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Dr. Marcus Martin was appointed President and CEO of Education is Freedom in August of 2007. Prior to joining Education is Freedom, Dr. Martin served as Director of the J. McDonald Williams Institute. Dr. Martin also has an academic appointment as a faculty member in the School of Public Health at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Martin is an accomplished scholar whose research interests are in the areas of social stratification, social epidemiology, and evaluation research. Dr. Martin, a first generation college graduate, received his bachelor’s degree in education and his master’s degree in criminal justice from Northeast Louisiana University, followed by his PhD in applied statistics and urban sociology from Howard University, and then a Master of Public Health degree with concentrations in epidemiology and community health from the University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health.
Marti Howe was recently promoted from VP of Development to Executive Vice President at Education is Freedom. As VP of Development for Education is Freedom, Marti more than doubled annual corporate support for the national scholarship and local pilot programs raising over $11 million. With more than fourteen years experience in fundraising, sales, and marketing, Marti has demonstrated remarkable skills in matching corporate needs to philanthropic goals. As Director of Corporate Sponsorships for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra she generated $22 million in corporate sponsorships and was recognized by the American Symphony Orchestra League for developing the best corporate sponsorship program in the United States. Marti has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree from Stephens College.
Dr. Danielle Lavin Loucks is the Director of Strategic Planning and Evaluation for Education Is Freedom. Prior to joining Education is Freedom, Dr. Lavin-Loucks served as the Associate Director of the J. McDonald Williams Institute. Dr. Lavin-Loucks also holds an academic appointment as a clinical faculty member in the Criminology program at the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Lavin-Loucks specializes in qualitative methodology, including evaluation research, conversation analysis, ethnography, in-depth interviewing and focus groups. Dr. Lavin-Loucks has published in American Sociological Review, Standardization and Tacit Knowledge: Interaction and Practice in the Survey Interview and the Encyclopedia of Social Measurement. She is a member of the American Sociological Association, the American Society of Criminology, and the Midwest Sociological Society. Dr. Lavin-Loucks received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and her Ph.D. in Sociology (with a minor in Criminology) from Indiana University- Bloomington.
As project manager for Education is Freedom, Nicole Farrar oversees cash flow, budgets, and financial forecasts, grant submissions, and marketing programs. Nicole has a background of 7 years in accounting. In addition to keeping up with EIF’s budget, she also manages the national scholarship program and coordinates projects to support the Dallas Model. Nicole has a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Indiana University Bloomington and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education from the University of Toledo, Tiffany Gurley-Alloway brings a wealth of experience and skill to her position as the program director for EIF Dallas. Prior to her current position, she served as a 5th grade math teacher, a university recruitment specialist, and the undergraduate admissions coordinator for a large, public university with over 20,000 students. Her background demonstrates her proficiency in project management, as well as her expertise in research and public policy, and program development. Mrs. Gurley-Alloway will receive her Ph.D. in Public Administration in May of 2009 from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Rebecca, a Master’s of Social Work student, began her work with EIF as a graduate intern. She worked closely with students at W. H. Adamson high school, and was recently hired as a full-time program analyst where she continues to work with both students and advisors to improve EIF’s program. She is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. During her time at UNT, Rebecca worked specifically with abused youth; she developed an educational program that is utilized by community agencies, churches, and Denton County’s school districts. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (Denton County Chapter), and will complete her graduate degree in May 2008.
Specializing in work with the Spanish-speaking population, Maria Montes has more than twenty years experience in managing volunteers and helping adolescents set personal goals, develop their skills, and build brighter futures. From an early career in the social work and the healthcare industry, Maria has spent the past three years working in the Dallas public school system building bridges between students and the broader community.
Having recently completed a master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington, Adam has myriad experience working with teenagers including work with foster children and inner city youth. His involvement in mentoring has equipped him to provide strong personal and academic support to students of all backgrounds. Adam is a graduate of Jackson State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in communications. In his free time, Adam works for the Arlington Life Shelter where he manages and assists a case load of homeless clients.
A recent graduate of Baylor University with a B. S. in Biology, Daniel Cruz is a living example of what Education is Freedom hopes to accomplish. Daniel is a first generation American and the first in his family to graduate from college. Throughout his educational career he has worked to help others succeed through volunteer activities with the Hispanic Student Association, Alpha Phi Omega, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and other organizations. Fluent in Spanish as well as English, he relates well to students in Education is Freedom's target population at W. H. Adamson High School. Daniel has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at
Arlington.
Bridgette has two degrees from Florida A&M University: a BS in Biology/Pre-Medicine, and a Master’s of Public Health in Epidemiology. With 6 years experience dealing with financial aid offices, Bridgette is well-equipped to handle myriad scholarship and financial aid situations with EIF students. She is a former mentor for Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity and Excellence (SSTRIDE), where she worked with middle school students on career development and study skills. Bridgette has worked for The J. McDonald Williams Institute, Baylor Health Care Systems, and the Florida Department of Health. Some of her projects have included developing community health profiles, developing searchable databases for best practices, aiding in strategic planning and performance improvement processes. Her position as Scholarship Coordinator combines her first-han college aid experience with her research skills and mentoring background.
Nada Naser started with Education is Freedom the beginning of 2007. She is a recent graduate from the University of Texas at Arlington. She graduated from the College of Liberal Arts and received her bachelor’s degree in Business Communications. At Education is Freedom , Nada works side by side with the management team and the Dallas Model Program Team with all aspects of the corporation. She works with students, as well as board members. She responds to scholarship inquires, schedules staff appointments, and also helps with budgeting.
Stephanie Jensen graduated from Southern Methodist University’s Meadow’s School of the Arts. Stephanie studied playwriting and earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre studies. Also at SMU, Stephanie helped pioneer both the outdoor adventures program and the rock climbing center. She was the recipient of the 2006 John and Claire Rosenfield Award for playwriting and the Dorothy Amman Award for service to the University. She has been employed by EIF since April 2007 in various positions both in the program and, most recently, in development.
Marjorie Johnson graduated with honors from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a minor in Business Administration in May of 2006. Prior to joining the Education is Freedom staff in May of 2008, Marjorie worked for CIGNA Healthcare doing marketing and sales support. As a Communications Liaison, Marjorie supports the CEO with documents and correspondence management, research management, board development, and meeting and appointment coordination.
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