Staff
Sam Aleinikoff
Founder & Executive Director
Sam began his career in education teaching math at Towers High School in 2011. His students mastered academic content, but too often they graduated from high school without postsecondary plans. In partnership school faculty, Sam founded College AIM in 2013 to help his students forge paths to and through college.
College AIM has now grown to support more than 5,000 incredible students each year. As the Executive Director of the organization, Sam works with community partners to expand College AIM's reach and direct the vision of the organization. Simultaneously, Sam leads College AIM's development, communications and advocacy work.
Sam holds a Bachelor's Degree from Cornell University. He was a 2019 Civic Innovation Resident and 2018 Civic Innovation Fellow at the Center for Civic Innovation, was named to the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Atlanta's 30 under 30 in 2018, was a member of the Class of 2016 with New Leaders Council in Atlanta and was named Towers High School Teacher of the Year in 2015.
Jamesia Craig
Associate Director
Jamesia leads College AIM's Success Program, which supports students during their college years. She designs and implements programming to support College AIM's students through college graduation. Currently, she provides direct, intensive support to nearly 200 of College AIM's Collegians, who attend technical, two-year and four-year institutions across the state of Georgia and across the country.
Prior to joining the College AIM team, Jamesia worked as a Leadership Development Trainer with The Posse Foundation to help students develop the skills to succeed in college and beyond. Jamesia has also worked with new student and transition programs at Bethune-Cookman University, Florida International University and Kennesaw State University, where she helped increase retention and developed campus-wide programming for students to find their place in college.
Jamesia graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelors in Communication, and from Florida International University with a Masters in Higher Education Administration.
Dr. Corey Sheffield
Director, Access Program & Partnerships
Dr. Sheffield leads College AIM's Access Program, which supports students on their paths to college.
Prior to joining College AIM, Dr. Sheffield served the College Success Project Manager for Atlanta Public Schools, Director of College Advisement at KIPP Through College (Atlanta) and College Access Program Manager at The Scholarship Academy. He also serves as Associate Director of the 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit leadership organization that helps mold and produce leaders at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and sits on the Board for a local charter school in Atlanta.
Dr. Sheffield received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Voorhees College and shortly thereafter entered the field of education. He started in the classroom as a science teacher, and after several years moved into college counseling. Dr. Sheffield also holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Clark Atlanta University, a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Argosy University, and certificates from Cornell University and Columbia University.
Dewona Bridges
Access Coach, Stone Mountain High School
Dewona has been in College Access for over 10 years. She is an independent, enthusiastic, and initiative-taking professional skilled in educating students and parents about the college readiness and college admissions process. She is committed and dedicated to college access, attendance, and graduation. Dewona provides support and resources to students and their families throughout the transition from high school to higher education. She excels in coaching students and their families to consider realistic and financially feasible college goals through individual and group meetings to discuss college and career options.
Prior to her role at College AIM she was Executive Director and College and Career Coordinator for Scholar Works Enterprises of GA, College Counselor KIPP Atlanta, Team Lead - College Bound FAFSA Initiative - The Scholarship Academy and is a current member of College Prep Roundtable.
Dewona received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Colorado State University. After college, Dewona began a career in Tax Accounting working for Internal Revenue Service, KPMG, and AT&T.
America "Meri" Flores
Access Coach, Cross Keys High School
Meri Flores serves as the Postsecondary Access Coach at Cross Keys High School—her alma mater—where she supports students in navigating every step of their postsecondary journey, including college selection, applications, admissions, financial aid, and enrollment.
Before joining College AIM, Meri worked at Oglethorpe University, also her alma mater, as an Admission Counselor and TheDream.US Scholar Advisor. In this role, she gained extensive experience supporting undocumented students and their families, helping them overcome systemic barriers to higher education.
As a bilingual access coach, Meri is dedicated to empowering students and families who face language and cultural barriers, ensuring they have the resources and confidence to pursue their goals. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies: Media Studies from Oglethorpe University.
Jaunice Vega
Access Coach, Lithonia High School
Jaunice serves as the Postsecondary Access Coach at Lithonia High School for College AIM, where she guides ALL seniors through the college application process, scholarships, FAFSA, admission interviews, and more.
Before joining College AIM, Jaunice was an admissions counselor at Agnes Scott College, where she worked with students from Fulton County, New York, New Jersey, and transfer students. Her time at Agnes Scott ignited a deep passion for supporting underserved populations and students of color. Jaunice is dedicated to overcoming educational barriers that hinder these students from reaching their dream institutions, and she is committed to provide all students with the skills, tools, and resources they need to thrive academically, socially, and financially after High School.
Jaunice earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education and Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Muhlenberg College.
Briana Harper
Success Program Manager
Briana Harper serves as the Success Program Manager at College AIM, where she leads the Success Program designed to guide collegians to and through college. In this role, she provides leadership for the Success Team and directly coaches a caseload of over 100 students who have completed College AIM’s high school program and are now continuing their postsecondary journeys at technical, two-year, and four-year institutions across the country. Briana also supports additional collegians beyond her caseload through outreach and coaching to help ensure steady progress toward graduation. Her work combines team leadership, data-informed strategy, and personalized student support to help every College AIM scholar persist and thrive in their academic pursuits.
Before joining College AIM, Briana built a strong foundation in education and student development. She previously worked with the Educational Talent Search program through TRiO, where she supported first-generation and low-income students in navigating the college access process. Briana also spent over seven years teaching mathematics, further deepening her passion for empowering students through education. She is a proud two-time graduate of the University of West Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology with an endorsement in Online Teaching.
At the heart of Briana’s work is a simple yet powerful belief: once you believe in yourself, no obstacle can stand in the way of your success. She is deeply honored to walk alongside each scholar on their journey and remains committed to helping the next generation turn their dreams into reality.
Kamore Campbell
Success Coach, Cross Keys High School
Kamore serves as Scholarship Coordinator for College AIM. In this role, she assists with the tracking, awarding and stewardship processes for all College AIM scholarships. She also coordinates several aspects of our CAPS Scholarship program including workshops and mentor engagement.
Kamore was the Salutatorian of her graduating class at McNair High School, one of College AIM’s partner schools. Through dual enrollment, she completed high school with an Associates Degree in Business Management. As a College AIM Collegian, Kamore was nominated for and completed a Federal Advocacy Fellowship with the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) and co-authored an article advocating for need-based aid in Georgia. Kamore has also worked for College AIM as a communications and advocacy intern.
Kamore graduated from American University in May 2024 with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Bachelor's in Business Administration.
Mishana Carson
Success Coach, Stone Mountain High School
Mishana Carson serves as a Postsecondary Success Coach with College AIM. In this role, she helps students thrive on campus within bachelor's degree programs in and outside of Georgia. She is on a mission to empower and uplift the next generation of change-makers.
Drawing from a diverse background, Mishana's journey has been a tapestry woven with threads of advocacy, finance, and compassion. She has a heart dedicated to social justice and has championed the rights of the marginalized, fought for equality, and worked tirelessly to dismantle barriers hindering access to education and opportunity with organizations like 9to5 Georgia.
Mishana is a College AIM alum and received a degree in Financial Planning from the University of Georgia. She utilizes her experience in the financial services sector as a catalyst for social transformation by assisting the students with financial tools for success. Mishana firmly believes in the potential of financial literacy to drive economic empowerment and bridge the gap between dreams and reality especially in the college process.
Ismail Green
Success Coach, McNair & Towers High Schools
Ismail serves as Postsecondary Success Coach with College AIM. In this role, he helps students thrive on campus at technical, two and four-year colleges. Ismail works as a close advisor to his students, ensuring that they have the academic, financial and social support and resources they need to persist and graduate.
Prior to joining the College AIM team, Ismail served as a mentor in Booker T. Washington High School, KIPP Atlanta Collegiate and surrounding public schools in Greater Atlanta. Ismail is a College AIM alum and received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Morehouse College. While at Morehouse, Ismail received the Bonner Scholarship of Community Service. Through the Bonner program, Ismail led service projects at various Atlanta Public Schools, again serving as a mentor to numerous students.
Ismail has an ever-growing passion to inspire scholars with backgrounds similar to his, and this motivation has led him to return to College AIM to join the staff.
DeMario Hardmon-Fort
Director, Operations & Culture
At College AIM, DeMario makes our systems go—leading administration, events, and human resources. He keeps us efficient and cohesive and is the engine behind much of the programming you see.
Before joining College AIM, DeMario founded Speaklight, an EdTech venture dedicated to promoting success through holistic balance. His curriculum has had an impact on thousands of learners across the nation through strategic partnerships with various schools and nonprofits. He also served as a Program Coordinator at the American National Standards Institute (ANAB), where he contributed to accreditation and training services, and started his career as a high school English teacher.
DeMario is a proud alumnus of the University of Florida and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, which helped spark his passion for education. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Education and Human Development from George Washington University and a Google IT Support Certificate.
Joanne Santivasci
Director, Development & Communications
Joanne leads College AIM's development strategy and works with our philanthropic, corporate and community partners. She also works closely with our individual donors.
Prior to this role, Joanne served with College AIM as the founding Program Director for the CAPS Scholarship, our Database Administrator and as Associate Director. In those roles, she was responsible for managing operations, communications and data, while establishing systems and procedures to help us grow. She also played a key role in fundraising and events management. Joanne brings 20+ years of experience in the education and nonprofit sectors to this work and is committed to ensuring all students have access to the knowledge, support and resources needed to achieve their goals.
Joanne holds a BA in English from Boston University, MS in English Education from Nova Southeastern University, MBA from Florida International University and a College Counseling Certificate from UCLA Extension.
Board of Directors
Alicia Allen
College AIM Alumnus
Grade Level Chair
The Kindezi Schools
Beth Githuku
Director of Partnerships
Gift Card Bank
Bharath Parthasarathy
Senior Director
Slalom
Cory Jackson
Market President
Synovus Bank
Dominick Capotosto
Associate General Counsel
Georgia State University
Emani Fenton
Executive Search and Asssessment Consultant
Russell Reynolds Associates
Esohe Galbreath
Board Treasurer
Owner & Chief Executive Consultant
Sohé Solutions
Hernán Gallegos
Board President and College AIM Alumnus
Manual Quality Assurance Engineer
Onshape, a PTC Business
Michael Rosenzweig
Former President and CEO
Multiple Non-Profit Organizations
Molly Kittrell
Portfolio Manager
Crawford Investment Counsel
