Staff
Jamesia Craig
Executive Director
Jamesia Craig serves as Executive Director of College AIM, where she leads the organization's strategic vision, partnerships, and operations to expand economic mobility through postsecondary attainment. She assumed the role after serving as College AIM's Associate Director, where she spent a year overseeing program operations, organizational strategy, and staff development while helping prepare the organization for its next phase of growth. In her current role, she is responsible for advancing College AIM's mission, strengthening organizational capacity, and guiding its continued growth and impact.
Prior to joining College AIM's leadership team, Jamesia built more than a decade of experience in college access, student success, and educational equity. She has worked directly with students, families, school districts, and community partners to increase postsecondary access and completion, with a particular focus on supporting first-generation college students and students from historically underserved communities. Her leadership is grounded in a deep understanding of the barriers students face and a commitment to developing solutions that create lasting opportunity.
Jamesia earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee and her master's degree in Higher Education from Florida International University. She is committed to building on College AIM's strong foundation by expanding its impact through data-informed decision-making, strategic partnerships, and innovative programming that prepares students not only to enroll in college, but to complete a credential and transition into meaningful careers.
Dr. Corey Sheffield
Senior Director, Programs and Partnerships
Dr. Sheffield leads College AIM’s programs and oversees the Access and Success teams, supporting students on their journeys to and through college. He also builds and strengthens college and community partnerships that expand opportunities and help students succeed.
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.
Jaunice Vega
Access Manager, McNair and Towers High Schools
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.
Dewona Bridges
Senior 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.
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.
Ismail Green
Success Manager, McNair & Towers High Schools
Ismail serves as Success Manager at College AIM, where he manages the Success Coaching team and supports a caseload of students. He works closely with students attending technical, two-year, and four-year colleges, helping them navigate academic, financial, and personal challenges and connecting them with the 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.
Mishana Carson
Senior Success Coach, Stone Mountain High School
Mishana Carson serves as a Senior 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.
Kamore Campbell
Manager of Strategic Growth
Kamore serves as Manager of Strategic Growth at College AIM, where she cultivates new school partnerships and supports students at College AIM’s newest partner high schools. She also develops partnerships with organizations and employers that help make the transition from college to career more accessible for students.
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.
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
Senior 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
Alexis Swanson
Impact Manager
Inspire Brands
Ashlee Spearman
Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success
Clayton State University
Beth Githuku
Board President
Director of Partnerships
Gift Card Bank
David Ragals
Vice President, Client Success
MessageGears
Dominick Capotosto
Board Secretary
Georgia State University
Associate General Counsel
Geoffrey Easterling
Operating Partner
Southeast Acquisition Capital
Marshall Orson
Past Chair
DeKalb County Board of Education
Molly Kittrell
Portfolio Manager
Crawford Investment Counsel
Stephanie McCrary
Manager, Sales Enablement
Alma
College AIM Alumnus
