Elaine J. Flowers is from Brooklyn, NY. As a first-generation student, Elaine quickly developed a passion for helping students reach their academic goals and navigate their college journey. Before joining DCPS Persists, Elaine served as the Employer Relations Coordinator in the Center for Career Development at Borough of Manhattan Community College. Elaine is a current Ph.D. student at Howard University, studying Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies. “The best part of college for me was being engaged in different social organizations. In undergrad at SUNY Oswego, I was involved in everything, from cutural organizations to student government. Being involved shaped me into a leader and helped build long-lasting relationships and networks. For that reason, I am a huge advocate for student leadership.”

Elmer was born in San Salvador, El Salvador and raised in Richmond, VA. He is a 1.5 immigrant and proud first generation college graduate, earning his B.S. in Community Health from George Mason University and his M.Ed. in Counselor Education emphasis in Student Affairs from Clemson University. Elmer is a hope dealer, bridge builder and healing agent, serving on the DCPS Persists team. Prior to DCPS he worked with racially and ethnically minoritized students and first-generation students in the Center for Multicultural Affairs at Duke University. The best part of college is “seizing the opportunities your university offers from identity exploration, study abroad, internships, extracurriculars and your alumni network.”

Francis is a native of Washington, D.C. and first-generation college student. Previously he worked at DCCAP where he served high school students with college advising, financial aid, program management and social/leadership development. Francis began his work as early as undergrad where he served as an OSSE coordinator for a pilot program focusing on increasing college retention rates for his undergraduate institution, Delaware State University. He then went on to work for the TRIO program at Catholic University focusing on college advisement and residential life support. “College saved me and created a new pathway towards an outlook on life. The lessons you learn inside and outside the classroom, along with the relationships you gain are so valuable towards your experience and development.”

Griselda was raised in California and is a proud 1st generation CSU Monterey Bay alumna. She previously worked in Stockton, CA as the Manager of College Access for a scholarship program that provides financial and support resources to students in high school. Griselda is passionate about providing opportunities and resources to access and complete higher education within underrepresented communities. Being the first in her family to receive a college degree, the best part about college was knowing there was a support system dedicated to her success. Having the opportunity now to give that same support to current college students is what fuels her purpose to serve in DCPS Persists program!

Prior to coming to DCPS, Jan worked with first generation and undocumented students through the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education at George Mason University. Originally from the Philippines, Jan is fluent in Visayan, Tagalog and English. When not advocating for student equity and immigration reform, you can find pre-quarantine Jan at your local milk tea cafe or at the next anime convention. “The best part of college was getting to explore my identity as an immigrant and an Asian American, either through taking ethnic studies classes or dancing (badly) at Filipino culture nights.”

Jessica previously served as an Analyst on the DCPS Strategic School Operations Team where she built the Incident Reporting Tool. Prior to joining DCPS, Jessica worked for a federal consulting firm, supporting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. She is a proud alumna of Education Pioneers and The College Advising Corps. “The best part of college for me was learning how to go outside my comfort zone – from making new friends, to taking challenging classes, to studying abroad, to protesting unjust campus policies – all of these experiences helped me to become more confident in myself and my abilities!”

Maché was born and raised in Southeast Washington, DC and is a proud first generation college student. She has worked in various universities, starting with the TRiO Programs and then residence life. One of her goals is to help bridge the achievement gap for underrepresented students. “As a first-generation student living in another city besides DC, college was the time to ask questions, get out of my comfort zone, build additional support systems, and take advantage of opportunities that were afforded to me. I learned so much about myself, how much my voice matters, and how to empower others. Once doors opened for me, I made it a mission to hold the door open for others.”

Before joining the DCPS Persists team, Monica lived and worked in New York where she was a College Advisor with NYU College Advising Corps. As a College Advisor, she managed a caseload of 11th and 12th grade students, working with them to develop and reach their post-secondary goals. Originally from DC, Monica is a proud DCPS alumna, and is excited to be back home working with DCPS alumni. “The best part of college for me was exploring several identities I hold including being a Salvadoran-American, first-generation college student from a low-income background. Another part of college I enjoyed was majoring in sociology because it enabled me to put words to my lived experiences and understand many of those experiences as not just individual issues, but community issues.”

Nichole is a recent D.C. transplant from Brooklyn, New York. On the Persists team, she serves as the College-Facing Specialist. Before joining Persists, Nichole served as the Alumni Engagement Manager for the Student Leadership Network. She has dedicated her career to supporting the needs and success of youth while striving to close postsecondary and career attainment gaps. When she’s not working, Nichole loves to travel solo and immerse herself in different cultures.

Shawn came to DC to do a year of service with Americorps, where she served as a volunteer coordinator for two years at Reading Partners. She then transitioned to For Love of Children where she led programming for middle and high school students, in addition to building out post-secondary and scholarship support for the program’s alums who were in college. “The best part of college for me was being able to get to know so many people. From being a tour guide to participating on the Campus Activities Board, I was able to meet a lot of different people that I still have connections with now!”