Our Commitment Runs Deep
The Dana Center team hails from diverse backgrounds—ranging from classroom instructors and curriculum specialists to operations and communications professionals. Dana Center staff bring to our work a rich collective expertise in classroom teaching, instructional leadership, education administration, curriculum development, and national leadership in organizations
While we may come from a range of backgrounds and bring a range of experiences, each day we show up with a common purpose: to support the equitable access of all students to an excellent math and science education.
Our team understands the challenges, issues, and opportunities facing our nation’s education systems. Many of our staff have served firsthand as instructors, instructional leaders, curriculum developers, and K-12 or higher education administrators. We bring a deep, research-based approach to our work, and we continually push ourselves to innovate.
It is this visionary spirit that led to the creation of the Dana Center by our Executive Director Uri Treisman—and it’s what inspires us each day.
Dana Center Leadership
Uri Treisman, Executive Director
Philip Uri Treisman is a University Distinguished Teaching Professor, professor of mathematics, and professor of public affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.
Uri Treisman BioElisha Smith Arrillaga, Incoming Managing Director
Elisha will work to enact the Center’s mission of ensuring that all students—particularly those who have traditionally been underserved—have equitable access to an excellent math and science education
Elisha Smith Arrillaga BioAmy Getz, Interim Director, K-12 Education Strategy, Policy, and Services
Amy leads both the strategic direction and partnerships necessary to create equity-driven, high-quality professional learning, instructional materials, and policy and advocacy at scale.
Amy Getz BioRichard Blount, Chief Operating Officer
Richard leads the business affairs and operational functions of the Center, including accounting, finance, human resources, informational technology, and administration.
RICHARD BLOUNT BIOAfi Y. Wiggins, Director, Evaluation and Research
As director of evaluation and research at the Center, Afi leads the development of comprehensive and coherent strategies for research and evaluation initiatives.
Afi Wiggins BioMary Ellen Isaacs, Literacy First Director
Mary Ellen is the director of Literacy First, dedicated to providing low-income schools with highly trained tutors to ensure that children advance to grade level in reading before third grade.
Mary Ellen Isaacs BioMeet Our Teams
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K-12 Team
Every day at the Dana Center, our K–12 team seeks to dismantle barriers to ensure all students have equitable access to education. That’s why we work at all levels of the K–12 education system, including classroom, school, district, state, and national.
Shelly LeDoux, Interim Manager, K-12 Services
Susan May, Interim Manager, Online Course Programs
Sara Spiegel, Manager, K-12 Education Strategy, Policy, and Services
Mary F. Davis, Professional Learning Facilitator, Mathematics, K-12 Services
Lindsay Fitzpatrick, Cross-Team Lead for Transition Initiatives, K-12 Services
Michael Greenlee, Professional Learning Facilitator, Mathematics, K-12 Services
Courtney Howard, Project Coordinator, K–12 Education Strategy, Policy, and Services
Rachel Jenkins, Senior Writer/Editor
Sherri Jones, Course Program Specialist, Secondary Mathematics
Anne Joyoprayitno, Course Program Specialist, Secondary Mathematics
Jacqueline M. LeJeune,Professional Learning Facilitator, Leadership, K–12 Services
Tracey Ramirez, Professional Learning Facilitator, Science, K-12 Services
Josh Recio, Course Program Specialist, Secondary Mathematics
Denise A. Thornton, Professional Learning Facilitator, Mathematics, K-12 Services
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Higher Education Team
The Dana Center’s Higher Education team works every day to reduce the barriers to higher education by creating more seamless transitions from high school to—and through—gateway mathematics courses at two- and four-year institutions. This includes work across our Dana Center Mathematics Pathways initiative, support and professional learning services, policy development, and curricular resources.
Erica Moreno, Manager, Project Coordination and Operations, Higher Education Services
Connie Richardson, Manager, Higher Education Course Programs
Paula Talley, Manager, Professional Learning for Higher Education
Lisa Brown, Professional Learning Specialist, Higher Education Services
Ting-Ting Chen, Project Coordinator, Higher Education Services
Ophella Dano, Senior Writer/Editor
Carl Krueger, Senior Policy Analyst, Higher Education Services
Jeremy R. Martin, Senior Policy Analyst, Higher Education Services
Ken Martin, Program Coordinator, Higher Education Services
Oren L. McClain , Systems Implementation Specialist, Higher Education Services
Heather R. Ortiz, State Implementation Specialist, Higher Education Services
Frank Savina, Course Program Specialist, Mathematics, Higher Education Services
Joan M. Zoellner, Course Program Specialist, Mathematics, Higher Education
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Evaluation Team
The Dana Center works with our nation’s education systems to transform structures and teaching practices to improve student achievement—especially those who are traditionally underserved and underrepresented. By continually evaluating our work, we can ensure that the right tools, processes, and strategies are in place to achieve our goals.
Afi Y. Wiggins, Director of Program Evaluation and Research
Carol Pazera, Senior Research Analyst
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Operations Team
The Dana Center's Operations Team provides critical administrative support, accounting services, and technology resource management to the organization.
Richard Blount, Chief Operating Officer
Megan Cantu, Accountant II
Steve Engler, Senior Writer/Editor
Cynthia Flores, Team Lead, Finance
Bryan Kennel, Team Lead, Technology
Jacqueline King, Administrative Associate
Alison Kothe, Communications Coordinator
Despina Lambros, Accountant II
Laura Maldonado, Administrative Associate
Margaret McCook, Electronic Publications Specialist
Rachele Seifert, Administrative Associate
Lilly Soto, Senior Administrative Associate
Alisha Thompson, Grants and Contracts Coordinator
Sarah Wenzel, Administrative Associate
Melanie Zepp, Human Resources Coordinator
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Literacy First Team
Literacy First is an early childhood literacy program, providing low-income schools with highly trained tutors to ensure that children advance to grade level in reading before third grade.
Mary Ellen Isaacs, Literacy First Director
Rachel Mallernee, Associate Director of Development
Gabriela Garcia-De Avila, Americorps Operation Manager
Jason Buckingham, Senior Program Coordinator
Sarah Lowery, Development Specialist
Logan Marconette, Recruitment and Outreach Coodinator
Monica Ortiz, Bilingual Program CoordinatorAnique Reese, Senior Program Coordinator
Sebastian Wren, Senior Program Coordinator
Get In Touch
We collaborate with state districts and teachers to develop innovative curricular, resources, and professional development.