Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1899 ariannad@onwardwelearn.org Arianna is a graduate of Shea High School in Pawtucket and went on to earned her Bachelor of Arts in English with a Theater Literature focus from Providence College. She was a part of various clubs such as the Poetry Club and a Peer Mentor Club. She is an alumna of our program and has completed over 1,000+ hours of programs. She also works on costume maintenance for the Wilbury Theater Group in Providence.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1802dclement@onwardwelearn.org Dwayne Clement graduated from Central High School in 1997. He went on to attend Rhode Island College and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1898eitkin@onwardwelearn.org Eli Itkin, a graduate of Shea High School in Pawtucket, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Rhode Island College and previously attended Husson University in Maine. He has coached basketball and tennis, including at Shea, and brings a commitment to youth development and college access to his advising role.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-519-0205ewelborn@onwardwelearn.org Ellie Welborn comes to Onward We Learn from City Year Providence, where she worked at Delsesto Middle School for the past two years after being an AmeriCorps member and team leader. She graduated from Cameron University in her native Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in international languages and was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Indonesia.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1872ekhiev@onwardwelearn.org Eric Khiev earned his Bachelor of Science degree in health studies with a minor in thanatology at the University of Rhode Island in 2019 as a Talent Development scholar. Prior to joining the organization, Eric worked in roles such as residential advising, administrative/clerical work, providing behavioral therapy to neurodivergent youth and as former board member and secretary at the Providence Youth Student Movement.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1875jalonzo@onwardwelearn.org Jeimmy Alonzo graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in psychology and Spanish and minoring in human development and family studies. At URI, she worked part time as a tutor in the Spanish department and became a general manager at the Ram’s Den retail food court. She is alumna of our program.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member (401) 484-8566jsaab@onwardwelearn.org Jimmy H. Saab earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Community Health & Wellness at Curry College in 2020. He also earned his Master's of Exercise Sports Science in Strength & Conditioning at Merrimack College in 2022. Prior to joining the organization, Jimmy worked in roles such as a youth sports coaching, sports performance specialist, and as a research assistant at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1867jpari@onwardwelearn.org Joellyn Pari graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. While at the University of Rhode Island she was a Resident Assistant. Before joining Onward We Learn, she worked as a Behavioral Health Specialist at Bradley Hospital.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1902mgonzalez@onwardwelearn.org Maria Gonzalez was born and raised in Providence, graduating from E-Cubed Academy High School in 2017. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Rhode Island College in 2021, becoming the first in her family to hold a college degree. Before joining the organization, Maria gained experience in student affairs while working at the Undergraduate Admissions Office at Rhode Island College and Enrollment Services at the Community College of Rhode Island.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1935mgambardella@onwardwelearn.org Matt Gambardella, a graduate from Rhode Island College with a degree in English and Communication, joins Onward We Learn having held a variety of education related roles, spanning from the middle school classroom setting all the way to a college admissions office. These experiences, along with coaching high school tennis, have progressed his passion for working in roles in which he can be a supportive and resourceful advocate for youth.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1810mperez@onwardwelearn.org Maura Perez recently graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. She is bilingual and has experience with translating for young students and their families. As an undergraduate, she worked for the U.S. Census Bureau and engaged in volunteer work within her community. Maura grew up in South Providence and was the first person in her family to graduate from college.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-519-0303mduran@onwardwelearn.org An Onward We Learn Alumni, Michael Duran earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology at the University of Rhode Island, where he was a Talent Development Scholar. While at URI, Michael was undergraduate research assistant for PATHS Labotory, where he helped graduate students conduct research on health disparities related to substance use among marginalized and underserved populations; earning himself awards from URI in Outstanding Contributions to Psychology Junior and Senior Award, and first place in the Academic Health Collaborative Awards. Prior to joining Onward We Learn, Michael worked as a behavior technician at Bierman Autism Centers, where provided ABA therapy to children that are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1837nbenzan@onwardwelearn.org Neni Benzan was born and raised in Providence and was a Talent Development Scholar at the University of Rhode Island, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with minors in leadership, business, and human development and family studies. While at URI, Neni served as director of public relations for the Interfraternity Council, resident advisor, orientation leader, and behavior technician for children with autism. He is a Onward We Learn alumnus and says his drive for success stems from helping others recognize their true potential through intellectual, moral, social, and emotional development.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1833sleimer@onwardwelearn.org Sage Leimer graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 2021 with her bachelor’s in psychology and a concentration in Peace and Conflict Studies. Before joining Onward We Learn as a High School Advisor, Sage previously worked in Central Falls with their Multilingual Learners programs, at Federal Hill House as a Teen Summer Program Leader, and at Holy Cross with their Passport program for first-generation college students.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1831slarbi@thecollegecrusade.org Seth Larbi joined Onward We Learn from College Advising Corps, where he was a college and career advisor at Tolman High School assisting about 260 high school seniors with college applications and delivering career assistance. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Africana studies, with minors in political science and sociology, from Rhode Island College and is pursuing his Master of Science degree in sports management with an athletic administration concentration at Lasell University.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1805sgoncalves@onwardwelearn.org Shanice Goncalves earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science with a concentration in justice studies and international nongovernmental studies from Rhode Island College. She previously worked as volunteer coordinator at Dorcas International, where she managed supplementary volunteer workforce from corporate, religious, academic, and community partnerships such as Brown University, Providence College, Bank of America, and Hasbro. Her passion for youth and community development drives the work that she does.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1866spineda@onwardwelearn.org Shanty Pineda, our mobile high school advisor, is on military leave. An Onward We Learn alumna, she worked for the popular CAAP program as a mentor and program site manager for seven years before joining the staff full time as an advisor. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business management with a concentration in human resources from Rhode Island College.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member (401) 519-0218scepeda@onwardwelearn.org Steven Cepeda is a passionate high school advisor and Onward alumni at Onward We Learn with a strong commitment to supporting underserved and under-resourced communities. As a first-generation Dominican, Steven holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications, specializing in Public Relations and Mass Media, complemented by a minor in Computer Science and Web Development from Rhode Island College (RIC). He formally served as the Volunteer and Intern Coordinator at The Empowerment Factory (TEF) and an Orientation Leader at RIC forging meaningful connections with both students and families. Steven finds joy in cherishing moments with his family, exploring new travel destinations, and embarking on culinary adventures.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1834schaudhary@onwardwelearn.org Supriya Chaudhary holds a bachelor’s degree in youth development from Rhode Island College, and has spent the last three years working in community education at Gladstone Elementary School in Cranston and Esek Hopkins Middle School and Mary E. Fogarty Elementary School in Providence. In these roles, she assisted in organizing and facilitating educational plans in STEM programming to elementary-age students and advised middle school students in the LGBTQ community while supporting a safe space for self-expression.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1794tcosta@onwardwelearn.org Tim Costa graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. Before joining Onward We Learn, he worked for City Year Providence for two years and was assigned to Roger Williams Middle School in Providence as an Americorps member and then a team leader, which shifted his responsibilities from classroom management to leading a team and serving as the liaison between City Year and the school’s administrators.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-519-0207wrivera-scotti@onwardwelearn.org Wilfredo Rivera-Scotti comes to Onward We Learn with more than 10 years of experience in the education field, having served hundreds of students in the postsecondary space. Wilfredo holds bachelor’s degrees in film and Africana and Puerto Rican/Latino studies from CUNY - Hunter College and earned his Master of Library and Information Studies from CUNY - Queens College and Master of Arts in labor studies from CUNY - School of Labor and Urban Studies.
