Who we are
Educators with passion. Administrators with expertise.
Rainier Scholars is a community committed to racial equity and passionate about the transformative power of education and the immeasurable value of opportunity.
We walk beside our scholars throughout their journey to college graduation and beyond.
Leadership
Rafael del Castillo
Executive Director
B.S.E. Aerospace Engineer, University of Florida
M.S. Science Education, Florida International University
Kaila Davis Nsimbi
Associate Executive Director
B.A. History, Seattle University
Jennifer Ward
Chief Operating Officer, Rainier Scholars-Tacoma
B.S. Human Centered Design & Engineering, University of Washington
M.Ed. Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, University of Washington
Sumiko Huff
Director of Strategic Growth & Program Design
B.A. Art, Willamette University
Masters in Teaching, Seattle University
Principal Certification, City University
Ed.D. Candidate Education, University of Washington
Hannah Bahn
Academic Director
B.A. Anthropology and Education, Haverford College
M.A. Public Service, University of Arkansas – Clinton School of Public Service
Candidate for Ed. D. in Educational Leadership, University of Pennsylvania
Janelle Blakely
Director of Development
B.A. Communications, Humboldt State University, M.A. Nonprofit Leadership, Seattle University, Certificate in Fundraising Leadership, Seattle University
Sonya Claxton
Director of Academic Counseling
B.S. Elementary Education, Minor in Coaching, Montana State University-Billings
Montessori Certification, Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest
Continuing Education Credits, City University
Endorsement: Health and Fitness, Seattle Pacific University
Roy Fisher
Child and Family Therapist
B.A. Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy, Pacific Lutheran University
Bethany Furubayashi
Director of Corporate Engagement
B.A. Mathematics and Computer Science, Indiana University
Sara Jackson
Director of Career Development
B.A. International Studies, Macalester College
M.P.P Educational Policy and Urban Affairs, UCLA J.D., UCLA School of Law
Liz Sadler
Director of Learning Support
B.A. Mathematics, Hamilton College
B.A. Classical Languages, Hamilton College
Masters in Teaching, Seattle University
Carina Schubert
Director of Individual Giving
B.A. Youth Ministry, Azusa Pacific University
Ashley Sirls
Director of Leadership Development
B.A. Secondary Education (English & African American Studies), Arizona State University
M.Ed. Literacy, University of Washington
Stephanie Wright
Director of Programs-Tacoma
B.A. History, Spelman College
Master of Arts in Teaching, Tufts University
M.A. History, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ph.D. History, Rutgers University
Staff
Kathia Vivar Acevedo
Academic Counselor
Alum | Cohort 9
B.A. Marketing & Finance, University of Washington, Bothell
Nicole Anthony
Director of Recruitment & Community Engagement
20+ years experience in Youth Development, program management, leadership development and training
Ena Artugue
Recruitment & Community Engagement Coordinator – Tacoma
B.A. English, University of Washington – Seattle
Danny Campa
Director of Wellness
B.A. in Psychology, University of California, Riverside
Ed. S. in School Psychology, University of Washington
Ph. D. in School Psychology, University of Washington
Psychologist License, State of Washington DOH
Aisha Cathcart
Academic Counselor
B.A. Speech and Hearing Sciences, Washington State University
Kayleigh Concepcion
Associate Academic Director
B.A. Psychology, University of Hawai’i at Manoa
M.S. Education, Johns Hopkins University
Martin Cuali-Ramirez
Academic Counselor
B.A. Education, Communities and Organizations, University of Washington
Sara Daniel
Academic Counselor & Program Assistant
B.A. Educational Studies, Colgate University
Hannah Daniels
Academic Counselor
B.A. Global Studies, North Park University
Milena Flores
Academic Counselor
B.A. Political Science, Stanford University
Mackenzie Hallett
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
B.F.A Graphic Design & B.F.A Studio Art: Illustration, University of Central Missouri
Certificate in UX & Visual Interface Design, UW Professional & Continuing Education
Saedah Ham
Development Associate
Alum | Cohort 4
B.S. Public Relations, Syracuse University
Asha Hanstad
Academic Counselor
B.A. Sociology, Occidental College
Renea Harris
Leadership and Career Development Program Assistant
Alum | Cohort 10
B.A. Africana Studies and Religion, Mount Holyoke College
Harege Kebede
Academic Enrichment Phase Program Assistant
Alum | Cohort 10
B.A. in Diplomacy & World Affairs
Minors in Critical Theory & Social Justice, Economics, and Black Studies
Occidental College
Quianna Koonce
Mental Health Clinician/ Counselor
Alum | Cohort 2
B.A. Sociology & Anthropology, Agnes Scott College
Masters in Social Work, North Carolina Central University
Delta Lee
Director of College Counseling
B.A. English, University of Vermont
Drego Little
Learning Support Specialist & Literature/Writing Teacher
B.A. Law, Society and Justice, University of Washington
M.Ed. Literacy, University of Washington
Olivia Littles
Grants Manager
B.A., Wheaton College
M.A. Socio-Cultural Anthropology, University of Washington
Ph.D Socio-Cultural Anthropology, University of Washington
May-Lannie Lozano
Associate Director of Academic Counseling
Alum | Cohort 4
B.A. Sociology, Whitman College
Crysta Maniscalco
Corporate Engagement Manager
B.A. Psychology & Sociology, Indiana University
Masters in Social Work, Indiana University
Madisynn McCombs Encinas
Executive Assistant
B.A. Global Development Studies, Seattle Pacific University
Rosida Mohamathno
Career Development Manager, Middle School and High School
B.A. Communications, University of Washington
Rediet Mulugeta
Office Manager & Program Assistant
B.A. Global Development Studies, Seattle Pacific University
Myly Nguyen
Academic Counselor
B.A. Psychology, Whitworth University
Kathryn Pienta
Clinical Social Worker & Therapist
B.A. Psychology, Wheaton College
Masters in Social Work, Simmons College
Jaliyah Putney
Program Assistant, Rainier Scholars-Tacoma
Alum | Cohort 10
B.A Marketing, Western Washington University
Steph Salazar
Career Development Manager, College
B.A., Women’s and Gender Studies, University of Texas at Austin
M.Ed., Leadership in Higher Education, University of Washington
Ashante Samuels
Recruitment & Community Engagement Coordinator
Alum | Cohort 10
B.A. Psychology, University of Washington Tacoma
Jessica Schreiber
Assistant Director of Development
B.A. Sociology, Whitman College
Paulo Sotero de Menezes
Academic Counselor
B.S. Biology, University of Washington
Yael Tellez-Rodriguez
Family Engagement Manager
Alum | Cohort 6
B.A. Psychology and Humanities, Seattle University
Kelabe Tewolde
Leadership Development Coordinator
Alum | Cohort 5
B.A. Political Science, Colgate University
Rachel Tolano
Director of Recruitment & Community Engagement
B.A. English, Stanford University
M.A. History of Art & Architecture, Boston University
Dean Witt
Database and Systems Administrator
B.A International Development Studies, Calvin University M.Th. Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary
Ella Xiao
Academic Counselor
B.A. Education and Sociology, Vassar College
Faculty
Sean Baughn
History/Research
B.A. History and Philosophy, University of Washington
M.I.T. Education, Western Washington University
Cleressa Brown
History
B.A. History, Hampton University
M.A. Teaching K-8 Endorsement, Antioch University
Heather Clark
Invictus
B.A. Evergreen College
Ph.D. Social Cultural Anthropology, University of Washington
Roy Fisher
Conclave
B.A. Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy, Pacific Lutheran University
Sam Fout
Mathematics
B.S. Discrete Math, University of Washington
M.Ed Secondary Education, Vanderbilt University
Tyler Hartanov
History
B.S. History, Montana State University
M.Ed Secondary Education, Vanderbilt University
Jon Howland
Mathematics
B.A. Politics, Government and International Relations, University of Puget Sound
M.S. Education, City College of New York
Alexandra Ibarra
History
B.A. History, Humboldt State University
M.Ed. Social and Cultural Foundations of Education, University of Washington
M.A. Secondary Education, Loyola Marymount University
Drego Little
Literature/Writing
B.A. Law, Society and Justice, University of Washington
M.Ed. Literacy, University of Washington
Jason Medeiros
Science
B.S. Biology, Yale University M.S. Soil Microbiology, University of California, Berkeley M.S. Landscape Architecture, University of Washington
Corey Paulson
History
B.A. History, University of Washington
Master’s course work finished in Religious Studies, University of Colorado at Boulder, CO
Kathryn Pienta
Conclave
B.A. Psychology, Wheaton College
Masters in Social Work, Simmons College
Alyssa Reyes
Science
B.S. Biology, University of Washington
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Liz Sadler
Mathematics
B.A. Mathematics, Hamilton College
B.A. Classical Languages, Hamilton College
Ashley Sirls
Literature/Writing
B.A. Secondary Education (English & African American Studies), Arizona State University
M.Ed. Literacy, University of Washington