Staff

Kathy Rose

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.

>> View Bio
College Community Career

Aubriana Busby

Director of Operations

AuBriana Busby is a San Antonio native and graduate of The University of Oklahoma. While attending, she helped found OU Unheard, a social movement, in hopes of improving the student experience for Black students on campus. In support, the group received both the Angie Debo Award from The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and the Outstanding Human Rights Achievement Award from the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission. While at OU, she also found her passion for equity in education when she began with the Sooner Upward Bound program. Upon graduation, she has pursued other forms of advocacy for students of color.

AuBriana currently serves as Director of Operations for CollegeCommunityCareer (CCC), a nonprofit organization that fosters a college-going culture amongst high school students and their families. With CCC, AuBriana has worked to help low-income, first-generation high school students obtain admission to and graduation from a four-year university. She hopes that more students of color and from low-income backgrounds will see the value of higher education and the opportunities it presents. She hopes to create a society where students see themselves represented in different spaces that will enhance and better our communities. She brings experience with youth, a bilingual background and dedication to education. She is excited to begin the Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives (LINE) Program and grow her organization.

>> View Bio
Gladis Rodriguez

Gladis Rodriguez

College Success Advisor II

I am a recent graduate from The University of Texas at Austin. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. I committed myself to working in the nonprofit sector with a focus on education to serve underrepresented students and families and be able to provide guidance for them. I believe all students should have the opportunity to further their education, regardless of their income. Entering as an Americorps member in College Forward, the realization that not all students can have a smooth transition from high school to college because of their income and residential status. I plan to further my education and continue serving my community by pursuing my graduate studies in either School Counseling or Higher Education Policy. I will continue to provide beneficial services to all families and students in order to create a stronger foundation between their child's future, how to accomplish their educational goals, and how they play a vital role in their child's development..

>> View Bio