Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab is a scholar-activist known for her pathbreaking research, teaching, and advocacy in higher education. As a sociologist, she focuses on reducing poverty by highlighting students’ basic needs, sparking the globally recognized #RealCollege movement. She founded Believe in Students to provide emergency aid and empower faculty to better support students. In 2019, she launched a product for low-income individuals to access emergency support, now advanced by Beam. Sara’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Grawemeyer Prize for her book, Paying the Price, which she used to aid students. She has appeared on The Daily Show and served nearly 20 years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Temple University before retiring from academia. As CEO of EduOptimists, she mentors and collaborates globally, teaches at the Community College of Philadelphia, and is developing her next book, Real College.

Dr. Dhanfu E. Elston (pronounced: dah-NEE-foo) has a 28-year career in postsecondary education, currently serving as Senior Vice President for Strategy and Chief of Staff at Complete College America (CCA). He leads high-impact strategies across a 53-member Alliance of states and institutions, focusing on equity and college completion efforts. Dr. Elston’s initiatives include CCA’s guided pathways, the Purpose First strategy, and 15 To Finish campaign. He has worked with Governors’ Offices, state education systems, and national partners to drive success, particularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Prior to CCA, he held leadership roles at Georgia State University, recognized for its success in student retention. Dr. Elston earned his Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies from Georgia State University and holds degrees in Educational Leadership and Biology from Clark Atlanta University.

Dr. Fraire brings nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, specializing in advancing equity and breaking educational barriers. As President of Lone Star College-University Park, she led the creation of a Student Care Center to support students’ basic needs. Her leadership at UTEP and Austin Community College (ACC) focused on student success and strategic planning. Raised in public housing, Dr. Fraire’s lived experiences drive her commitment to accessible education. She has led initiatives to improve student outcomes, co-authored strategic plans, and helped institutions earn the Seal of Excelencia for supporting Hispanic students. Dr. Fraire holds degrees in social work from UT-Austin and a doctorate in educational administration. She is a graduate of the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence.

Dr. Paul J. LeBlanc is the Board Chair of Human Systems, an AI and education company he co-founded. Until June 2024, he was President of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), where he grew the university from 2,800 to over 250,000 students, making it the largest nonprofit provider of online higher education. Known for his innovation, he has received numerous awards, including Fast Company’s “World’s Fifty Most Innovative Companies” and the IAA Institute Hesburgh Award. He served as a Senior Policy Advisor at the US Department of Education and on various national advisory boards. Dr. LeBlanc is the author of Students First and Broken, and has spoken internationally on education reform. A passionate traveler and avid reader, he resides in New Hampshire with his family and is excited to become a first-time grandfather soon.

Dr. Jermaine F. Williams is the President of Montgomery College (MC), serving over 40,000 students in Montgomery County, Maryland. He is known for his inclusive leadership and commitment to student success, engaging with faculty, staff, and community leaders to meet evolving workforce needs. Dr. Williams has led the development of bold strategic plans, emphasizing access, equity, and student-centered policies. He focuses on mitigating institutional and societal inequities, viewing education as a public good. His career in higher education is marked by innovations that help students discover their passions and unlock their potential. Under his leadership, MC has developed new strategic goals to improve outcomes for students and the community. Dr. Williams holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and has dedicated his career to transforming lives through education.

Dr. Pilar Huffman is an expert in organizational change and engagement, leading professional development at Compton College. With a diverse background in human resources, non-profit consulting, and corporate training, she is dedicated to fostering the growth of campus stakeholders through strategic development. Holding a doctorate in education from California Baptist University, Dr. Huffman emphasizes holistic self-care and practical learning to help individuals reach their potential. Her expertise spans organizational psychology, leadership development, and mentoring. Actively involved in promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, she plays a crucial role in advancing student success across California Community Colleges.

Dr. Elynar Moreno is an educator, motivational speaker, and life design coach dedicated to empowering first-generation professionals. She developed The MorenoMethod, a resilience-based model that fosters personal growth and community building. In 2020, she founded Invest in U, a nonprofit that supports students’ holistic development and operates a FAST Fund site at Los Angeles Southwest College, providing emergency aid. With over 17 years of higher education leadership experience, specializing in strengths-based student success strategies and culturally responsive learning practices, she also teaches at Los Angeles Southwest College and Colorado State University. A proud first-generation graduate, Dr. Moreno holds degrees from UCLA and California Lutheran University.

Frederick Shegog’s journey is marked by resilience and transformation. In his twenties, he faced significant challenges with substance use and mental health but turned his life around, emerging stronger and more determined. In 2018, he founded The Message LLC, a motivational-speaking company aimed at “selling hope for a living.” Through keynotes like “What is your legacy?” he inspires audiences across the nation, promoting resilience, leadership, and wellness. Frederick also engages in policy consulting, collaborating with educators and leaders. His educational achievements include an MPA, a B.A. in Communication Studies (summa cum laude), and various accolades, including being named a Philadelphia Region’s Black Men Icon.
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Gee is a graduate student at Northeastern Illinois University pursuing a Master of Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University and was part of the inaugural cohort of the Changemakers Fellowship program, the student-facing component of the Great Lakes Fast Fund Consortium at Believe in Students. They work as a peer coach with TRIO Student Success Services and are a Diversifying Faculty in Illinois (DFI) Fellow. Gee is passionate about advancing gender, racial, and economic equity, helping students achieve graduation, and improving access to mental health services. In their free time, they enjoy reading, cycling, long naps on the couch, and playing with their cat-mates, Charlie and Lennox.

Alana is a graduate student focusing on communication science and disorders. A recent graduate of Governors State University, she participated in the Changemakers Fellowship at Believe in Students, where her major project was developing and advocating for a creative solution to food insecurity by partnering with the campus pantry to develop grab-and-go bags for students who lacked food access over the weekends. She also worked with other fellows and faculty members to lead a diaper drive for the campus family resource center. Alana will be featured in an upcoming documentary focused on the resilience of college students. In her free time, she loves to crotchet.