Larrell L. Wilkinson, Ph.D., currently serves as an associate professor of community health & human services (CHHS) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). His research interests focus on investigating the social and behavioral factors influencing the adoption of health-promoting behaviors. Specifically, he explores the societal, organizational, interpersonal, and individual determinants impeding healthier living, including experiences of perceived discrimination and social inequities. Through the efforts of the Wilkinson Wellness Lab, Dr. Wilkinson mentors students in health communication approaches to raise awareness of health concerns while championing causes that support improved circumstances for healthier living.

Dr. Tonya Perry is a Full Professor and Executive Director of GEAR UP Alabama and Red Mountain Writing Project. She holds a B.A. in English Education from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a master’s degree in English Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in English and Secondary English Curriculum from both the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I have been an English teacher in Orange County Schools in North Carolina, Birmingham City Schools, and Hoover City Schools. Her research focuses on marginalized
populations, particularly in literacy instruction in secondary schools. Helping children and families is her mission and passion. She believes that it is the investment in each other, in our communities,
that gives us hope for our future generations.

Samantha Elliott Briggs has a doctoral degree in Instructional Leadership and a master’s degree in Women’s Studies from The University of Alabama, as well as a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education from Clark Atlanta University. Dr. Briggs has over 20 years of experience in education as an urban school teacher, adjunct professor, curriculum writer, consultant, and director of non-profit education programs. In addition, Dr. Briggs is a consultant and curriculum specialist with her business, P.E.A.C.E. Consulting (Providing Equal Access to Children in Education). In this capacity, Dr. Briggs has served as an independent external evaluator on grant-funded initiatives. Dr. Briggs has authored both trade and juried publications as well as original curriculum for several non-profit education agencies. She has presented her research on local, state, national, and international platforms. Dr. Briggs has served GEAR UP Alabama as Region 5 Coordinator and Program and Communications Manager before becoming the Project Director in 2017.

Jamie M. Lewis is the Business Officer for GEAR UP Alabama. Jamie is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, who graduated from Alabama A&M University and is currently attending UAB, where she will receive her Master of Accounting degree in August of 2020. Since her time at UAB, she’s worked as a Program Coordinator for UAB Regions Institute for Financial Education (RIFE) under Dr. Stephanie Yates, the Director of RIFE and from there an accountant in Financial Affairs.  

Reashanda White has two bachelor degrees, one in African American Studies and another in Sociology, both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She also had a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Walden University. Reashanda has over 10 years’ experience developing, planning, implementing and managing programs as well as projects on grant-funded initiatives. She has worked planning and carrying out sex education projects, programs, and trainings in the Black Belt Region. She has also worked conducting community-based participatory research. Reashanda is also credited for networking, developing and maintaining effective collaborative relationships and partnerships with community-based organizations, academic institutions, businesses and corporations across Alabama. She joined the GEAR UP Alabama team as the program manager in 2018.

Migdawlaw A. Yisrael has a master’s degree in Information Engineering Management and a bachelor’s degree in African American Studies from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Ms. Yisrael has experience spanning 11 years in Higher Education within Student Affairs prior to joining the GEAR UP AL Team in December 2017.

Originally from Cupertino, CA, Rohit Koratkar came to Birmingham to pursue his bachelor’s degree. In 2018, Rohit obtained his undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In August 2019, he finished his Master’s in Biotechnology from UAB. Rohit serves as the Graduation Coach for the students in Region 1 of the GEAR UP Alabama grant. 

Stephanie Rudolph has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Master’s degree in Couple and Family Counseling from The University of Montevallo. She is retired from the United States Air Force Reserves. Stephanie is originally from Montgomery, AL where she was educated in the Montgomery Public School System, which is now the region she serves through GEAR UP Alabama as the Graduation Coach for Region 2.

Martez Files was born and raised in Birmingham, AL. He has Bachelor Degrees in both African American Students and History from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He completed his Master’s in Teaching with an emphasis on social justice education from Brown University and is currently working on his Ph.D. in Educational Studies in Diverse Populations with a concentration in Metropolitan Education Studies right here at the UAB School of Education. Martez serves as the Graduation Coach for all of Region 3 and a majority of Region 4. 

Ashton Ray is originally from Orange Beach, AL and comes to GUA with a Bachelor’s degree in English Writing from Mississippi College and a Master’s degree in English from UAB. Ashton worked as the Graduate Assistant for GUA for two years before coming on full time in September 2020 as the Graduation Coach for all of Region 5 as well as Choctaw and Sumter Counties in Region 4. 

LaNora Reddix Emziah is the Regional Coordinator for GEAR-UP Alabama. Ms. Emziah is a retired educational administrator from the Muscogee County School District in Columbus, Georgia. LaNora is a graduate of Spelman College where she received her Bachelor of Arts and Georgia State University where she received a Masters of Education and an Educational Specialist degree from Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally, she was certified at the sixth year level in Educational Administration at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. Professionally, she has been employed as a teacher, school psychologist and administrator. LaNora Emziah is active in her community, has served as on the Girl Scout Council and as a troop leader. She is a Life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., is a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. LaNora resides in Columbus, Georgia and has one daughter, Pamela and three grandchildren.

Dr. Prentiss Coleman is the Region 2 Coordinator for GEAR UP Alabama. Ms. Coleman is a wife and mother of two. She has worked in the field of education for 20 years throughout the state of Alabama and likes to consider herself a diverse, experienced and continual learner in education. Prentiss completed her Bachelor’s, Master’s and Education Specialists degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She went on to complete her doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2005. Prentiss has spent time as a school administrator in four districts in all levels K-12 in Alabama. Additionally, she has also worked as an Adult Education Instructor, Career and Technical Education Supervisor and currently instructs doctorate students in education administration. She is active in the community and has taken special interest in Generational Poverty and works on a special interest committee in the Junior League to help bring awareness and education on this topic. Prentiss finds the mission of the GEARUP Program to be exceptional, comprehensive and well-constructed. She feels it would be an honor to serve in such a program and help to give back to the southern Black Belt from which she hails.

Dr. Claudia J. Williams is a graduate of Miles College where she earned a BA degree in English and history education. She is also a graduate of UAB and The University of Alabama where she earned Masters and EdS degrees in English Education and instructional leadership as well as a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She has served as a teacher, middle and high school principal, Area Superintendent, and Chief Academic Officer for Birmingham City Schools. Since retirement in 2011, she has served as School District Liaison and adjunct professor at UAB.

Cathey H. Hendricks is a retired educator of the Montgomery Public School System, Montgomery, AL. She has a certification in Administration from Troy State at Montgomery, a Masters degree in Guidance & Counseling and Bachelor of Science degree from Alabama State University. She has also studied at Auburn University at Montgomery. Before retiring, Mrs. Hendricks worked in the field of education for 40 years. During that time, she served as a principal and assistant principal at an Arts & Magnet School as well as Traditional. She was a classroom teacher in Macon and Montgomery County, and an early childhood teacher in Heflin (Cleburne), AL. Mrs. Hendricks takes an active part in her community and is affiliated with many organizations. She is a member of The Lilly Baptist Church and Montgomery (AL) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated where she has served as an officer and chaired many committees. She resides in Montgomery, AL and is married to Irvin Hendricks. Together they have 2 sons, one daughter and one granddaughter.

Valerie Samuel Crawford is the Region 4 Coordinator for GEAR UP Alabama. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Alabama State University and a Master of Education Degree from Auburn University at Montgomery. Valerie has over 25 years of experience in Higher Education where she served as Admissions Counselor, Assistant Director of Enrollment Services, Associate Director of Enrollment Services and Director of Admissions and Processing. In 2013, Valerie retired from Auburn University at Montgomery. She also worked at Auburn University’s main campus before coming to AUM. Valerie is very elated to be a part of the GEAR UP Alabama Grant Program. She loves working and helping students. She resides in Montgomery, Alabama.

Lynne Marine is the Region 5 Coordinator for GEAR UP Alabama. Her entire 34-year career in education has been spent in the Black Belt Region of Alabama. Lynne received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Education degrees from the University of West Alabama. Professionally, she has served as a classroom teacher and Literacy Coach, as well as a Site Facilitator for GEAR UP Alabama working with Gordo High School and Pickens County High School. In addition, she has written numerous grants benefitting the students of the Black Belt. These grants include a Beaumont Foundation Grant and multiple grants in the arts, which enable underprivileged students to access and equity through standards-based lessons in arts education. She is honored to be a part of GEAR UP Alabama and believes deeply in its mission and purpose.

After 31 years as a professional educator, Dr. Jackie Stennis retired in 2012. Before retirement, she was Vice President of East Mississippi Community College where she was the Chief Campus Administrator for the college’s main campus located in Scooba, MS. Dr. Stennis worked for 10 years as Director for Student Affairs at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science; District Director for Adult Education and Workforce Training at EMCC; and has worked in the private sector for Weyerhaeuser Paper Company as a Technical Writer and International Certification Specialist. Additionally, she has taught elementary school for both Columbus City Schools and Lowndes County Public Schools. Dr. Stennis began her career with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in Philadelphia, Mississippi as a Reading Diagnostic Specialist.

Dr. Stennis began working with GEAR UP Alabama as a Site Facilitator in Pickens County serving Aliceville Middle School and Aliceville High School where she developed a very successful parent academy. Over two years Dr. Stennis encouraged the most parents to return to school to pursue a certificate or degree and has developed an extension of the Aliceville Parent Academy to work strictly with GUA Parent Scholars who need additional interventions and supports to be successful in their post-secondary pursuits.

As the GEAR UP Alabama Parent Coordinator, Dr. Stennis is available to help other GUA Site Facilitators develop (or strengthen) a Parent Academy in their school or district and to support our Parent Scholars in both the application and retention of their postsecondary education.

Dr. Royrickers Cook provides university-wide leadership for all outreach and engagement initiatives, spanning 12 colleges and schools, aimed at advancing Auburn University’s outreach mission of applying its educational resources to problems and issues faced by citizens of the State of Alabama and beyond. Dr. Cook is directly responsible for the following centers and institutes: the Center for Governmental Services, the Economic and Community Development Institute, the Office of Professional and Continuing Education, the Encyclopedia of Alabama, the Office of Public Service, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, the Office of Faculty Engagement and the Office of K-12 Outreach. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, he is actively involved in connecting Auburn University to the international community. This involvement includes working on international education programs in South America, Central America, Africa and Asia. Many of these programs promote faculty and student exchanges, educational tours, international program development, and training for educators, businesses and governmental officials from across the globe. A native of Auburn, Alabama, Dr. Cook holds three degrees in Public Administration and Public Policy from Auburn University, culminating with a Ph.D. in 2000. He also occasionally lectures in the Department of Political Science and the Master of Public Administration Program.

Dr. Kevin Rolle has more than two decades of progressive administrative experience in a wide array of governmental, public, and private organizations. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operation Officer at Alabama A&M University. In addition, he served as Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at South Carolina State University. Prior to his taking this position, he held the position of Vice President for Student Affairs at South Carolina State University. Dr. Kevin Rolle is currently serving as Chief of Staff at Alabama State University in Montgomery.

Felecia Jones-Lucky is Co-Principal Investigator for the GEAR-UP Alabama Project. Mrs. Jones-Lucky is the President of the Black Belt Community Foundation in Selma, Alabama. The Black Belt Community Foundation was established to support community efforts that contribute to the strength, innovation and success in Alabama’s 12 poorest counties—the Black Belt. As Executive Director of the Foundation, Ms. Jones values regular input from the communities and works diligently to strengthen the communities in the areas of the environment, health and human services, education, youth, arts and culture, and economic and community development in an effort to transform Alabama’s Black Belt.

Dr. McLean spent more than 30 of his 40+-year academic career as a faculty member and administrator in the College of Education at The University of Alabama. He served in all academic ranks including a Board of Trustees Appointed University Research Professor (1987). He has served as a department head, center director, assistant dean, and for nine years, Dean of the College. During his tenure as dean, the College of Education: Improved standards to the highest in the state and southeast, More than doubled its enrollment, Increased its external funding more than 10-fold, Increased its endowments more than 6-fold, Gained national ranking in top 3% of teacher preparation colleges, Currently, Dr. McLean serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Community-Based Partnerships, an initiative of the Division of Community Affairs at The University of Alabama. During his academic career, he has directed, co-directed, or administered well over 100 evaluation, assessment, and research projects in education funded for more than six million dollars impacting education at all levels. He has worked with schools, state departments of education, and the United States Department of Education. He has also served as the Chair of the American Educational Research Association Special Interest Group for Professors of Educational Research, President of the Mid-South Educational Research Association, Vice President for Research of the Holmes Partnership, and served on the Board of the Alabama Association for Teacher Education. He holds the two top teaching awards given by The University of Alabama including the prestigious National Alumni Association Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award. Dr. McLean holds degrees in mathematics, statistics, and research methodology from the University of Florida. He also served his country in the United States Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserve in the 1960s and early 1970s. Jim has been married to the former Sharon Elizabeth Robb for over 44 years and they have two grown children and two grandsons, ages 4 and 15 years. His hobbies include camping, hiking, sailing, and above all, riding motorcycles, which he has done for well over half a century.