjoys reading, cooking, playing the piano, and learning French.

Lily Beck joined the ambassador board because she sees education as a catalyst for change and opportunity. After experiencing the challenges of getting to college herself and supporting her peers through facilitating student programming at Oregon State, she saw how much work needed to be done. She saw how this was compounded by the inequitable hurdles for students of different backgrounds and doing work that promotes college accessibility for all.

When she's not volunteering, Lily loves to paddleboard with friends and family, garden, try new restaurants, and enjoy all of Portland's thrift shops.

Erin Cathcart is on the College Possible Ambassador Board because she believes that higher education is a right for all who choose to embark on that journey. By helping to establish support networks for young folks pursuing this right, College Possible is helping to dismantle systems that limit the opportunity for those whose voices and perspectives are essential for the future success of our nation and our planet. Erin is deeply proud of the work College Possible is doing and is looking forward to where this organization goes next!

When she is not working or volunteering, Erin is often either frolicking in the forest, curled up with a good sci-fi book, spending time with her wonderful friends and family, or hanging out with her horse Trillium.

Mick Harris is a business attorney at Tonkon Torp in Portland, Oregon. His interests outside of work include writing, reading, podcasts, comedy, sailing, horology, fighting global warming and reveling in Portland's excellent restaurant scene.

Francie King believes in the power of community and mentorship to make the world better and bridge divides.

When Francie's not volunteering, she loves to read, community build, drink wine and travel.

Verenice León values the comprehensive work College Possible does to support students throughout their college journey. As a first-generation graduate, she wants to continue to use her personal experience, financial expertise, and community connections to help more students successfully complete higher education.

When she's not volunteering, Verenice likes to spend her time reading, listening to podcasts, traveling, wine tasting, visiting the Oregon Coast, going out to eat and spending time with family.

Zach Nacev joined the ambassador board because prior to law school, he worked for six years as a high school teacher. After moving away from that educational space, he wanted to continue his connection with schools and education equity.

When he's not volunteering, Zach loves to run, read, write, cook, play and watch soccer. But mostly, he loves to play with his kids!

College was transformational for Matt Sampson, and he was left with a huge guidance void when his mom passed away during his senior year of high school. The mission of helping students through the entire college journey is impactful to him as he was fortunate to find mentors in high school and college who did the same. Without those mentors, he's not sure he would have enrolled and graduated.

When Matt's not volunteering, he loves to get outside and enjoy all the natural beauty Oregon has to offer!

Tuyen graduated from the first College Possible cohort at Parkrose High School in Portland, Oregon. As a young professional and alum who "drank the Kool Aid" that is the College Possible program, she is eager to support the program and support more Oregon students to achieve the college dream and give back to her community. When not volunteering, Tuyen loves to explore Portland’s food scene and cook with her family.

Ro-Suhana Hafiz is a first-generation Rohingya born in Malaysia and raised in Portland, Oregon. Her parents, originally from Burma, came to the United States to give their children the chance to achieve the American Dream. A graduate of Reynolds High School, Suhana is currently a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she is majoring in Political Science. She is passionate about amplifying the voices of minorities and underrepresented communities like herself.

Suhana's journey toward the American Dream, marked by her college aspirations, has been supported by more than 13 scholarships, along with the unwavering support of her dedicated parents, four sisters and close friends. As a proud alumna of the College Possible program, which was crucial to her high school success, she is passionate about giving back by guiding other students on their paths to college while managing her own academic and family commitments.

Amelia has been a part of College Possible since 2021 when she joined as a student herself. As a first-generation student of color as well as an unaccompanied youth, Amelia has faced many challenges that have hindered her college journey. Fortunately, she found College Possible and currently attends Willamette University. She is very active in her WU community as a Bearcat Pantry Coordinator helping students access food, and as an Opening Days Leader helping new students acclimate to campus. Amelia also serves as Facilities Coordinator with the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Inclusion, helping maintain the Renjen Center for Equity and Empowerment where students from marginalized communities can find a safe space to be their authentic selves. Being a part of College Possible has helped her with her journey through college and shown her the value of helping others on their journeys in a multitude of different ways! She hopes that she has impacted students in the same ways that College Possible has impacted her.

RaNay is a 2nd-year business administration student at Willamette University with a passion for leadership and community building. They have been actively involved in the WU Residence Hall Association (RHA) and her sorority, and have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the student experience through RHA’s Destress Week. With strong organizational skills and a collaborative spirit, RaNay is excited to contribute to the College Possible Student Advisory Board by representing student interests and driving positive change within the program.

Anthony was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a first-generation student. He graduated from McDaniel High School in 2022. He spent his first two years at Portland Community College and then transferred to Oregon State University to pursue a Computer Science degree. He has been a student with College Possible since his junior year of high school. When he is not in school, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing basketball, and going to the gym.

Tony is an incoming first-year student at Oregon State University, majoring in bio health sciences on the pre-dentistry track. During his free time, he enjoys venturing into new experiences with his friends such as cooking, trying new foods and exploring the wilderness. When Tony isn’t around his friends, he’s most likely playing video games, volunteering or taking a walk with his pet dog. As a first-generation student and a College Possible Student Board member, he wishes to make college more accessible for other individuals such as himself.

Kayley is a freshman at Hamilton College, majoring in psychology with a pre-nursing focus. As a first-generation, low-income student, they benefited from College Possible over the past two years, gaining essential skills in financial literacy and essay writing. They credit their success to the support they received from the program and are dedicated to giving back to the community that played a pivotal role in their journey. With their strong interest in the humanities, Kayley is confident in their ability to offer a unique perspective to those they assist as a member of the Student Board.