Who We Are
In an ideal world, every young person would have the opportunity to achieve a complete education and build a fruitful life. The truth is that many of the young people in our community will never get the chance to go to college and achieve their dreams. That is, unless people who can make a difference step in and change that reality.
Poverty and homelessness profoundly limit the lives of thousands of young people in King County. Seattle Education Access assists marginalized youth and young adults in gaining entry into colleges and completing degrees. We provide them with the resources they need to transition successfully to college, so that they can finish their educations, leave poverty behind, and contribute to society.
If you have the will and the determination to go to college but don’t know how to get there, click here. If someone you know has been living on the edge and lacks the resources needed to get back into school click here to make a referral. Our doors are open to any low-income person under the age of 30 no matter their legal issues, parenting status, sexual orientation or immigration status. We offer a FREE, welcoming, non-judgmental approach to helping young people living in poverty get the education they need to thrive.
Our Board of Directors
Cristina Gonzalez — Board President, currently works as a Budget Analyst with King County’s Office of Management and Budget and teaches a graduate economics course at Seattle University’s Institute of Public Service. She has previously worked as an economic analyst for a local nonprofit and served as the Regional Labor Economist for Seattle-King County with Washington State’s Employment Security Department. Cris earned her master’s degree in economics from Washington State University, with a focus in health and labor economics. Her volunteer experience includes work with Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Boy Scouts of America, and two student organizations at Texas A&M University: University Awareness of Cultural Togetherness and the Hispanic Business Student Association. She is so proud to work with SEA!
Heather Cope — Board Vice-President, is a policy analyst at the League of Education Voters, a statewide advocacy nonprofit dedicated engaging citizens in the effort to provide a quality education for all children in Washington — from preschool through postsecondary. She also volunteers as a mentor through the state Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration. Previously, Heather worked at an education reform think tank in Washington D.C. and taught middle school social studies in the Bronx, NY. She has a master's in teaching from Pace University in New York, and a bachelor's in communications and political science from the University of Washington.
Greg Ernst — Board Treasurer is the Director of Finance for Free & Clear, Inc. He began his career as a financial analyst with the Investment Banking firm Morgan Stanley Inc. For the past 10 years Greg has served as a financial manager for a variety of biotechnology and other health care related companies both public and private. Greg holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington.
Tania Boster — Board Secretary, currently works as a consultant for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the Global Development Program. She earned her PhD in history, and studies individuals and groups who, as social critics and through direct action, have tried to create a better, more equitable world. She is equally concerned with the practical application of these interests in the community and in the classroom.
Colleen Clancy is an education advocate with a particular interest in community colleges. She has a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley and practiced law for 20 years. Most recently, she transitioned from community college administration to working from outside the college system to advocate for changes that increase students' access to, and success in, college. She has a special interest in leadership development and is the co-founder of Leadership San Juan Islands.
Courtney Acitelli is the Assistant Director for Student Programs at the University of Washington Alumni Association, helping to build affinity for UW so future alumni will eventually give back as volunteers, mentors and donors. She holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Washington and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. Courtney has more than 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, having worked in child advocacy and AIDS service organizations prior to landing at UW. In her spare time, she enjoys writing for Viewpoints magazine and various blogs, playing Ultimate, working NY Times crossword puzzles, and watching her beloved Georgia Bulldogs during college football season.
Jennifer Wooten is a Teen Librarian at the Newport Way and Mercer Island branches of the King County Library System. She has a Master’s Degree in Information Studies from Florida State University and a B.A. in History from the University of Washington. Jennifer is passionate about literacy and lifelong learning. Jennifer volunteered as the SEA Book Access Coordinator for over six years before joining the Board and Scholarship Committee.
Irena Netik supervises energy supply operations analytics at Puget Sound Energy (PSE), where she is involved with hydro operations and integration of renewable energy into the resource portfolio. She has been heavily engaged with the PSE corporate United Way campaign, serving once as a United Way Loaned Executive and as the Chairperson of the campaign for straight two years prior to her current position of campaign advisor. Irena is passionate about education and volunteers as a mentor at the Seattle Girls School. She earned her Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from the University of British Columbia, Canada. Irena enjoys being outdoors and can be found bicycle racing and skiing. She currently chairs the Community Relations and Fundraising Committee.
Kathleen Porch is the Development Manager for Real Change Homeless Empowerment project, the leading street newspaper in the United States. Prior to that she worked in non-profit fundraising and administration for over 6 years in Seattle. Kathleen is a product of a very low-income family and is the first person in her mother’s family to attend and graduate from high school and college. This experience connects her strongly to the mission of SEA, having struggled to finish her own education. In addition to SEA she serves on the fundraising committee for PEPS, the Program for Early Parent Support. She holds certificates from the University of Washington in both Non-profit Management and Fundraising Management.
Leesa Manion Leesa Manion is the Chief of Staff for the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, where some of her responsibilities include overseeing a new truancy intervention program designed to divert truant youth from the court system and into community-based interventions intended to get kids back in school. Leesa earned her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law. She enjoys entertaining, reading, and spending time with her two young children.
Matthew Norman is Business Relationship Manager with Wells Fargo's Bank, managing a portfolio of mid sized businesses with complex deposit and credit needs. In his nine years with Wells Fargo, Matthew has worked in a variety of capacities both in Alaska and Orange County, California. He has a B.A. in Political Science from Chapman University. Outside of work, he volunteers weekly at Lambert House; a GLBT youth center located on Capitol Hill.
Sean McGilloway has served on the board of directors at Seattle Education Access for over 3 years. Sean is a firm believer in providing access to higher education for Seattle young adults. Sean also has 12 years experience consulting small- and mid-size organizations through growth stages. Sean works for ISOutsource, a consulting firm based in Seattle with offices in Tacoma and Portland supporting businesses across the Western United States. Sean, and his team, facilitates the planning and implementation of forward-looking technology solutions to meet business needs. Sean was educated at the University of Washington and received his undergraduate degree in Business.
Sung Rhee is the CEO of Reach Network, Inc — a leading publisher of career and education related websites. The company specializes in reaching audiences via online to help people make career and education decisions. Prior to starting Reach Network, he worked at Microsoft for 9 years, most recently as a General Manager of online communications products — Outlook Express and MSN Mobile. He received his Bachelors degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Harvard University. He is married with 2 beautiful kids, enjoys snowboarding, and coaches a youth flag football team.
Dr. Thomas Staiger is the Medical Director of the University of Washington Medical Center and is a general internist at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He is active in the Society of General Internal Medicine and chairs the society’s Clinical Practice Committee. His academic interests include the evaluation of low back pain, physician-patient communication, and educating physicians regarding leadership and quality improvement. He is married, has 3 children, and enjoys sailing, skiing, hiking, and music.
Advisory Board
Kirk Adams is President of the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind, a $37,500,000 a year social enterprise employing 190 people who are blind and Deaf-Blind. He holds a Bachelors degree in Economics from Whitman College and a Master's degree in Not-For-Profit Leadership from Seattle University. His affiliations include CityClub, the Executive Alliance, Greater Spokane Inc., the Seattle and Rainier Chambers of Commerce and downtown Seattle Rotary. Kirk says, "Our clearly focused mission, commitment to best practices, and above all the incalculable impact on young people's lives make Seattle Education Access a truly exciting organization to be involved with."
Staff & Key Volunteers
Anthon Smith — Executive Director, has over thirteen years of non-profit experience, including seven years of international non-profit work. He graduated with bachelor's degrees in both Sociology and Comparative Religions from the University of Malta, and attended Seattle University for graduate studies in Non-Profit Leadership. In addition to his work with SEA, Anthon is active in the community as an artist, activist, and band manager.
Polly Trout, Ph.D. — Director of Advocacy & Outreach, founded SEA in 2002. Polly has a B.A. from The Evergreen State College, an M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Boston University. She lectured in Religious Studies for three years at San Diego State University, and is the author of Eastern Seeds, Western Soil: Three Gurus in America. In addition to her work with SEA, Polly is an educator, activist, writer, and mother.
Melissa Collett — Development Director, graduated from the University of La Verne before studying Fundraising Management at the University of Washington. She has over has eleven years of experience in nonprofit development. Her focus has been in organizations serving teen and family homelessness. Melissa is also active in the community with volunteer roles at KEXP 90.3FM, Fremont Abbey Arts Center, and Flash Volunteer.
Brittney Ferara — Education Advocate. Prior to attending school Brittney lived on the streets in Seattle for most of her adolescent life. She accessed many of the services provided for homeless youth including the Zine Project and the Barista Training and Education Program. Brittney is currently a student at Seattle Central Community College working on her Bachelors in Applied Behavioral Science. After she graduates she plans to move to a different state or country, to specifically work with At-Risk, LGBTQ, and Youth of Color. In addition to her work at SEA, she is an activist and volunteers with USM’s STOP Outreach and Teen Feed.
Brooke Shoostine — Book Access Coordinator, is currently working towards her Masters in Library and Information Science via San Jose State University's distance learning program. She is also a page at the Newport Way and Mercer Island library branches of the King County Library System. Additionally, Brooke has an M.A. in Counseling and Expressive Therapies and has spent time working with at-risk youth at an alternative high school outside of Boston, MA. She aspires to combine her love for literacy and experience advocating for teens by becoming a teen librarian.
Philip Miner — Web Administrator, is a visual artist and designer. He received his B.A. from Whitman College and an M.F.A. from Bard College. He has taught visual art at Whitman College and Reed College. He has designed the current site and manages our web technologies for us.
Brenda Keomany is our bookkeeper.
Andy Durr is our Newsletter & Creative Designer.
Our Scholarship Review Committee
Fred Kingston
Ginger Carter
Jason Romine
Jennifer Wooten is a Teen Librarian at the Newport Way and Mercer Island branches of the King County Library System. She has a Master’s Degree in Information Studies from Florida State University and a B.A. in History from the University of Washington. Jennifer is passionate about literacy and lifelong learning. Jennifer volunteered as the SEA Book Access Coordinator for over six years before joining the Board and Scholarship Committee.
Kathleen Lynch is a Professor Emeritus at Shoreline Community College where she taught communication and multicultural issues for fifteen years. She received her M.A. in ethnography of communication at the University of Washington and completed her Ph.D. coursework. She was a core member of the curriculum transformation project at her institution; helped developed the multicultural education graduation criteria; attended the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity seven times, presented twice; attended intensive immigration institutes; was part of a mixed-race, mixed-gender diversity training team; led an institution wide, year-long series of diversity dialogues; works often and closely with Aaron Dixon (former captain of the Seattle chapter of the Black Panthers) on social justice curriculum; completed workshops on working with Deaf people; developed anti-heterosexist and anti-homophobic curriculum; worked closely with Native faculty and the First Nations club; and was advisor to several diverse student clubs, most memorably the S.C.C Hip Hop Elements Club. She is fluent in American Sign Language, toys with a hammered dulcimer and is writing a book on her adventure travels around the world.
Katy Terry currently works as a financial analyst with King County Parks. Katy has over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors, and over the years has tutored college-bound high school students in Harlem and worked for a nonprofit supporting young adults graduating from the Romanian orphanage system. Katy holds master's degrees in International Studies and Public Administration from the University of Washington and a bachelor's degree in Russian Language and Literature from Columbia University. She is thrilled to help students access scholarships, having been helped by scholarships so much herself.
Moira Fulton is on the faculty at Highline Community College, where she teaches reading and study skill courses for pre-college and college students. She holds a BA in English from the University of Iowa, an M.Ed from the University of Vermont, and has since completed postgraduate work through various institutions including Harvard University, Landmark College, and the Institute of Humane Education. She particularly enjoys working with students with diverse backgrounds and with students who are the first in their families to attend college.
Sasha Lotas is a graduate student in the Learning Sciences program at the University of Washington's College of Education. Sasha also works at North Seattle Community College as a writing instructor and is an active tutor with SEA students. Before embarking on her graduate work, she spent ten years in Washington DC developing and managing literacy programs, as well as postsecondary preparation programs for adults and teenagers without high school degrees.
College Access Advocacy Committee
To be announced.
