TICAS
Staff
Carol Ashley
Operations AssociateCarol serves as the Operations Coordinator for TICAS. She has coached and mentored over 300 students in their path toward higher education.
Sarah Bouabibsa
Program ManagerSarah is a Program Manager at TICAS. She works on TICAS’ California team to expand college affordability and bolster college accountability.
Ellie Bruecker, Ph.D.
Senior Director of ResearchDr. Ellie Bruecker is our Senior Director of Research, leading the Research Team in conducting high-quality data analysis and student-centered research. Ellie is a passionate advocate for equity in higher education and is committed to bridging the gap between research and policy change.
Valerie Crespín-Trujillo, Ph.D.
Senior Director, College Completion and Basic Needs PolicyValerie is a Director, College Completion Policy at TICAS. She leads TICAS' efforts to expand and align state and federal investment with evidence-based student supports that research has demonstrated empower more students to enroll and graduate from college.
Katie Dorpinghaus
Senior Director of Finance and OperationsKatie is a Senior Director of Finance and Operations at TICAS. She directs TICAS' accounting and financial operations. She is a proud AmeriCorps alum and is passionate about increasing access to high quality education and equity in workforce and economic development.
Mia Elliott
Senior Research AssociateMia is a Senior Research Associate at TICAS. In her role she works collaboratively with programmatic teams to seek data-informed solutions.
Tanya I. Garcia, Ph.D.
Vice PresidentAs VP at TICAS, Tanya is responsible for advancing our state policy agenda, strengthening the organization’s relationships with policymakers and key partners, overseeing the college completion policy and New York policy and advocacy portfolios, and serving as an external ambassador for TICAS.
Brianna Huynh
Research AssociateBrianna Huynh currently serves as a Research Associate at TICAS, where she works collaboratively with programmatic teams to seek data-informed solutions, with her policy work informed by her own educational journey
Te’Asia Jordan, Ph.D.
Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy, MichiganDr. Te'Asia Jordan is the Senior Director of our Michigan work. She is an educational leader, qualitative researcher, and scholar-practitioner whose work sits at the intersection of college access, workforce development, and community engagement.
MaryGrace C. Joyce
Associate Director of Strategic CommunicationsMaryGrace is the Associate Director of Strategic Communications at TICAS. She works to ensure that TICAS' public policy priorities resonate clearly with a variety of audiences and that TICAS' external communications are positioned to drive systemic change.
Kirsten E. Keefe, J.D.
Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy, New YorkKirsten is a Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy, New York at TICAS. In her role, she leads initiatives aimed at closing the affordability gap and ensuring equitable access to higher education opportunities for all in New York State.
Christopher Madaio
Senior Advisor, AccountabilityChristopher J. Madaio works closely with attorneys general, policymakers, and advocates to advance policies that hold institutions accountable and safeguard students’ educational investments.
Deborah Martin
Senior Policy AssociateDeborah Martin serves as a Senior Policy Associate for TICAS' Anti-Poverty and Basic Needs team. She supports TICAS’ efforts to close equity gaps and align anti-poverty goals to strengthen the nation’s workforce.
José Miranda
Senior Director, Federal External AffairsJosé serves as the Senior Director, Federal External Affairs at TICAS, where he leads TICAS’s federal efforts to build a broad coalition of support for its federal policy agenda working with advocates, lawmakers and their staff, and federal agencies to improve the nation’s higher education system.
Jen Mishory
PresidentJen joins TICAS as a higher education and workforce policy expert and seasoned executive. She previously served as the Deputy Under Secretary in the U.S. Department of Education and in the White House as First Lady Jill Biden’s Senior Advisor on workforce and education.
Ana Oseguera
Associate Director, OperationsAna serves as the Associate Director of Operations at TICAS. She is passionate about creating efficient processes, supporting employees, and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Erika Roberson
Senior Policy AssociateErika is a senior policy associate supporting TICAS’ anti-poverty and basic needs work. She is particularly passionate about closing opportunity gaps for students from low-income families and those in rural communities, similar to those of her hometown.
Cynthia Schaal
Chief Operating OfficerCynthia is the Chief Operating Officer at TICAS, where she leads operations, finance, and people initiatives at TICAS. She brings extensive experience in strategic decision making, leading complex organizational change, and developing individual and team talent.
Manon Steel
Program Manager, MichiganManon is a Program Manager, Michigan at TICAS. She is is deeply committed to making college affordable for all students throughout the Mitten State. She works on state postsecondary policy aimed at expanding access to financial aid and ensuring it’s equitably distributed.
Laura Szabo-Kubitz
Senior Policy AdvisorLaura is a Senior Policy Advisor at TICAS working to advance our California portfolio through policy development, coalition building, and advocacy. Through research, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement, she strengthens higher education access and affordability for Californians.
Tim Ward
Senior Director of Strategic Communications and External AffairsTim is the Senior Director of Strategic Communications and External Affairs at TICAS. He leads efforts to expand the organization's reach and influence by enhancing its reputation, strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, and raising the visibility of its leaders and experts.
Chandler Whitted
Senior Associate, Strategic CommunicationsChandler works as a Senior Associate of Strategic Communications at TICAS. Chandler is passionate about using strategic communications to drive change and believes social media is a powerful tool for educating, engaging, and inspiring action.
