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Indiana Commission for Higher Education

OUTREACH COORDINATORS

Heather Cooper is the Outreach Coordinator for the Southeast region. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education and a Master’s Degree in Education, and she has her realtor license. She has been with the Commission for five and a half years. Prior to working for the Commission, Heather taught middle school English at Southwestern Jefferson County for ten years and as an Outreach Coordinator for JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates). Heather serves her community in variety of ways. She has served on the Jefferson County Youth Shelter Board, the RiverRoots Music Festival Board,

RoosterTail Madison Regatta Music Festival Board, and was a founding member of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group in Jefferson County. As part of her role with the Commission, she has founded a regional rural task force and is part of a statewide rural task force, which are designed to bring resources to students living in poverty in rural areas. Heather is inspired by the work she does at the Commission. In her own words, “I am humbled to be part of a team that represents an opportunity that profoundly impacts the future of so many of Indiana’s young adults. From being in an office with like-minded, eager to help individuals to working in my region’s schools with passionate, compassionate, hardworking education professionals, my daily grind is more than rewarding. Watching first generation high school graduates becoming first generation college students, students that have recently gained citizenship embarking upon their new life, adolescents that have grown up in foster care taking charge of their future, and every student that works to see that they complete the steps to start their journey into being productive adults – whether it be with a certification, an associates, or a bachelors, it is inspirational to support them in their process.”

Zachary Cullum is the Outreach Coordinator for the Southwest region. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Evansville and an MBA from Murrary State. Zachary has been with the Commission for three years. Prior to his work here, he worked in higher education at Ivy Tech in Evansville, including financial aid, admissions and their ASAP program. In his spare time, Zachary raises Mason bees and has earned his 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do.

Zachary stated about his work at the Commission, “I am passionate about helping students achieve their educational goals in the most affordable way. Students have so much opportunity, but many don’t know everything that is available to them. I enjoy working with students to introduce them to resources that line up with their future careers.”

Frederick Jackson is the Outreach Coordinator for the Northwest region. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Joseph College and an Associate degree in Marketing Technology from Indiana Vocational Technology College. Frederick has been with the Commission for five years but with the 21st Century Scholars Program 27 years. He has also worked for Ivy Tech Community College as a financial aid advisor, public relations manager covering three campuses, and an academic advisor. He was the first athletic director for the sports program under the NJCAA (division 12) basketball program at Ivy Tech College Gary Campus.

He has been recognized as the recipient of the 1989 Outstanding Young Men Award and a St. Joseph College Presidential Citation. In his community, Frederick is a member of Gamma Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, a board member of the John Will Anderson Boys & Girls Club Gary, and a member of United States Chaplains Association. He has a life membership with the NAACP and is a former member of both the Gary KIWANIS Club and the Gary Chamber of Commerce. Outside of work, his main interest in ministry. He is the senior pastor of True Foundation Church in Gary, IN. In June 2012, he was elevated to the office of The Bishopric by Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. presiding prelate of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International as the State Bishop of Indiana. Frederick stated, “I chose the Commission for the commitment to helping advance the lives of students who demonstrated the need for financial assistance to attend college. Many children don’t get a chance or have the opportunity to pursue a career. What inspires me the most is watching students in the scholar's program achieve that first milestone in life receiving their college degree. “

Dr. Verleaish Jones is the Outreach Coordinator for the Northeast region. She has two Bachelor’s degrees from Indiana University in Theater and in African American History, two Master’s degrees from Indiana Wesleyan University in Management and in Advanced Leadership, and a Doctorate of Education from Oakland City University in Educational Leadership. Dr. Jones has been with the Commission for eight years, but she previously the 21st Century Scholars Director for the Lake County area. She was also an associate director for the League for the Blind and Disabled. She has been recognized by former Governor Evan Bayh with the

prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash. Outside of her work with the Commission, Dr. Jones enjoys reading, attending events for her grandchildren and working with interns from Purdue Fort Wayne. She serves on the board for the League for the Blind and Disabled and volunteers for Fort Wayne Tapestry. On why she works for the Commission, Dr. Jones stated that she wants to assist youth and families with their educational goals. She’s inspired when youth achieve their goals and reach back to help others. She is most passionate about her family.

José Medina is the Outreach Coordinator for the Central region. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Minor in Transborder Studies from Arizona State University. José has worked for the Commission for two years. Prior to joining the Commission staff, he was a bilingual match specialist with The Starfish Initiative and a child nutrition programs specialist for the world’s first food bank (St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, AZ). He has served on the CAUSE Council, the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network and the Human Rights Campaign.

In why he wanted to work at the Commission, José commented, “Everyone had (and still has) nothing but super wonderful things to say about the Commission when I worked with them in my previous role at a Community Partner. I was beyond thrilled to join the wonderful work we do in not just preparing Hoosiers for a post-secondary education and or to join our talented workforce, but to make a difference in breaking the cycles of poverty and inequality. As a son of immigrants looking for a better life for them and their children, I see myself in the people we serve every day and I truly want them to access the next level in their life through what we provide.”

Rachel Meyer is the Outreach Coordinator for the West region. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts with a concentration in Public Relations from Ohio Northern University. She has earned her cosmetology license for Indiana after training at AVEDA Fredric’s Institute. Rachel has worked for the Commission for almost seven years. She started in student support and administered the two student teaching stipend programs before becoming an outreach coordinator. Some of her prior work history includes being a Marketing Assistant at Lima Memorial Hospital, Stylist at Wildflowers AVEDA Salon & Spa, and Customer care at Malibu Wellness.

Outside of the Commission, some of Rachel’s interests are fair trade goods, including volunteering with Global Gifts and Ten Thousand Villages stores since she was five years old! She also loves travelling, arts and crafts, reading, and caring planets and flowers and growing a garden. She especially loves her dog Mimsy. About her work at the Commission, Rachel said, “I wanted to work at the Commission because I believe continual education is one of the most important aspects of life. When I discovered ICHE also offered generous student financial aid and had Outreach staff to assist families, I was hooked! The opportunity to give a hand up to a student inspires and motivates me. As Outreach Coordinators, we do not often see the direct outcome of our work with students and their families, but I know the power of scholarships can push students toward the finish line of a degree or credential. I let my students know they have high expectations because I know they can do it! The Next Level Jobs program has good traction in my region and is getting families excited about higher education and hope for better-paying jobs again. I’m passionate about seeing students achieve their goals and have a smoother transition into adulthood…whether it’s earning a college degree with little-to-no debt, or improving their career with a better-paying job or promotion thanks to more education/training! I love being a cheerleader for everyone in my region! I wish the best for them, and want them to know about all of our free tools and resources (and wonderful community partners) to help them along the way. Listening to feedback from students to continually improve my service to them led to my ‘passion project,’ creating a YouTube series addressing topics that students suggest.”

Amy Parraga is the Outreach Coordinator for the North Central region. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Indiana University Kokomo. She currently holds an Indiana Teacher’s License for English for grades 5-12. She has worked for the Commission for 8 years but has worked with the 21st Century Scholars program for 23 years. She was the Site Coordinator at Indiana University Kokomo for 15 years. She serves on the Early Childhood Education steering committee for Howard County and on the middle school PTA board.

Outside of work, her interests are performing with a cultural dance group and volunteering with Kokomo Community Cats. About her work with the Commission, Amy commented, “As a first generation college student, I know firsthand the impact that education has had on my life. I am always looking for opportunities to connect with young people and help them see the importance of pursuing postsecondary education. Working with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education has given me the change to impact Indiana families by helping them to see the benefits of higher education.

Ali Szymanski is the Outreach Coordinator for the East region. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology with environmental concentration from Indiana University. She has been with the Commission for four and half years. Previously, she was a substitute teacher at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and as a lab supervisor Geotechnical Engineering Firm. She also served as an AmeriCorps member at Ivy Tech Community College for the Commission’s ScholarCorps program. Ali is passionate about serving as a CASA and working youth who have experienced foster care and homelessness.

In why she wanted to work at the Commission, Ali stated, “I wanted to work for the Commission after a series of life changing events that helped me to reevaluate where I was investing my professional and personal time and energy. I had come to a place where I wanted to redirect my career path into higher education. The importance of education has been emphasized to me my entire life. This emphasis on education allowed for me to draw the correlation between; one’s ability to overcome inherited difficulties or poverty and one’s access to quality education beyond high school. I see the work that the Commission does as meaningful and impactful to the communities throughout the State of Indiana and I wanted to be a part of the positive impact. The students, families and communities we serve truly inspire me. The parents who want better for their children and their future grandchildren. The students who are able to overcome situations of extreme adversity, full of determination and grit. The grassroots community organizations that come together to spread the importance of higher education and burst the bubble of inaccessibility to it. I am most passionate about providing assistance to sensitive underserved populations. During my time at the Commission the Foster Care youth and homeless youth have become two populations that I am working closer with, in hopes of improving their knowledge and accessibility to education beyond high school.”

Director of Postsecondary Outreach and Career Transitions Jarod Wilson JWilson@che.in.gov 317-232-102

Director of School and Community Outreach Barbie Martin BMartin@che.in.gov 317-232-0455

Postsecondary Outreach and Career Transitions Manager Brittany Collins BCollins@che.in.gov

317-232-2981

School and Community Outreach Manager Greg Harrell GHarrell@che.in.gov 317-232-1072

Northwest Region Outreach Coordinator Fred Jackson FJackson@che.in.gov 317-617-0362

Northeast Region Outreach Coordinator Dr. Verleaish Jones VJones@che.in.gov 317-617-0237

West Region Outreach Coordinator Rachel Meyer RMeyer@che.in.gov 317-447-4870

North Central Region Outreach Coordinator Amy Parraga AParraga@che.in.gov 317-617-0223

Central Region Outreach Coordinator Jose Medina JMedina@che.in.gov 317-617-0318

East Region Outreach Coordinator Ali Szymanski ASzymanski@che.in.gov 317-617-0249

Southwest Region Outreach Coordinator Zachary Cullum ZCullum@che.in.gov 317-617-0317

Southeast Region Outreach Coordinator Heather Cooper HCooper@che.in.gov 317-617-0329