Meet the Say Yes Staff
Corcoran Quadrant Site Staff
McKinley-Brighton Magnet School, 141 W. Newell St., Syracuse, NY 13205
315.435.4605
Roshana has more than 10 years of experience in child welfare and maternal and child health services. She has planned, developed and implemented health education and outreach programs for Syracuse Healthy Start and Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center in Chicago Heights, IL. Roshana was an officer in the United States Army Reserve for over 5 years and was honorably discharged in 2006. She holds a bachelor degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota at Morris and is currently a M.B.A. candidate at New York Institute of Technology.
Kevin spent 7 years as the Program Director of Youth Services for the Syracuse Northeast Community Center. Prior to that, he was the Teen Program Coordinator for the Hawley Youth Organization at the Syracuse Northeast Community Center as well as a Youth Division Aide for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. He has a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Columbia College and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Criminal Justice.
Van Duyn School, 401 Loomis Ave., Syracuse, NY 13207
315-435-4660
315-679-0399
A former management analyst for NASA in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and more recently Corporate Business Development Analyst for Syracuse Research Corporation, Jenna has volunteered as a youth academic counselor for The Salvation Army, provided support to inmates in Tompkins County Jail and was part of the Mayor’s Intervention Task Force to reduce gang violence in Syracuse. She holds a B.A. in Industrial & Labor Relations from Cornell University, a Masters degree in Public Administration from Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, and an M.B.A. from The Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University.
Lauren Williams Program Coordinator315-552-7278
Lauren was formerly a Case Manager for the Women’s Christian Alliance in Philadelphia, PA. She also worked as an intern in the Office of Academic Enrichment at Delaware State University in Dover, DE, was a Youth Development Coordinator for the Simon Circle Boys and Girls Club, and spent several summers as a Youth Worker Supervisor for CNYWORKS. She holds a B.S. in Social Work from Delaware State University, Dover, DE.
Roberts School, 715 Glenwood Ave., Syracuse, NY 13207
315-435-4635
315-552-4730
Nicole brings over 12 years of social service experience to the position as Site Director, most recently as a Senior Recruitment Consultant for UK Pro, where she recruited and prepared social workers for relocating and working in the UK from her office in Fayetteville, NY. As a social worker in the UK, she worked mostly with children and families providing clinical services in various settings. She currently volunteers for the Onondaga Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), where she assists in the resolution of abuse or neglect case assigned to her by the family court judge. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Furman University in Greenville, SC and a MSW with a concentration in Administrative Leadership and Advocacy.
Jessica R. Earley, Program Coordinator
A former programs director for the American Indian Law Alliance in New York City and Westcott Community Center in Syracuse, a tutor, and a non-profit events coordinator, Jessica brings a wide range of skills and passion to the position of Program Coordinator. Jessica spent several years working with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York City where she coordinated activities at UN headquarters and surrounding venues for the American Indian Law Alliance. In 2005 she wrote and delivered the intervention balancing international Indigenous advocacy priorities with the analysis of UN goals to eliminate racism, xenophobia, discrimination and intolerance. She holds a B.A. degree in Politics from New York University.
Elmwood School, 1728 South Ave., Syracuse, NY 13207
315-435-4545
315-481-1301
Smith was formerly a coordinator of public health initiatives for the Onondaga County Health Department as well as the YouthBuild Program where she prepared young adults to emerge into the Central New York workforce. She was also a youth advocate for the Center for Community Alternatives, and a youth center coordinator for the Syracuse Housing Authority. Smith served as the first Executive Director of the local civic organization 40 Below from 2006-2008. Rhoda has an A.A. of Applied Science in Electronic Media from Onondaga Community College, a B.A. in Sociology from Syracuse University and a M.A. in Social Work from University at Albany, State University of New York.
Vincent Cobb, Program Coordinator
vecobbii@syr.edu
315-807-8635
As a graduate of Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Vincent was the recipient of many student leadership awards including an Academic Research and Internship in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Scholar, Gateway Scholar and Student Leadership Excellence Award. He was also a featured constituent for the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities for 3 years, a statewide association representing the public policy interests of the chief executives (chancellors and presidents) of more than 100 independent colleges and universities in New York State. Prior to coming to Say Yes, he was a Program Associate at OCC where he managed a pool of 2000 students interested in the education supports through OCC. He also worked as a residential tutor counselor at Lemoyne College in the Upward Bound Program, was a development consultant for the Southside Vision Center Project and a youth organizer for the Hip Hop Summit Action Network.
Dr. King Magnet, 416 E. Raynor Ave., Syracsue, NY 13202
315-435-4580
315-350-4671
As a teacher, assistant principal, assistant professor and most recently the Director of Elementary Curriculum, Content, and Accountability for the Trenton Public School District, Nira brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position of Site Director. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from State University of New York Empire College, An M.S. in Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction, from State University of New York College at Cortland and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Teaching, from Syracuse University School of Education.
Meachem School, 171 Spaulding Ave., Syracuse, NY 13205
315-435-4610
Jennifer Holland, Site Director
Jaholl02@syr.edu
315-552-8300
Formerly a teacher in The New School in Syracuse, Jennifer most recently managed communications with teachers and families participating in the Supplemental Tutoring Program for Murray Learning in Syracuse. She holds a BA degree in Psychology from City University of Staten Island and a M.S.T. degree from Le Moyne College.
Jennifer Dombroske, Program Coordinator
jckombro@syr.edu
315-807-8634
As a former director of Development and Coordinator of Outreach for the Syracuse Children’s Theatre, Jenny coordinated all aspects of an educational theatre outreach program in the SCSD, bringing free theatre arts classes and performance opportunities to thousands of SCSD children and Lyncourt students in grades K-12. She also served as the Cultural Organizations and School Liaison for Partners for Arts Education and is a former private teaching artist for the SCSD, where she taught theatre arts and acting classes. She has written several articles about children’s theater for websites and is currently on the Board of Directors for the New York State Theatre Educator Association. She graduated from Nazareth College of Rochester with a BA in Theatre Arts.