High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member[email protected] Andre Freeman was born and raised in Providence, RI. After attending Classical High School, he graduated with a degree in Digital Media Production from New England Institute of Technology in 2022. Before joining Onward We Learn, Andre worked as a Substitute Teacher in the Providence School District.
Mobile High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-753-2737[email protected] Cesar Grande graduated from College of the Holy Cross with a bachelor's degree in Sociology and a concentration in Latin American, Latinx and Caribbean Studies. Cesar Grande's journey at Onward We Learn began as a middle school student, then as an intern for the Honorific program. He now joins Onward We Learn as a Mobile High School Advisor.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1802[email protected] 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 401-400-1898[email protected] 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 401-519-0205[email protected] 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 401-400-1834[email protected] Faith is a recent graduate of Boston University, where she majored in Political Science and minored in Sociology. Prior to attending BU, Faith was a member of the first graduating class at Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy. She is an active community member and volunteers in many capacities which includes cheerleading and basketball coaching.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-519-0204 Guadalupe "Lupe" Chavez graduated with a bachelor's in social work from Rhode Island College in 2022. She became the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. Before joining Onward We Learn, Lupe worked at Tides Family Services where she learned that persistence is key when it comes to engaging with youth. Lupe likes to describe herself as dependable, dedicated, and delightful to work with. She also spends time in her community as a director for a non-profit traditional Mexican folkloric dance group named "Ballet Folklorico Misol-Ha" where she instructs and inspires students to learn about the captivating traditional dances from Mexico.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member (401) 854-5511[email protected] Jarna Uddin is a passionate youth development professional who holds a bachelor's degree from Framingham State University. Prior to joining Onward We Learn, Jarna gained valuable experience working as a Behavioral Health Technician, where she focused on supporting students with Autism. This role ignited her dedication to ensuring that every student feels valued, acknowledged, and included. Jarna is committed to creating nurturing and inclusive environments for young people, driven by her unwavering passion to make a positive impact on their lives.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member (401) 400-1810[email protected] Jennifer Minier Parra holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Rhode Island, with a minor in Leadership Studies. At URI, she worked as a Resident Assistant for the Talent Development program. Post-graduation, she became a Community Specialist for PPSD, where she applied her expertise in community development and support. Jennifer is passionate about empowering communities and fostering positive relationships to create a supportive environment for all individuals.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1867[email protected] Jennifer Navia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Environmental Studies and has aspirations to pursue a Master’s degree in the future. Her diverse experiences have equipped her with the skills necessary to be a successful advisor. Jennifer was previously a student in our program, back when it was known as College Crusade of RI. During her time in the public school system, she developed close relationships with her advisors, which gave her a deep understanding of the various programs available to students and the kind of support advisors provide as they prepare for college
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1902[email protected] 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) 400-1930[email protected] Marisleysis was born and raised in Providence. She attended Hope High School and continued as a first-generation student in Rhode Island College's preparatory enrollment program (PEP) and graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Prior to joining the organization, Marisleysis worked for the undergraduate Admissions Office at Rhode Island College as a student worker, admissions specialist, and intern for admissions marketing and communications.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1806[email protected] Olivia earned an associate in arts degree from Community College of Rhode Island. Then, she continued her education to obtain a bachelor's in science in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Education at the University of Rhode Island. Olivia plans to further her education with a master's in education from Western Governors University this fall. Her last role in education was in an Early Education setting. Olivia is passionate about working with students in a school environment who need extra support to be successful.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-519-0302[email protected] In 2016, Paloma Goico graduated from Paul Cuffee High School, and received a BA in Psychology from Rhode Island College in 2020. Paloma has worked in PASS and ABA while gaining experience in social work and counseling throughout her career journey.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1890[email protected] Priscila Mayol Negron is a dedicated youth development professional who graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor's degree in Youth Development. Before joining Onward We Learn, Priscila worked as a middle school after-school site coordinator. In this role, she developed a passion for making every student feel seen and important, which continues to drive her commitment to fostering supportive and inclusive environments for young people.
High School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1833[email protected] 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.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1805[email protected] 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) 519-0218[email protected] 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.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1794[email protected] 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.
Middle School Advisor Onward We Learn Staff Member 401-400-1831[email protected] Yulissa is a Guatemalan American and a first-generation college graduate from Rhode Island. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rhode Island College. Yulissa is passionate about working in the community and with students and youth. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks, watching shows, and dining out.
