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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Tanisha Tate Woodson is a social scientist and community-based researcher with extensive experience managing large-scale, collaborative projects in behavioral health, equitable education, family engagement, college readiness, and youth development. She is passionate about using culturally responsive, equitable evaluation methods to address structural inequities across race, class, and gender.

Dr. Tate Woodson is committed to supporting organizations that need help bringing value to their findings and using participatory methods to elevate the voices of community members and key stakeholders. She has authored peer-reviewed articles, presented her research at national conferences, and taught college courses in research methods, program evaluation, and community-based research approaches. She earned her master’s degree in Health Management and Policy from the University of Michigan and her doctorate in Social Welfare from Case Western Reserve University.

When she is not engaging communities in conversations, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two growing sons.

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.

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).

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.

Sophiya is a fearless and resourceful leader who thrives on tackling new challenges with perseverance and strategic thinking. She is passionate about Portland General Electric’s and the regions clean energy transition while ensuring resource adequacy across the West. Sophiya has supported PGE’s commercial initiatives around capacity procurement and her leadership has also been instrumental in resolving issues within PGE’s regulatory proceedings with significant cost recovery implications.

Sophiya holds a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy and Materials Science Engineering.

She and her husband, Kai, enjoy raising their daughter, Farah. Sophiya finds joy in cooking for her family and friends.

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.

Jack is a former College Possible Access Coach who developed a passion for education equity through this organization. He has experienced the impact College Possible has in the lives of its students and he is enthusiastic to continue supporting Oregon students pursue a bachelor's degree. When Jack's not volunteering, he likes to play and watch sports, hike in the Pacific Northwest, play puzzle games and explore the city of Portland. He also enjoys listening to sports and historical podcasts, and he loves reading a plethora of book genres.

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.

Lily Jackson works as a Client Service Specialist at Mercer Advisors, where she supports clients and advisors in achieving their financial goals. Before transitioning into finance, she worked as a nanny, a role that instilled the importance of empowering young people and supporting their growth. Lily holds a degree in Communication Studies from Portland State University and brings
a strong foundation in relationship-building, empathy, and effective interpersonal skills. She lives in NW Portland with her wife and two cats. Together they enjoy trying new restaurants, exploring local wineries in the Willamette Valley, traveling, and spending time with family.

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!

Jamison Shields is a commercial real estate broker and specializes in the leasing, acquisition, and disposition of Office properties throughout the greater Portland Metropolitan area. His
expertise includes market analysis, financial modeling, consulting and site selection. Before his start as an advisor to Office tenants and landlords, Jamison led the Colliers Portland
research department for nearly three years. During this time he developed a deep understanding of the Portland market and the fundamentals that drive real estate decision
making. He transformed Colliers research into a highly credible and often sited source in the Portland market. His ability to transform complex data and trends into digestible and easy to
understand reporting resulted in becoming a favorite among local and regional news outlets. Prior to Colliers Jamison worked for an East Coast based boutique student housing developer
providing asset management and development services, in addition to leading the placement of debt for the West Coast. Jamison is native to the Portland-metro area and a proud graduate of Oregon State University. Go Beavs!

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.