Apply For COABE's Prestigious 2026 State Advocates for Adult Education Fellowship
The sixth cohort of COABE’s State Advocates for Adult Education Fellowship (SAAEF) began in January 2026 with remote orientation, and will receive hands-on training at the 2026 COABE Conference. The initial SAAEF launched in March 2021, when COABE selected activists and leaders to champion the cause of adult education WIOA Title II programs. The State Advocates for Adult Education Fellowship (SAAEF) is a hands-on advocacy training program for adult educators, adult learners, and friends of adult education. During the yearlong program, fellows join an impactful and engaging community of practice where they will learn how to work with the media, their communities, and policymakers to create change benefiting adult learners and adult education programs.
Congratulations to the Fellows that have been selected for the 2026 State Advocate for Adult Education Fellowship!
Alabama
Ashley Johnson, The Pivot Path
Arizona
Wendy Scheder Black, Pima Community College
California
Nancy Herrera Santacruz, Los Angeles Unified School District
Connecticut
Michelle Bonora, New Haven Adult Education
District of Columbia
Alma Gabriela Salado, Briya Public Charter School
Georgia
Jennifer Martinez, Georgia State University
Idaho
Holly Bazarski, College of Western Idaho
Indiana
Adrienne Carrol, NEO Adult Education & Training
Kansas
Rachel Ohmes, Manhattan Area Technical College
Kenya
Joseph Agina, Olkejuado Adult and Continuing Education Association
Maine
Shelli Pride, RSU 16 Adult Education
Massachusetts
Jude Chignola, Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center
Minnesota
Jane Weiner, Metro North Adult Basic Education
Missouri
Barbara Rieder, MAACCE
Nebraska
Melinda Clavell, Metropolitan Community College
New Hampshire
Kaitlyn Salome, Laconia Adult Education
New Mexico
Desirea Deandra Martinez
North Carolina
Jennifer Mock, College and Career Readiness at Alamance Community College
Ohio
Sara Betts, UC Aspire
Oregon
Svetlana Karpe, Mt. Hood Community College
Rhode Island
Audrey Hughes Paasewe, The Genesis Center
South Dakota
Natalie Lacey, Lutheran Social Services Center for New Americans
Texas
Kelli Rhodes, Restore Education
Vermont
Tara Brooks, Vermont Adult Learning
Washington
Rahmatullah Sultani, Highline College
Wisonsin
Robyn Hallet, Wisconsin Literacy, Inc.
Alaska
Lisa Burkhart, Kenai Peninsula College
Arkansas
Robbie Cornelius, Fayetteville Adult Career Training
Colorado
Amanda Thomas, Adams County Detention Facility
Delaware
Tamika Jacobs, Organization of Adult Alumni & Students in Service
Florida
Ariel Pechokas, Collier County Public Schools Adult Workforce Education
Hawaii
Linda Fehoko, C2C Workforce and Literacy Center
Illinois
Tibisay Ocando, School District U-46
Iowa
Megan Linzy-Johnson, ConnectAble
Kentucky
Steven Schreck, Newport Adult Education | KYAE
Louisiana
LaMoyne Williams, Empower 225
Maryland
Tanja Murphy, MD Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Michigan
Heather Algrim, Eaton RESA Adult Education
Mississippi
Thalia Jacquita Smith, Jones College
Montana
Jesse Sauskojus, Billings Adult and Community Education
Nevada
Andrea Kelly, Humboldt County School District
New Jersey
Cristhian Barcelos, LVA, Essex & Passaic Counties
New York
Michelle Stockwell, Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES
North Dakota
Jennifer Frueh, Fargo Adult Learning Center
Oklahoma
Sally Linhart, Oklahoma City Community College
Pennsylvania
Terra Teets, Literacy Pittsburgh
South Carolina
Sophie Manigo Fuller, GCS: Lifelong Learning
Tennessee
Valarie Matthews, HopeWorks
Utah
Mark Mataya, Entrada Adult High School
Virginia
Joyce Clement Jackson, Chesterfield County Public Schools, Adult Education
West Virginia
Jared Bailey, Summers County Adult Education
Wyoming
Michelle Schutten, Western Wyoming Community College
Coming Up!
4/12/26: COABE Fellowship Session at the COABE Conference at 12:30 pm Eastern
Please email info@coabe.org with any questions.