Erin Wheeler, Ph.D., is Executive Director of College Beyond, a New Orleans-based nonprofit whose mission is to help students get to and through college. A native of Amite, LA, and a first-generation college graduate, Erin earned a B.S. in biology from Southeastern Louisiana University, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in STEM Education from Southern University and A&M College. ‍Erin has worked in higher education retention and success at Louisiana State University, where she led efforts to improve student success in STEM fields, and at Kentucky State University, where she was charged with re-envisioning the student success infrastructure to dramatically improve declining retention and graduation rates. As Assistant Provost for Student Success and Retention at KSU, she led the implementation of a multifaceted strategic plan based on research, high-impact practices and embodied innovation, and supported the institution to increase retention rates from 45% to 78% within two years. ‍As a social entrepreneur, Erin has founded a business, Be Preppy, as well as a non-profit organization serving the Amite area, each of which supports low-income students, first-generation students, and students of color on the journey to college access and completion. ‍Erin has also served her community through various civic and religious organizations since childhood. Currently, she is a board member and chief of staff of her mission-focused church, where she helps organize outreach events and capital campaigns. She is also a charter member of a new chapter of Delta Sigma Theta that emphasizes resourcing rural areas of North Tangipahoa Parish. She is a regular volunteer at local high schools to help improve college preparation as well as to provide general support and assistance.

Sarah Payne is Co-Founder and Strategy Advisor to College Beyond. Prior to College Beyond’s launch, Sarah served as the founding Director of College Counseling at Walter L. Cohen College Prep High School, where she directed college readiness programs and served on the school leadership team. Sarah has also worked in the Superintendent’s Delivery Unit at the Louisiana Department of Education, as Managing Director at the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, and as a classroom teacher at Capitol Middle School in East Baton Rouge Parish. She holds bachelor’s degrees in International Relations and French from Wellesley College, and is a Ph.D. candidate in Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, where her research focuses on higher education and inequity.

Erica brings more than 15 years of training and experience in clinical psychology and direct service with youth populations, and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Psychology from Mississippi State University. Specializing in trauma-informed care, case management, youth development, program development, and crisis support, Erica leads College Beyond’s coaching program development, direct student services, on-the-ground partnership management, data tracking, and student-facing communications.

Mia Gonzales Washington is a native New Orleanian, a devoted military wife, and a passionate mother to her two young boys. She holds a B.A. in Spanish and a Masters of Arts in Teaching, both from Xavier University of Louisiana, as well as an M.A. in Romance Languages from UNO. An educator since 2008, Mia has deep experience serving first generation college students and students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, facilitating academic growth and self-reliance, while focusing her efforts on student retention and graduation. When not working, she loves talking with her mom, attending church, and enjoys listening to audiobooks, volunteering, and making memories with her family.

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.

Destiny is a first-generation college graduate and holds a B.A. in Political Science from The Ohio State University. Through her activism work in different cities, she grew passionate about reimagining systems to be more equitable for historically excluded and underserved communities. Prior to joining College Beyond, she was a high school educator in New Orleans, which furthered her commitment to providing trauma-informed support for students seeking post-secondary opportunities and socio-economic mobility. When she is not supporting students, she is busy being a dog mom, eating sushi, and laughing with her loved ones.

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.

Michelle Anaba is an Americorps VISTA member and current Program Associate at College Beyond. As Program Associate, Michelle evaluates data and works to strategically enhance College Beyond programs. She also assists college success coaches with student outreach and engagement. She graduated from Towson University with a degree in Community Health and relocated to New Orleans to follow her passion for helping under-served communities.