The Nellie Mae Education Foundation is proud to announce that it has recently hired four exceptional individuals:

Mary Sylvia Harrison has been appointed to be the organization's Vice President of Programs.

A highly-regarded advocate for the advancement of equity in education for the underserved, Mary brings rich experience and deep commitment to NMEF's mission. She previously served as President and Executive Director of The College Crusade of Rhode Island from 1994 to 2008. In that role, she led the design and implementation of academic and social support programs focused on increasing educational and career success for youth in Rhode Island's low-income communities, and advocated for expanded opportunities for pre-K-16 success. Mary also served on the Rhode Island Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education from 1994 to 1999 and represented The College Crusade as Core Partner with the Providence Public Schools in a Carnegie Corporation-funded High School Redesign initiative. Prior to joining The College Crusade, Mary served as the Executive Director of Times2, a non-profit organization that provided math and science enrichment programs for African American, Hispanic and Native American children in grades K-12, and that now operates as a charter school. Early in her career, Mary established the state's first shelter for runaway youth at the Rhode Island Department of Community Affairs. While at Opportunities Industrialization Center of Rhode Island, she directed the Women's Educational Equity Act Project, and led Rhode Island's participation in a national demonstration project for minority single parents living in poverty. At the Citizens Advocate Center in Washington, D.C., she established the first lobbying office for a Native American Nation. Mary serves on a number of boards, including those for the Paul Cuffee Charter School and The Met School. She earned a B.A. from Villanova University, and a J. D. from Antioch School of Law.

Charlie Toulmin has been appointed to be the organization's Director of Policy.

An accomplished policy professional, Charlie's leadership and policy interests are aimed at impacting key state policy levers to drive education reform for increased access to higher education for all students. He will join NMEF in September 2008 from his current role as Senior Policy Analyst with the Education Division of the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices. In this role, Charlie advises governors and their key policy staff on the development and implementation of innovative solutions to governance and public policy challenges. He also provides technical assistance on policy development and education to select states in order to improve school leadership, and serves as a co-lead on the NGA Center's work to provide governors with policy tools to improve K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education to prepare students for success in college and career. Prior to joining the NGA Center, Charlie held the position of Deputy Director of Charter Schools at the Massachusetts Department of Education Charter School Office where he worked with the both the Massachusetts Commissioner and State Board of Education in implementing the Massachusetts charter school initiative. He has served on the K-12 school finance staff for the Wisconsin Legislature working with state legislators to develop state aid policies and charter and school and voucher programs. While State Administrator of the Milwaukee Voucher Program for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Charlie managed the state's voucher program through its rapid expansion. He also worked in the University setting while a Senior Budget Analyst for Instructional Technology and Enrollment Management for the University of Wisconsin System Administration. Mr. Toulmin earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Master of Education from Harvard University and also holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan.

José Massó has joined the Nellie Mae Education Foundation in the capacity of Director of Communications.

José began his professional career in education as a bilingual teacher for the Boston Public Schools at the former Copley Square High School in 1973. His career has included prominent and groundbreaking positions in education, communications, politics, government, entertainment, and sports. José most recently served as the regional director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration New England Regional Office in Boston. He was appointed in 2002 by the former Governor of Puerto Rico, the honorable Sila M. Calderon, and reappointed in 2005 by the current Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá. Under his leadership the regional office advanced the well being of Puerto Ricans on the Island and on the mainland, advising Governor Acevedo Vilá, the Resident Commissioner in Washington D.C. and various constituents on all activities in the United States of interest to Puerto Rico. PRFAA also facilitated and promoted economic and public policy initiatives important to the growth and empowerment of all Puerto Rican communities. José is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Friends of Young Achievers Math & Science Pilot School and a member of the Board of Trustees at the Boston Arts Academy. He serves on a number of boards, including the Berklee College of Music Community Advisory Board; The Board of Advisors for the Emerging Leaders Program at UMASS/Boston, The Mauricio Gastón Board of Directors, and The Advisory Board of ¿Oíste? The Massachusetts Latino Political Organization. A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, he has produced and hosted the Latin music show "¡Con Salsa!" on WBUR 90.9FM for 33 years. He moved to Boston in 1973 after completing his studies at Antioch College with a B.A. in Secondary Education.

Delia Arellano-Weddleton has joined the Nellie Mae Education Foundation in the capacity of Program Officer.

Delia formally joins NMEF having served the Foundation since the fall of 2007 as a Fellow of the Associated Grant Makers Diversity Fellowship Program. Through her fellowship, Delia worked on advancing Foundation initiatives that improve educational opportunities for the underserved. With over 20 years of experience in not-for-profit organizations, Delia's career has been focused in social services and community outreach for marginalized populations. She previously led the Newcomers and Neighbors Center in Framingham, Massachusetts where she developed, implemented and managed a social service information and referral program supporting the needs of the town's extensive immigrant community. She served six years as a Bilingual Family Advocate with Head Start program dedicated to teaching families the importance of literacy and strengthening father/child relationships through a self-developed Father's programs. She began her social service career as a counselor with the Navy Family Services Center in Norfolk, Virginia overseeing counseling for Submariners and their families. Delia earned a Bachelor's in Sociology and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a committed volunteer who serves the Metro West Free Medical Program in Sudbury, Massachusetts as both a board member and overseer of the program's social service offerings.

The completion of a good search depends upon the participation and collaboration of good candidates and strong sources. On behalf of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, we want to thank you for your interest and assistance with this search.

Sincerely,