Roscoe Compton-Kelly serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Education Opens Doors, where he leads the cultivation, relationship management and strategy around EOD partners and donors.

Prior to joining Education Opens Doors, Roscoe worked at Scholastic Book Fairs for over 20 years and served in several leadership capacities during his tenure. Most recently, he worked as Territory Manager of Strategic Partnerships where he oversaw the business strategy and implementation of new business partnerships in school districts across the southern US.

Roscoe is a Texas native, a child and spouse of current Texas educators. Roscoe attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. He is an avid reader and traveler. Roscoe also serves on the Board of Directors of Dallas Hope Charities, and also as singing member of the world-
renowned Turtle Creek Chorale.

Jordan Bender currently serves as Director of Advancement for Education Opens Doors. Before joining the Education Opens Doors team, Jordan worked as the Development Manager for ScholarShot, where she managed donor relations and played a key role in developing Corporate partners. Jordan has a wide range of experience in development; her specialties include fundraising, cultivating donor relationships, planning and coordinating special events, social media marketing, and grant writing.

Jordan received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Marine Policy from the University of Miami. Jordan began her career in non-profit environmental education, but eventually transitioned to a non-profit career focused in fundraising. While she is originally from South Florida, Jordan now considers herself to be a Texan. Jordan has committed herself to serve her community and helping individuals realize their full potential. As a former educator, she knows and recognizes the disconnect in communities with education and has prioritized working to close that gap.

When I was in middle school, I wanted to be…

an astronaut or marine biologist!

Rose is a talent strategist and program practitioner having dedicated her entire career to the academic and professional growth and development of people and communities. By finding and focusing on the intersectionality between intellect, intentionality, and integrity she has led lasting change in the education, nonprofit, and social services sectors for over 15 years. Rose earned a B.S. in Health Promotion at Texas Woman’s University and then went on to earn her MBA with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. Prior to joining Education Opens Doors, she led the DFW market as Site Director of a national social impact nonprofit and directed the creation of allied health workforce educational pathways and programs, developed curriculum and training platforms for faculty and students, and drove student-centered success and equity strategy at a local community college, Dallas College.

In her spare time, she mentors West Dallas youth through her budding nonprofit, SEA of Possibilities, enjoys playing with dinosaurs and sea animals with her grandson, and reads every single book related to joy, wellness, and industrial-organizational psychology.

Charles has taught elementary and middle school in several Dallas-Fort Worth school districts. After a fifteen-year career, he accepted a position as a curriculum developer/project manager with a computer science immersion company, serving schools in Boston, California, and Texas.

Most recently, Charles has continued in project management and instructional design in contracted leadership roles in higher education and private industry. His specialty and passion remain ultimately in the service and development of people, leveraging the appropriate technologies and resources.

Charles has earned a PhD in Learning Technologies from The University of North Texas, a Master’s in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from The University of Central Arkansas. In addition, he maintains multiple teacher and administrative certifications.

When I was in middle school, I wanted to be…

an artist

James Jesse currently serves as Director of Partnerships for Education Opens Doors. For over 15 years, James has been a leader in the college access space. In his prior work, he co-founded an educational nonprofit organization, building multiple programs from the ground up, and leading high-achieving teams. James has been honored with multiple awards from community organizations and, most recently, from his alma mater for his contributions to the community. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hardin-Simmons University in English and Philosophy, and he will finish his Master of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in Nonprofit Leadership this year.

Both a first-generation high school graduate and first-generation college graduate, James has dedicated his life to helping low-income youth and adults achieve a college education. He is a passionate advocate for equity for people of color and for LGBT individuals, and he thrives in building relationships with others, advocating for partnerships, and coaching people for growth.

When he is not volunteering at his church, you can find James enjoying Korean food with his wife Mary and three children, or planning his next family vacation.

When I was in middle school, I wanted to be…

an author.

Katie Ibrahim holds a BFA from Southern Methodist University in Theatre Studies. She is thrilled to be joining the team at EOD as the Executive Assistant.

Originally from Orlando Florida, Katie has called several cities home since graduating from SMU including Boston and New York City. She has since returned to Dallas and transferred her creative, communication, and organization skills from the theatre world to the education world where she has been a camp counselor, nanny, after-school teacher, and full-time Child Development Center teacher. She has worked with children of all ages, from infants to seniors in high school. Whether it’s managing a unit of cabins containing 170 middle-school campers in a session or spending the day with a two-week-old newborn named Jackson, she receives great joy from working with growing minds. She sees educating all children, from all places and all backgrounds, and investing in their human development as an essential part of creating a better future world for us all.

Katie also continues to work in the theatre world as a director, stage manager, and teaching artist. She has most recently worked at Second Thought Theatre, Shakespeare Dallas, and teaches acting classes to both children and adults at The Playground Acting Program. She sees performance and storytelling as another gateway to emotional, empathetic, and communication growth in kids and adults alike.

When I was in middle school, I wanted to be…

A movie director.

Kelsey Martin is the Manager of Creative Projects at Education Opens Doors. She comes to the EOD team with experience in both local and international education arenas and is passionate about changing the narrative of what seems possible in digital learning spaces.

As an English Language Arts educator at a Title I high school in Central FL, Kelsey sought to educate the whole student through thoughtful approaches to literature and social complexities. Upon leaving the classroom, Kelsey served as a founding creative team member for an educational start-up based in Beijing, China focusing on mobile app development and the social-emotional development of young children. Through these experiences, she was equipped to enter the dynamic world of higher education where she partnered with various subject matter experts and university officials to create equitable and inclusive digital learning materials in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic. She is honored to be a part of the Education Opens Doors team and excited to continue their life-changing work in Dallas, TX and beyond.

Kelsey holds a BA in Secondary English Language Arts Education from The University of Central Florida and a M.Ed. in Instructional Design & Technology with certification in Digital & Distance Learning from The University of South Florida.

when i was in middle school, i wanted to be…

A detective.

Nia is excited to continue to serve the Dallas-Fort Worth community as an Implementation Manager to help provide educational access to all students and empower the next generation of leaders. Prior to joining the EOD team, Nia professionally worked as a single-gender educator in Dallas, Tx. In 2016, she began her career in education as a DFW Teach for America corps member teaching 8th grade English language arts and reading for 2 years.  Upon leaving 8th grade she continued teaching scholars reading and language arts from grades 5 to first. Through her experiences working with students from diverse backgrounds and populations, one thing has remained evident: education opens the door for opportunities for others to live out their purpose. She whole-heartedly believes that the gift of knowledge and understanding of opportunities and one’s own potential, ignites their ability to walk in their God-given purpose. Nia has experience developing student-centered curriculum, creating and leading adult professional development, as well as mentoring new teachers.

Maxi Anderson currently serves as Senior Advancement Associate at Education Opens Doors. Before joining Education Opens Doors, Maxi worked at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas in the resource development department. She worked as a corporate relations manager. She developed and managed account strategies for multiple corporate partners increasing revenue through employee-giving campaigns, volunteer engagement, sponsorships, and significant, mid-level, and corporate gifts.

Maxi received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship, Venture Management, and Marketing from The University of Oklahoma. Her minor areas of study focused on nonprofit organizations, non-governmental organizations, and African-American Studies. Maxi is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Drexel University. She is a Texas native and has multiple lifelong educators in her family. She enjoys traveling and exploring the globe (visited all seven continents) to help understand and bridge cultures. To live her life as a reflection of her passion, Maxi loves assisting others in reaching their full potential.

Alexzandria Ijeh is honored and delighted to join Education Opens Doors as an Implementation Manager. She is excited to continue to collaborate with the great teachers of the DFW metroplex. It is her hope, that by providing students with enriching, strategic, and data proven road maps to success, then many will pursue the
postsecondary choices that are best for them and their future.

With over 12 years experience as a general elementary education teacher in public education, specifically in Title I schools, Alex truly understands the value of the role in our community. This experience led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Affairs
from the University of Texas at Dallas where she was able to enhance her passion for education policy. From there, she continued her career serving as a Dean of Academics overseeing all best teaching practices and strategies for teachers in grades 3-5 with a specific focus in analyzing quantitative and qualitative data. As a
product of public schools, her desire to research and interpret long-term goals for education in urban areas, to be at the helm of creating new policies and procedures for our students is what she knows that she is here to do. She believes her educational background and research project experience has instilled in her to meet the rigor of this demanding profession.

When I was in middle school, I wanted to be…

a fantasy writer or ballet dancer.

Phil Ward is excited to continue to serve the Dallas-Fort Worth community as the Manager of Learning & Development with Education Opens Doors, supporting teachers in equipping their students with the awareness, knowledge, and skills they need to become the next generation of leaders and world changers.

Prior to joining the team at EOD, Phil worked as an facilitator and program manager, equipping and training young adults on soft skill development and life skills, while empowering them to walk boldly into Fortune 500 companies through internships that led to gainful employment. While his experiences working with students from different backgrounds and socio-economic populations has varied, he has held firm to the belief that elevation and empowerment isn’t just tied to purpose, it’s tied to perspective. He aspires to not just “open doors”, but open the eyes of as many people as possible, encouraging them that while opportunity is not always created equally, determination and will are, and they never have to settle for being defined by the situations or circumstances they may have been born in. For over a decade, Phil’s life mission has allowed him countless opportunities in the areas of curriculum development, facilitation, people empowerment and life coaching and has resulted in creating a ripple effect that will profoundly impact this community and beyond for generations to come.

when i was in middle school, i wanted to be…

The starting Point Guard for the Los Angeles Lakers!

Lisa Carrillo serves as the Manager of Operations for Education Opens Doors. Lisa began her path in education as a teacher’s assistant, where she gained extensive love for educators and student support. Born and raised in Dallas, TX, Lisa saw first hand the disadvantages in lower-income communities and communities of color. With a life goal to make a measurable difference in the lives of our future leaders, this led Lisa to shift her career out of the classroom but still offer her support in education in a different capacity. With nearly 10 years of administration experience, Lisa served as the Executive Assistant in a Post-Secondary and Early College department. She understands the importance and focus that all students deserve the opportunity to have access and exposure to the college-going process, attain a postsecondary degree, and be able to secure a meaningful career. She has had the opportunity to serve and assist campus leadership staff, develop and maintain positive relations with a variety of stakeholders, as well as developed  knowledge of operational strategy and financial account management. Lisa wholeheartedly believes that all students deserve the opportunity to pursue their limitless potential, regardless of their race, gender-identity, ability or background.

When I was in middle school, I wanted to be…

A photographer – “Photography is an austere and blazing poetry of the real.” – Ansel Adams.

Tianna François serves as the Manager of Human Resources at Education Opens Doors. She is responsible for coordinating all HR administrative activities including talent acquisition and employee relations. She also leads culture, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for the organization.

Prior to joining Education Opens Doors, Tianna, who is originally from California, worked for the State of California as a HR Professional. She led the Employee Recognition and Engagement program as a part of the Corporate HR Culture department. She also was integral in supporting the Employee Assistance Program, the Corporate Social Responsibility team and was a lead member for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. She is driven by her passion for creating and cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce. She believes that diversity empowers people to bring forth their best ideas which leads the way towards innovation.

Tianna received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Industrial- Organizational Psychology from CSU Sacramento and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from University of Phoenix.

When I was in middle school, I wanted to be…

The President or a CEO

A seasoned educator, Kristen is passionate about providing college readiness skills and knowledge to students in order to empower them through their educational journeys and beyond. In her time teaching, she often came across students who wanted to go to college but simply didn’t know what to do to achieve their goals. This sparked a career-long commitment to providing students with the information and skills they need to set and attain their aspirations. She deeply believes that all students should be equipped with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their future.

Kristen is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and continues to serve on the UTeach Liberal Arts Advisory Council. She received a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Texas and focused primarily on college readiness and gifted and talented education in her course work. Kristen taught for 14 years throughout North Texas.

Christine Vu serves as the Manager of Partnerships at Education Opens Doors. She is a first-generation college graduate and received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Masters in Marketing from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Christine has always had a passion for education and the opportunities it provides. After starting her career in the private sector, Christine decided to dedicate her efforts toward combating social disparities and focused on education. She is an AmeriCorps alum and served in Title I schools, leading literacy programs for underserved students and communities in Dallas. She continued her work in Title I schools managing education programs for multiple schools across the Dallas metroplex focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Christine believes in the power of community and in the ability we all have to transform lives. She enjoys cooking, practicing yoga, and taking road trips with her dogs and husband.

WHEN I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, I WANTED TO BE…

a veterinarian!

Devon Lockard, M.Ed., is the Data Manager at Education Opens Doors. Devon’s education background started out with a position as a physics and math teacher in a high-needs school in Wichita, Kansas where he conducted a mentorship program targeting Black male students and coached Track and Field. He later became a program director for a TRIO college access program that targets low-income and first generation students before he relocated to Dallas and taught math in Dallas Public Schools. Devon gained experiences in education research as an assistant data scientist at the University of Oklahoma finding ways to improve campus policies to increase retention, as well as being a research assistant at Southern Methodist University delving into student debt and teachers of color in the labor market. Devon holds a passion for youth development and mentorship as a previous board member and program advisor for a non-profit focused on college access for Black male students.

Devon Lockard received his Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education: Physics from Wichita State University and also completed a Master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education: Institutional Research from the University of Oklahoma. Devon is currently a Ph.D. student in Education at Southern Methodist University with research focuses in econometrics and access, retention, and success of underrepresented populations.

when i was in middle school, i wanted to be…

An astronomer.

Jeff McGuire is the Director of Communications at Education Opens Doors. Prior to joining EOD, Jeff served as an 11th grade AP English teacher and IB English teacher in West Dallas for three years. Before becoming a classroom teacher, Jeff worked for an education non-profit advocacy group in Washington, D.C., where his work focused on improving the educational circumstances for military-connected children. Prior to his career in education, Jeff served five years as an Airborne Infantryman in the U.S. Army, serving one twelve-month deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and one eighteen-month deployment to South Korea.

Jeff received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma and holds a Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University in Education, and a Master’s degree from George Mason University in Conflict Analysis and Resolution.

when i was in middle school, i wanted to be…

A writer.

Jayda Batchelder is the founder and former CEO of Education Opens Doors. Jayda was inspired to create Education Opens Doors in 2012 while working as a Teach For America corps member at a high need middle school in Dallas, TX. It was through her work as an award-winning science teacher that she realized content mastery alone did not adequately prepare her students for success. She searched for a resource or program to meet this need, and when she realized one did not exist, she developed the Roadmap to Success student manual. In 2012 she left the classroom to launch Education Opens Doors to expand student access to the Roadmap to Success.

Jayda’s work in the college access sphere has garnered her a number of accolades. In 2015, Jayda was named a “40 Under 40” honoree by the Dallas Business Journal. In 2016, she was selected as a Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Entrepreneur and in 2017 was selected as a Marshall Memorial Fellow. Most recently she was honored as an inaugural recipient of the I Stand for Parkland Community First Award.

When I was in middle school, I wanted to be…

I wanted to be a marine biologist (funny because I lived in a landlocked state) or a veterinarian!