Meet the dedicated staff and board members driving College Beyond's mission to help first-generation college students persist, thrive, and graduate. Learn who we are.
Our staff
Clara Baron Hyppolite
Executive Director
Clara Baron-Hyppolite is an accomplished, mission-driven leader with extensive experience in the education sector. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Neural Computation from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine from the Boston University School of Medicine. With a specialization in selective college admissions and college persistence for first-generation, low-income students, Clara brings a comprehensive and holistic approach to her work with students and staff. As a licensed professional counselor, Clara has a strong background in community-based mental health care, enabling her to understand and address the diverse needs of students. Her commitment to empowering students extends beyond academics, as she recognizes the importance of holistic support in ensuring their success. Previously, Clara served as the Site Director at College Track New Orleans, where she excelled in increasing college graduation rates, student attendance, and staff satisfaction. Through strategic leadership, she developed and implemented effective programs and curricula, resulting in outstanding outcomes. Clara's passion for the New Orleans community and her dedication to democratizing student potential drive her work. Outside of her professional pursuits, Clara enjoys dancing, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
Karaline Zeigler, LCSW
Director of College Programs
Karaline holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Masters in Social Work degree from Tulane University. As a graduate student, she worked to create and implement a resilience enhancement and vicarious trauma prevention program for New Orleans public school teachers. Prior to joining College Beyond, she served as Teacher Support Specialist for the Safe Schools NOLA team, a K-8 school social worker and site-coordinator with Communities in Schools and a math teacher at Gretna Middle School. As a former classroom teacher and school-based mental health professional, Karaline is passionate about using trauma-informed approaches to support college students in New Orleans to define and achieve their goals. When not working, Karaline enjoys cooking and eating with family and friends, taking long walks in City Park and reading fiction.
Julie Gamze-Elcin
Director of Post-Secondary Access
Julie Gamze-Elçin (she/her) is the Director for Post-Secondary Access at College Beyond. Originally from the Chicago area, Julie has called New Orleans home for over a decade. She holds a B.A. in Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American Studies from Tulane University, and is a certified interpreter and translator through the University of New Orleans. As a multilingual education access professional, Julie brings extensive experience supporting students and families in New Orleans schools. She is deeply committed to developing programs that center the lived experiences of students and their communities. Prior to joining College Beyond, she served as Director of Education Programs at Puentes. Julie worked closely with immigrant youth and families to expand access to post-secondary education and career pathways through culturally and linguistically affirming programming in local high schools. Julie grounds her work through strong relationship-building with students, educators and community partners to co-create inclusive, responsive pathways to post-secondary education and careers. In addition to her role at College Beyond, Julie is a certified Weikart Youth Work Methods facilitator, offering professional development for educators that promotes trauma-informed practices for positive youth development. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking and sharing meals with loved ones, running along Bayou St. John and in City Park, and unwinding with a good book or movie.
Caitlin W. Sheehan
Director of Development
Caitlin brings over 12 years of experience in nonprofit capacity building and development, with a focus on strategizing innovative ways to link programs, projects, and resources to streamline efforts and maximize impact. As a creative manager of ideas and resource development, she excels at connecting people and initiatives to influence positive change. Her approach emphasizes learning from the past to create forward-thinking solutions. Before joining College Beyond, Caitlin was the Director of Resource Development for Feeding Louisiana, where she led a collaborative effort among Executive Directors and CEOs of Louisiana’s five regional food banks and their development teams. Her leadership expanded SNAP Outreach through digital tools, secured funding to launch Nourish Line—Louisiana’s first statewide SNAP call center—and positioned Feeding Louisiana as the sole administrator of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) in the state. Caitlin’s passion for innovative solutions and equitable access to resources drives her commitment to creating meaningful change for communities across Louisiana and beyond. Every spring, you can catch her at the fairgrounds for Jazz Fest, or on the weekends playing soccer with her friends
Carolyn Le
College Success Coach
Carolyn is a native New Orleanian, hailing from the Westbank and Gentilly. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Xavier University as well as a double Master’s in Social Work and Public Health from LSU and LSU Health Sciences Center. As a public health consultant and social worker, Carolyn aims to empower everyone she works with. She specializes in working with individuals living with dementia; trauma-informed care; and behavioral and community health. When not working, you can often find her at City Park, playing volleyball, traveling, exploring, or taking her car out for a joy ride.
Alisen Reed
College Success Coach
Alisen Reed is a proud New Orleans native with a passion for student empowerment, community-building, and educational equity. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Mississippi University for Women. Alisen has spent several years working closely with high school and college students, supporting them through transitions, leading programming efforts, and coordinating large-scale events and community partnerships. She has experience managing student services, overseeing interns, and guiding young people in applying their skills both in and beyond the classroom. With a student-centered and relationship-driven approach, Alisen believes in meeting students where they are and helping them grow into the fullest version of themselves.
Nga Pham
Program Assistant
Nga is a Business Administration student at Louisiana State University of New Orleans with a 4.0 GPA. Through her strong background as an Operations Manager at her family's restaurant, she has developed experience in customer service, managing budgets, training staff, and implementing efficient systems. Nga is passionate about helping others succeed and is eager to apply her lifelong skills to support personal and team growth. Outside of work, she enjoys reading online books, listening to podcasts, doing nails, and spending time with her partner and siblings.
strong partnerships
micro grants
coach for success
prevent summer melt
college to career
strong partnerships
micro grants
coach for success
prevent summer melt
college to career
Our Board
Mauricio Sierra
Board Chair - Attorney | The Sierra Law Firm
Mauricio Sierra was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana as a first-generation American of Colombian and Honduran heritage. Mauricio is motivated by projects that make public spaces in our city more accessible and impactful for New Orleanians of all ages, and especially for our young people. His passion for public space and civil rights led him into the practice of law, and his work as an attorney prioritizes the civil rights and dignity of vulnerable people. In 2012, he co-founded Chess Communité to build artistic and functional chess tables and install them in local public spaces. Since its founding, he has been an ardent supporter of the non-profit organization Grow Dat Youth Farm, where he served on the Board of Directors from 2016 - 2022, and as Chair of the Board from 2018 - 2020. He joined the Board of Directors for LOOP Nola & College Beyond in the fall of 2023, where he hopes to continue to serve New Orleans for a better future. He is a writer and poet, and in 2016 he founded The Sierra Law Firm. He is also a passionate supporter of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Tale Lockett
Vice Chair - Executive Director | East Baton Rouge School System
A New Orleans native, Tale' Lockett graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Counseling with a minor in Special Education from Southern University and A&M College. Lockett went on to receive his Master's degree in Education Administration from Prairie View A&M University and Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Lockett has worked on all educational levels spanning elementary to high school. His commitment to education yields more than love for academia but passion for being of service to the community, educators, and students. He began his educational career as a Kindergarten and First-grade co-teacher in East Baton Rouge Parish School System. In Texas, he worked on the middle school level teaching Math, ELA, Special Education, and Behavior Intervention for Galena Park ISD. He also taught 9th-12th grade math courses for the Houston Independent School District. In addition to teaching high school mathematics, he served as an Assistant Principal for the middle and high school campuses. Mr. Lockett served as Principal with Arrow Academy Charter Schools and was promoted to the Director of School Support. Upon returning home to Louisiana, Mr. Lockett served as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Friendship Capitol before becoming Principal with Charter Schools USA at Baton Rouge Charter Academy Mid City and Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy in Lafayette, La. Mr. Lockett's primary educational philosophy is based on the belief that education is a conduit that offers America's greatest resource - our children - the opportunity to succeed. It's this belief that allows him to continue his passion for serving young people and others; this serves as a driver for his commitment and the well-being of the school community.
Sarah Payne
Board Secretary - Postdoctoral Research Associate | Yale School of Management
Dr. Sarah Payne is a sociologist and teacher. Sarah has worked in K-12 public education, college access, college persistence, and public interest organizing. She has been a certified middle school science teacher and a college counselor in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, and has worked with College Beyond since 2015, as a co-founder and strategic advisor. She is currently a postdoctoral research associate at The Broad Center at the Yale School of Management, and holds bachelor's degrees from Wellesley College and a MA and PhD in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley.
Paris Woods
Best-Selling author of the Black Girl's Guide to Financial Freedom and Financial Literacy Consultant
Paris Woods, EdD, brings 20 years of experience in public, private, and nonprofit educational settings to her role as Chief of Programs at YouthForce NOLA in New Orleans and Founder of College Beyond. A first-generation college graduate of Harvard University, Dr. Woods has dedicated her career to helping young people access higher education and escape poverty, mirroring her own experience leveraging her education as a tool for upward mobility.
Mike Woodward
Director of Education and Civic Engagement | Schott Foundation
Mike Woodward is an educator, mentor, and philanthropist. He currently serves as the Regional Program Officer (U.S. South) at the Schott Foundation for Public Education. In this role he works closely with grantees and external stakeholders to cultivate and support effective campaigns focused on building systems to provide all students an opportunity to learn and thrive. Mike comes to the Schott Foundation from College Track, where he served as the Site Director and the Regional Executive Director in New Orleans, and most recently the Chief Program Officer, working to support twelve centers and more than 3,000 first-generation college students nationwide from 9th grade through bachelor’s degree and beyond. Prior to College Track, Mike was a high school math teacher and department chair at Lake Area New Tech Early College High School in New Orleans. Mike began his career in education as director of special projects at Urban League College Track. As a first-generation college graduate, Mike earned degrees in Bioengineering and Human Biology from Stanford University and went on to earn his Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at Tulane University. While at Stanford, he founded the First-Generation/Low-Income Partnership (FLIP), a student group dedicated to supporting and advocating for first-generation college students from low-income households. Among his awards and acknowledgments, Mike has been selected as a Gates Millennium Scholar, a Ron Brown Scholar, an Emerging Philanthropist of New Orleans, and a W.K. Kellogg Foundation Fellow. He is currently a member of the Urban League of Louisiana and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Alumni Board. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mike is a self-proclaimed foodie and enjoys playing basketball, tennis, and chess.
Jarrett Woods
Vice President, Sr. Business Consultant | Chase Business Banking
Jarrett Woods brings over 13 years of experience in the financial services industry, with a career dedicated to empowering small businesses. Before joining JP Morgan Chase, Jarrett served as a policy analyst for the Florida Senate and later as the Regional Vice President of Operations for a nonprofit organization that provides lending solutions to businesses unable to access traditional capital. In this role, Jarrett managed people, portfolios, partnerships, and programs, working towards the organization’s ambitious goals. Currently, as a Senior Consultant at JP Morgan Chase, Jarrett provides critical resources, information, and opportunities that enable small businesses to grow and thrive. To date, Jarrett has facilitated access to over $16 million in capital for businesses and has delivered technical assistance to hundreds, if not thousands, of business owners across the Southeast and beyond. Jarrett is deeply passionate about educating business owners on tried and true methods for successful business management and is committed to helping individuals improve their quality of life. Their dedication to addressing systemic obstacles aligns with their strong connection to the city of New Orleans, the state of Louisiana, and the communities that call these places home.
Dr. Toya Barnes-Teamer
CEO | Teamer Strategy Group, LLC.
As CEO of Teamer Strategy Group, LLC., Dr. Toya Barnes-Teamer brings more than 30 years of experience in organizational effectiveness, strategic planning, board & staff development, coaching, facilitation, strategic enrollment management, student success, engagement & impact, research, assessment and evaluation. Barnes-Teamer provides expertise in federal, state and system-level research, policy, and cross sector collaboration. Prior to starting her own firm, she was a Principal at a DC based firm having served in leadership roles at 4-Year Private and Public Institutions, Community and Technical Colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Barnes-Teamer holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Loyola University and a Ph.D. from the University of New Orleans.
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