OUR TEAM
The Kentucky Student Success Collaborative Team
Helping drive The Kentucky Student Success Collaborative forward
Assistant Vice President
Lilly Massa-McKinley, Ed.D.
Lilly has worked in higher education for over 15 years in an array of areas including crisis counseling, community engagement, access and success support, career development, and strategic partnerships. While working with the 55,000 Degrees Initiative in Louisville, KY, Lilly convened and facilitated collaborative action networks with university, community college, K-12, and community partners to advance and enhance systems coordination for improved student access and completion. Most recently she has served at Bellarmine University as the Assistant Vice President for Career Development and Strategic Partnerships where collaboration, partnership development, and student success were her primary focus. Lilly received her bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University, master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration from Indiana University, and doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University.
Associate Director
Stephanie Cheung, M.Ed.
Strategy Lead: Transfer
Originally from Toronto, Stephanie is a higher education and public sector professional dedicated to advancing student success through systems innovation and continuous improvement. As a policy analyst with the Ontario Public Service, she developed a province-wide program evaluation framework, led a core program assessment across six government sites, and advised on data collection initiatives. At York University, she has enhanced the student experience by refining clinical delivery models and spearheading cross-campus service integration. In her previous role as the Manager of Student Success & Stakeholder Engagement, Stephanie oversaw a portfolio comprising leadership development, peer mentoring, peer tutoring, orientation, health & wellness, and career exploration bolstering student resilience and belonging.
Guided by a person-centered and equity-minded approach, she is committed to empowering communities through knowledge mobilization and design thinking. Stephanie holds a BA in Criminology from Toronto Metropolitan University, an M.Ed. from York University, and a Project Management Certificate from the University of Toronto. She is an honored recipient of The Governor General of Canada’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
Associate Director
Arion Jett-Seals, MSSW
Strategy Lead: Student Basic Needs
Arion brings over 14 years of comprehensive experience in the field of education, specializing in crisis intervention, student support services, retention strategies, academic advising, and career development. Most recently, Arion served as the inaugural Basic Needs Program Coordinator at the University of Kentucky, where her focus centered on advocating for students and connecting them with resources to address basic needs deficits, thereby enhancing their retention and graduation rates. With a unique blend of social work expertise and educational insight, Arion has made impactful contributions across various educational settings, including K-12 schools, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, and the University of Kentucky, guiding students in overcoming non-academic barriers to success. Committed to the holistic well-being of individuals, Arion’s personal endeavors call her to empower others for personal growth, better wellness, and achievement. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Social Work from the University of Kentucky and a Master’s of Science in Social Work from the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville.
Associate Director
Ashley O’Neil
Strategy Lead: Gateway Course Success
Ashley O’Neil is the Associate Director of The Kentucky Student Success Collaborative, leading the Gateway Course Success Strategy to improve equity and innovation in education. With a Master’s in Public Health Sciences and a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science from the University of Louisville, she has over a decade of experience in higher education. A champion for inclusivity, Ashley is dedicated to fostering belonging, empowering underrepresented communities, and advancing equity through collaboration and innovation.
Research Fellow
Olivia Morris-Bush, M.Ed.
Olivia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Kentucky and a Master’s of Education from Vanderbilt University.
Senior Associate
Nan Harnice, MPA
Nan holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Louisville and a Bachelor of Science from Centre College. She serves in a supportive role for the KYSSC team in the areas of project and event management.
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