College Prep Roundtable Operation Managers - Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable

The College Prep Roundtable Operation Managers

THOMAS BUTLER

Thomas is currently the Executive Director of the Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable; a network of over 300 college access and attainment professionals and advocates across the greater Philadelphia region. Butler has convened this network for over 30 years providing oversight of monthly meetings, annual conferences, and a communications network inclusive of a website, an email list, and several social media systems.

In the past, Thomas has served as Executive Director of Project GRAD Philadelphia and Executive Director of the CORE Philly Scholarship Program where his primary responsibility was to oversee the awarding of up to $40 million in scholarships to Philadelphia high school graduates. Additionally, he was the Director of the Philadelphia Education Fund’s College Access Program and Director of Admission at Cheyney University of PA.

Thomas’ professional affiliation and appoints includes:

Board of Directors (Chair), F.E.L.L.O.W.S
Board of Directors, ACCEPT – Admissions Community Cultivating Equity & Peace Today
(Philadelphia) Mayor’s Commission for African American Males
Served as a Vice-Chair for the Community College of Philadelphia’s Board of Trustees
Served as President of the Project GRAD Philadelphia Board of Directors
Served as President of the Pennsylvania Association of College Admission Counseling
Executive Advisory Member of the Black Male Development Symposium

He has received numerous awards including:

(2022) Mayor/s Office of Philadelphia Citation for Service to the City
2021 National Association for College Admission Counseling’s “Gayle C. Wilson Service to Education Award”
The Black Male Engagement (BMe) Community Leadership Award
The Legacy of Love Foundation, Inc.’s Men Making a Difference in the Community Awards – recipient of the Educational Excellence Award
Phi Delta Kappa, Tau Chapter – Dedicated Service to Public Education Award
National Association for College Admission Counselors’ Outstanding Leadership in Government Relations Award
The Congressional Black Caucus’ School District Leadership Award
Community College of Philadelphia’s Distinguished Leadership Award
The PA Association for College Admission Counseling Human Relations Award
100 Black Men Making a Difference Award

Thomas received his Bachelor’s Degree from Cheyney University and holds a Masters Degree in Counseling in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Thomas is also a graduate of the Urban League of Philadelphia’s Leadership Institute and the Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel Leadership Institute.

He is a proud member of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Nancy W. Campbell, M. Ed.

Ms. Nancy W. Campbell is Founder and Chief Strategist of NWC Eduomics LLC, an educational consultancy specializing in college & career readiness, curriculum design, and professional development. She is also a member of the Adjunct Faculty at the Community College of Philadelphia in its Corporate Solutions Division. Ms. Campbell has been on the Board of Advisors of PHL Diversity (a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau) for more than 25 years and served as Chair and Co-Chair of its Education Committee for close to half that time. She has also served as a member of the Board of School Directors for the School District of Jenkintown for eight (8) years. Ms. Campbell has been a member of Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable for over 25 years, and currently serves as the Chair of the Monthly Networking Committee. She is a Philadelphia area native, with a Bachelor’s degree in French and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education, Curriculum and Teaching, both from Howard University.

Dr. Toni Damon

With over 29 years in education and leadership, Dr. Damon started her education as a cosmetologist teacher at Chester High School in Chester PA. After 10 years of teaching, she began her administrative work serving as District Liaison/Assistant Director for the Delaware County Technical Schools/Delaware County Intermediate (2 years), Assistant Director for Central Montco Technical High School (5 years), and Principal at Murrell Dobbins CTE High School (9 years), a Community School in The School District of Philadelphia, Principal at Cherry Hill High School West in Cherry Hill, NJ (2 years). Currently, Dr. Damon is the founder and Chief Consultant for DamonEd Consulting, an educational consultant for CCRES and Foundations, Inc., and serving as a Guest Principal for the School District of Philadelphia. She is a licensed and ordained minister and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Damon has a BS in Education (Vocational Education) from Temple University, an M.Ed (Special Education) from Cheyney University of PA, and an Ed.D. from Saint Joseph’s University. She holds the following certifications: PA Teaching, Special Education, Vocational Director, Principal, Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, and in NJ Principal and Administrator/Superintendent. Dr. Damon is married (Gerald, a teacher) and has 3 children, (Kenae a teacher, Taylor 14, and Aiden 9). She also has 2 Godchildren, Hailey (19) and Max (16) who live with her as well.

Nasser Jones

Nasser Jones is a highly skilled professional with a diverse set of expertise spanning various digital platforms and software applications. He demonstrates exceptional proficiency in internet-based applications, CRM and CMS systems, including Facebook, Google Apps, and WordPress, as well as a comprehensive understanding of email nurture campaigns and written content. Nasser also possesses expert-level skills in advanced form software, such as Jotform, Typeform, Gravity Forms, and Formstack, which allows him to effectively create and manage interactive forms for a wide range of purposes.

In addition to his expertise in software applications, Nasser is an accomplished graphic designer and video editor, with experience using programs like Photoshop, InDesign, Canva, Premier, iMovie, and Final Cut Pro. He has a strong background in social media marketing, implementing ROI-focused ad campaigns across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Nasser also excels in sales processes, sales funnels, and proposal development, leveraging his deep understanding of both Mac and PC systems, hardware, and mobile applications.

Beyond his technical skills, Nasser is an effective communicator, boasting excellent public speaking, presentation, and training abilities. As a highly successful leadership trainer and development coach, he has a proven track record of fostering team building and resolving conflicts. Nasser is proficient in information technology and multimedia integration within business and education settings, and he has a strong grasp of Microsoft Office, Apple, and internet applications, including CMS, HTML, and social apps. With this comprehensive skill set, Nasser is well-equipped to take on a variety of roles and contribute meaningfully to any project or organization.

Jody Markley

Jody Markley is the director of Temple University’s TRIO Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science programs, which serve approximately 150 high school students from the School District of Philadelphia, specifically targeting Ben Franklin, Simon Gratz, Strawberry Mansion, and Dobbins high schools as well as The U School. She has over 30 years’ experience in education, diversity and inclusion, and college access, and recently served as the inaugural director of the Tichenor-Greer Scholars Program at Chestnut Hill College, a scholarship and support program for 100 students of color majoring in STEM.

Prior to that, she provided diversity, equity, and inclusion support to the Russ College of Engineering and Technology at Ohio University as Director of Multicultural Experiences, and previously directed Penn State’s TRIO Upward Bound Math and Science program, working with the school districts of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Reading for 15 years. There she directed summer research experiences for urban and underrepresented high school students with over 25 faculty, over 20 graduate and post-doc students, and 10 undergraduate students from 4 Colleges: Science, Earth and Mineral Sciences, African and African American Studies, and Agricultural Science, across the disciplines of: African and African American Studies, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Energy and Mineral Engineering, Fuel Science, Geography, Geoscience, Industrial Health and Safety, Materials Science and Engineering, Meteorology, Mining Engineering, Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Physics, Statistics and Quantitative Forest Ecology.

Jody has a B.S. in Education and an M. Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Leadership and is a certified teacher. She is completing a Ph. D. in Educational Leadership.

She has developed programs in STEM readiness, successful college transition, SAT and GED preparation, character education, personal and professional development, job-readiness and career awareness, performance-based and developmental education, virtual learning, student leadership, positive behavior management, and student motivation. She is committed to equipping students to succeed in realizing their dreams and challenging them to achieve excellence. She also consults with schools, community organizations and educational programs to help them develop exemplary and effective programs for students.

Candace Powell Kinard

Candace Powell Kinard is a Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable (PCPR) charter member and currently serves as a volunteer on the Operations Leadership team. She has 35 years of experience in higher education, is a Certified Financial Educator and owner, founder and Executive Consultant of EduDreamer Consulting, LLC. She serves the Philadelphia, Delaware, and New Jersey regions managing college access projects, providing professional development, and consulting on paying for college to high school counselors, non-profit organization staff, students, and families.

Candace’s rich experience also includes working in college admission at Arcadia University, directing and creating new college access program initiatives, supervision of school-based practitioners, and managing college access centers as the Managing Director for a non-profit organization in Philadelphia.

Her work spans nationally as the Chairperson of the Philadelphia National College Fair and a conference presenter for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Candace has also been a featured presenter during conferences for the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), Experian’s Paying for College event and as a faculty member for the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC). She has been recognized by her peers and honored with the PACAC Gary M. Kelsey Human Relations Award.

Terri White

Ms. White is currently retired and spends most of her time volunteering for local nonprofits bringing her over 40 years of experience in higher education project management and academic program administration. She currently serves on the Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable Leadership Operations Team. She also serves as a State Volunteer for AARP and a program volunteer for the breast cancer awareness nonprofit, Praise Is The Cure, Inc.

During Michael A. Nutter’s tenure as Mayor of Philadelphia (from 2009-2017), Ms. White served as his Higher Education Advisor in the Office of Education. She was responsible for managing the city’s strategic planning process designed to achieve the Mayor’s bold education goal of doubling the number of Philadelphians with an earned baccalaureate degree. Ms. White worked collaboratively with key education partners – including the School District and Archdiocese of Philadelphia, charter schools, higher education institutions, non-profits, community organizations, foundations, businesses, students and parents – to align existing resources and develop innovative coordinated strategies designed to systemically increase the City of Philadelphia’s college going and completion rates.

Ms. White brought to this work over 30 years experience in higher education. She served as an academic administrator at the University of Pennsylvania for over 20 years where she provided visionary leadership to eight fully staffed offices responsible for offering co-curricular programs and supportive services to designed to assist Penn students in earning their undergraduate degrees, as well as college preparatory programs targeting middle school, high school and adult students from the surrounding community.

The first ten years of her career were devoted to administering programs that supported low-income, first-generation students in achieving their academic and career goals at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Ms. White earned her Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Education at the University of Illinois.

Janine Wright

A member of the volunteer PCPR Operations Leadership Team, Janine currently manages the K-16 partnership work for PHENND (Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development), a consortium of nearly thirty colleges and universities in the Greater Philadelphia area. Prior to joining PHENND, she spent over twenty-five years in the nonprofit sector focused primarily on college access and success, community-based education and engagement and professional development. Janine began her career as an agency relations manager for United Way member agencies focused on addressing the needs of low income women and children. She served as the Assistant Director for Minority Recruitment at the University of Pennsylvania and was part of the inaugural staff of the Philadelphia Education Fund’s College Access Program (later serving twice as its director).

Later, Janine managed the E3 Centers project at the Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN), neighborhood centers for young people seeking a GED or returning from juvenile adjudication. She also directed the agency’s professional development initiatives for its sixty member agencies.

Janine received both her bachelor’s degree in communications and her master’s degree in urban education from Temple University and was a LEADERSHIP Fellow with LEADERSHIP Philadelphia.