OUR TEAM
The Kentucky Student Success Collaborative Team
Helping drive The Kentucky Student Success Collaborative forward
Executive Director
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
Phyllis Clark, Ph. D.
A former orchestra teacher for the Jefferson County school district, Phyllis is celebrating 30 years in the education profession. At the University of Louisville, she served in various leadership roles for undergraduate admission diversity recruitment as well as student success and retention. As the Vice President for Student Affairs at Simmons College of Kentucky, she provided leadership in areas of institutional accreditation, admissions & enrollment and oversaw student support services. As a business owner and speaker, Phyllis is dedicated to fostering the metamorphosis of women and girls through mentoring, personal support, and collective accountability.
She received her Bachelor of Music degree (with emphasis on the violin) from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Master’s degree with emphasis in educational psychology & college student personnel from the University of Louisville and just earned her PhD from Bellarmine University in Leadership in Higher Education. Her research focuses on identifying, raising awareness, and eradicating barriers resulting from the impostor syndrome, a psychological pattern of irrational and negative thinking of self.
Senior Fellow, Student Basic Needs
Arion Jett-Seals
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.
Senior Fellow, Student Basic Needs
Jamie Oleka
Jamie Oleka, Senior Fellow of Student Basic Needs has extensive experience in K-12 and nonprofit management having most recently served as a Managing Director at Teach For America. Jamie holds a Masters of Education in Instructional Accommodations from Francis Marion University, Masters of Arts in Teaching, and Ed.S. in K-12 Administration from the University of Louisville.
Senior Associate, Kentucky Student Success Collaborative
Nan Harnice
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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