Contact the Learn More Indiana team to learn more about our resources and services to help students plan, prepare and pay for college completion and career success.
Main number: 317-464-4404
Helpline: 1-800-992-2076
Communications & Campaigns
Sara Hess
Campaign Coordinator & Editor (Independent Contractor for Learn More Indiana)
Sara Hess joined Learn More Indiana in May 2011 to provide writing, communications and policy advocacy expertise. She brings her background in journalism and public relations to Learn More Indiana’s student success publications, and assists in the coordination of the three statewide campaigns. Additionally, Sara’s interest in Indiana education policy issues, particularly school choice and educational quality, informs the policy guidance and strategic planning she provides for Learn More Indiana. Sara graduated from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a Master’s in Public Affairs and also holds a BA from Purdue University.
Contact Sara:
317-464-4400 ext. 139
sara.hess@learnmore.org
Doug Lintner
Design & Digital Media Manager
Doug Lintner joined the Learn More Indiana team in 2009. As a Design & Digital Media Manager, he is actively involved in developing and maintaining design standards for Learn More Indiana. He supports the development and distribution of marketing materials, print publications, promotional displays, presentations and multimedia content, along with the production of video and other multimedia products. He manages and maintains the Learn More Indiana website to enhance Learn More Indiana’s online presence and usage. Doug also collaborates with the Campaign Coordinator and Press Secretary for all creative material related to statewide public relations and marketing campaigns led by Learn More Indiana. He holds a BS degree from Purdue University's College of Technology.
Contact Doug:
317-464-4400 ext. 137
dougl@learnmore.org
Coalitions & Outreach
Kelly Nelson
Grant Implementation Manager (Independent Contractor for Learn More Indiana)
Kelly Nelson planned Learn More Indiana’s College Success Mentoring initiative from start to finish, and coordinates with schools, organizations and communities to provide students with trained mentors as they complete high school and enter college. Kelly also oversees the implementation of Learn More’s College Access Challenge Grant (CACG), Core to College grant and Complete College America (CCA) grant. Her background includes teaching high school English and serving as an assessment consultant for the Indiana Department of Education. Kelly graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor’s of Science in secondary English teaching and K-12 special education. She also earned a master’s degree from Indiana University Bloomington in curriculum and instruction, and holds school administration licensure.
Contact Kelly:
kellyn@che.in.gov
Susan Tharp
County Coalition Outreach Manager (Independent Contractor for Learn More Indiana)
Susan Tharp began working for Learn More Indiana in December of 2008 as the College Success Coordinator. Susan’s responsibilities include partnership development, networking with community and faith-based organizations, managing volunteers and supporting college access programs. Her background includes sales and marketing and over 15 years of experience in the student loan industry. She has experience working with guidance counselors, families and students to assist them with the college planning process. Susan has a passion for helping students get to college and enjoys sharing resources and information that assist them in that process. Susan graduated from Ball State University with a BS in English and a minor in Counseling Psychology.
Contact Susan:
765-366-9151
susant@learnmore.org
Operations
Jason Bearce
Director
Jason Bearce has served as Associate Commissioner at the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and Director of Learn More Indiana since 2009. In his role at the Commission, Jason serves as a policy adviser to the Commissioner while overseeing communication and outreach efforts designed to increase college completion and student success. Jason previously held leadership positions at the Indiana Department of Education as Director of Communications and adviser to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Jason is a graduate of Purdue University.
Contact Jason:
317-464-4400 ext. 119
jbearce@che.in.gov
Tatum Miller
AmeriCorps Director & Operations Manager
Tatum Miller officially joined the Learn More Indiana staff in May 2011 after an internship with the Commission for Higher Education. Tatum’s experiences with the Indiana Senate Education Committee and education research for other elected officials prepared her for her role as Operations Manager, which includes coordination of campaign materials to promote college access and success, overseeing the budget of Learn More Indiana and managing day-to-day operations. A community volunteer and passionate supporter of college access, Tatum brings a wealth of insight to her strategic position on the Learn More Indiana team. Tatum graduated from IUPUI’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a BS in Public Affairs and minors in Latin and Political Science.
Contact Tatum:
317-464-4400 ext. 140
tatum.miller@learnmore.org
21st Century Scholars
Chris Enstrom
Director of Outreach
Chris Enstrom was appointed as the Director of Outreach for the 21st Century Scholars Program in 2012. Prior to holding this position, he worked as the Student Coordinator for the program's Bloomington support site and as director of the 21st Century Scholars Program for Indiana University. In his current role, Chris supervises eight regional outreach coordinators who are charged with collaborating with K-12 schools, higher education institutions, local businesses and youth-serving organizations to create programs and services to better serve 21st Century Scholars in their regions. Under Chris' guidance, these regions are increasing their focus on college readiness and post-secondary educational attainment. Chris received his MA in English from Eastern Illinois University, and worked in publishing and career counseling before starting his career with the 21st Century Scholars Program in 2006.
Contact Chris:
317-464-4400 ext. 143
censtrom@learnmore.org
Regional Outreach Coordinator - West Region
Jason Carter began working for the 21st Century Scholars Program in January 2007 as a Program Assistant. Jason was quickly promoted to West Central Site Coordinator in April 2008. His current responsibilities include partnership development, alumni association relations, community outreach and supporting Scholars as they complete college in the 13 western counties he serves (Benton, Clay, Fountain, Hendricks, Montgomery, Morgan, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo and Warren counties). His background is ideal for the position of Outreach Coordinator, including program management, instructional design and over 10 years of experience supporting student success. Jason does his best every day to enable and inspire students to reach their full potential. He graduated from Illinois State University with a BS in Program Management and expects to graduate with an MS in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University in April 2013.
Glenda Ervins
Regional Outreach Coordinator - Northeast Region
Glenda Ervins is the Regional Outreach Coordinator for 13 northeast Indiana counties which include over 16,000 21st Century Scholar families in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Elkhart, Grant, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitely counties. Glenda is responsible for recruiting Scholars and providing early college awareness through workshops and college visits. She works with community youth-serving organizations, local schools and colleges to promote messages about planning, preparing and paying for college completion. Glenda earned her BA from Indiana University and has been involved in providing youth support services for the past several years. Her career with the 21st Century Scholars program began in 2005, when she served as Student Coordinator, and she was later promoted to Site Coordinator in 2008.
Contact Glenda:
317-617-0237
gervins@learnmore.org
Verleaish Jones
Regional Outreach Coordinator - Northwest Region
Verleaish Jones is the 21st Century Scholars Coordinator for the Northwest Region, including Fulton, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, St. Joseph and Starke counties. Verleaish is responsible for coordinating college success programming for Scholars and developing collaborations between schools, youth-serving organizations and college campuses.
Contact Verleaish:
317-617-0362
vjones@learnmore.org
Barbara Martin
Regional Outreach Coordinator - Southwest Region
Barbara Martin is the 21st Century Scholars Regional Outreach Coordinator for the Southwest Region, including Brown, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Owen, Perry, Pike, Posey, Orange, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick counties. She coordinates outreach support services for Scholars in these counties, including recruitment efforts and college success programming. She also develops and maintains collaborative partnerships with local youth-serving organizations, college campuses, school districts and other community-based organizations. Barbara earned her BS in English from Indiana State University and taught high school English for 13 years before making the transition to student support services at the university level. She also earned her MS in Public Service Administration from the University of Evansville before joining Learn More in August 2012.
Contact Barbara:
317-617-0317
bmartin@learnmore.org
Brianna Morse
Regional Outreach Coordinator - Southeast Region
Brianna Morse is the 21
Contact Brianna:
317-617-0329
bmorse@learnmore.org
Amy Parraga
Regional Outreach Coordinator - North Central Region
Amy Parraga is the 21st Century Scholars North Central Regional Coordinator, serving Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Hamilton, Howard, Miami, Tipton, and White counties. Her work includes partnering with area community agencies, schools and College Success Coalitions to provide services for Scholars and their families. Amy began working with the 21st Century Scholars Program in 1997 in the Kokomo area, and continues to be driven by the satisfaction of showing students that they can both go to college and succeed. A graduate of Indiana University Kokomo, Amy holds a BA in English and an MS in Secondary Education. She is also a licensed English teacher for grades 5-12.
Contact Amy:
317-617-0223
aparraga@learnmore.org
Miranda Scully
Regional Outreach Coordinator - East Region
Miranda Scully is the 21st Century Scholars Regional Outreach Coordinator for the East Region, serving Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hancock, Henry, Jay, Johnson, Madison, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Union and Wayne counties. Miranda brings with her over 10 years of experience in assisting students as they prepare, pursue and excel in their educational goals. Prior to joining the 21st Century Scholars Program in September 2012, she worked with the University of Kentucky as an Academic Counselor and Bluegrass Community & Technical College's Upward Bound Program as a Student Development Specialist. In her current position, Miranda is responsible for bringing various schools, community partners, resources and agencies together in order to best serve the East Region's Scholars. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Health Promotion with an emphasis on student wellness. Additionally, Miranda is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where she received her BA in Social Work and Sociology as well as her MA in Social Work.
Contact Miranda:
317-617-0249
mscully@learnmore.org
DiAnna Washington
Regional Outreach Coordinator - Central Region
DiAnna Washington is the 21st Century Scholars Outreach Coordinator for the Central Region, serving Marion County. DiAnna has spent the past 14 years working with college readiness programs and secondary and post-secondary students, staff and faculty to generate conversations and collaborations to support student success, educational reform and civic engagement. She is currently working on her doctorate in Educational Psychology at Indiana University. DiAnna holds an MBA, an MA in Community Counseling and a BA in Psychology.
Contact DiAnna:
317-617-0318
dwashington@learnmore.org
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