Staff

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Kathy Rose

Executive Director

Kathy has a Bachelor of Science in math and Spanish education from Texas A&M University, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in college counseling from UCLA Extension. She is a professional member of IECA and has attended the College Board Summer Institute at Harvard. Kathy began her career as a mathematics teacher at Spring Branch High School in Spring Branch ISD and went on to become a computer programmer and later a trainer with Chevron. Next she served as a development officer with the University of Houston Sugar Land and then became a major gifts officer with U of H. Kathy was the founding Houston director of College Forward and successfully launched the program into four high schools in east Harris County.

Kathy founded CollegeCommunityCareer in 2012 to focus on low-income, first-generation students on the west side of the greater Houston area. She envisioned the organization expanding to reach the burgeoning underserved populations in public high schools. She is a former board member of the Fort Bend Education Foundation, board of trustees member for the International School of Aberdeen (Scotland), and board of directors member of the American International School in Lagos, Nigeria, and St. Agnes Academy in Houston. Kathy received a Jefferson Award in 2016.

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Jennifer Lopez

Director of Marketing & Events

Jennifer Lopez is a native from Chicago, Illinois and was raised in Houston, TX where she is a graduate of the University of Houston- Main Campus with a Bachelor’s in Art and a minor in Advertising. While she was attending UH- Main Campus she participated in the American Advertising Federation (AAF) where she excell her knowledge in the advertising world, network with brands, agencies, media companies, and learned the insights of TV advertising media and digital advertising media. Ms. Lopez also competed and was selected for the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Women’s, Gender & Sexuality program where only seven artist students were selected to have their art display at the University of Houston- Main Campus. Jennifer was selected four times for her digital art to be displayed at the Bi-annual Show and three times to be displayed at the Blaffer Art Museum- Virtual.
After graduating, she continued her internship with BSM Magazine, Jennifer at BSM to craft ensure their BSM Magazine gain a foothold on social media. With Jennifer’s expertise organized the piece that launched the brand with, actor Holly Robison Peete. The Instagram post was reposted 1.2M impressions. , Jennifer work with SheSpace as a brand manager for CEO Alicia's boutique and podcast, “Vibes by Alicia.” While working for the podcast , she also partook in one of the episodes, “Bonus Episode- Mix Family and Business? The Right Mix of Chaos and Love.” Jennifer with her knowledge in social marketing strategy, identifying, and targeting audiences boosted sales and brand awareness for the company. At the same time she joined Idioma Mujer where she continues her knowledge as their Marketing Director where she has had the opportunity to network with Univision and Children at Risk.
All of the above reinforces Jennifer’s ability to craft, plan, strategize, mix creativity and marketing to excel her vision and achieve the company's goals.
Jennifer is one of the first college graduates of the CollegeCommunityCareer program and excite to be back working with the organization.

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Tomas Tobar

College Operations and Outreach Director

Tomas Tobar graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration, majored in Business and minored in Philosophy, Honor Society in English and Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas. He has a diverse professional experience; from working at the Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce having had the opportunity to co-lead TEACH fellowship students abroad, to working in the hospitality arena which allowed him to work with many different skillsets and cultures.

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Elizabeth Escobar

High School Manager

I was in the CCC program during 10th grade all the way up to my college graduation. As a first-generation student, I graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor's of Science in Health and a Spanish Minor. Throughout high school and college, I have also worked with the program helping students who were once in my position get through the college application process. I have a passion for travel, reading, crocheting, and any arts and craft project I can do or learn.

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Jassive Esquivel

College Connect Manager

Jass Esquivel is a dedicated College Access and Success Advisor with extensive experience in secondary and higher education. She specializes in supporting students with post-secondary access and helping them achieve their academic and career goals. Jass holds a degree in English Literature with a minor in Psychology from the University of Houston, where her passion for education and student success began. She has since worked in education for 9 years with an emphasis in College and Career Access for 5 years. She was previously an academic advisor at the University of Houston.

In her free time, Jass enjoys traveling, exploring different museums, spending time at the gym, visiting local coffee shops, and spending time with her fur baby and family.

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Hope Dennis

College Success Advisor

Hope Dennis is a graduate from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Liberal Arts with a focus in Race, Gender, and Ethnicity and a double minor in Sociology and Performance Studies. She is passionate about the importance of pursuing further education because she has seen how much of a difference a Bachelor's degree can make. Her goal is to spread this message to as many students as possible!

Hope has a passion for all things performance - dancing, acting and singing (especially musical theatre). In her free time, she likes to learn choreography, discover new musicals, or work on her jigsaw puzzles. She has recently discovered the beautiful and enriching life in traveling and wants to explore the entire world!

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Bethany Coile Skinner

College Success Coordinator

Bethany is originally from a small town called Happy, TX. She attended Texas A&M University, where she majored in English, minored in Psychology and Art History, and earned a Technical Writing Certificate. She has advising experience with Advise TX and the University of Houston. She is passionate about helping others reach their goals and supporting students in their success. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her pets and husband, going for long walks, and reading.

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