Staff

Marketea Abbott
Post-Secondary Transition Coach
Marketea Abbott is the Post-Secondary Transition Coach at Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars. Since joining the team in 2020, Marketea works to engage with students throughout the college enrollment process by providing outreach, coaching, and guidance based on each students unique post-secondary plans. Marketea assists in coordinating senior-focused programming and experiences like FAFSA workshops, financial literacy training, comparing aid award letters, and more. As the Post-Secondary Transition Coach Marketea walks alongside students through their first year of college by engaging them in FAFSA renewal challenges, check-ins, coffee meet ups and pop up celebrations. As a proud alumni of the Next Level Scholars program herself, she brings highly relatable, first-hand knowledge and experience into her role. Marketea holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Hope College in Holland, Michigan. While at Hope College Marketea began her own nonprofit program, EMMANUEL, working with youth in the child welfare system and partnered with Bethany Christian Services.

Christa Alessandri-Howley
Director of Communications & Development
Christa Alessandri-Howley is the Director of Communications & Development at Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars. Christa joined the team in 2022 and is responsible for fundraising, planning and executing fundraising events, as well as marketing and social media. Prior to joining Dollars for Scholars, Christa worked as a senior manager at a consulting firm and then as the executive director of an educational foundation. Christa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Communications as well as a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

Marissa D'Angelo
Next Level Scholars Program Manager
Marissa D’Angelo is the Next Level Scholars Program Manager at Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars. Marissa joined the team in 2019 to work alongside the Next Level Scholars Program Director in coordinating targeted experiences to support students as they prepare for life after high school. She is responsible for managing transportation logistics for events, creating event materials, and communicating with students, parents, advisers and other stakeholders. Prior to joining Dollars for Scholars, Marissa worked in higher education where she administered financial aid for students studying abroad, contributed to the First Generation Student Commission, and was a member of the Council for Non-Traditional Students. Marissa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Michigan State University.

Christa Funk
Executive Director
Christa Funk is the Executive Director of Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (DRDFS). Since Christa joined DRDFS in 2012 as the Academic Support Manager, she has expanded the college access program from 40 to over 350 students served annually, increased the organization’s high school partnerships by 70% and created a robust and holistic approach to how DRDFS prepares students for post-secondary success. Christa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language Arts and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, both from the University of Detroit Mercy. Christa is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and a National Officer and Character Lead Advocate for Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority.

Devon Hall
Post-Secondary Transition Coach
Devon Hall is the Post-Secondary Transition Coach for the Next Level Scholars Program Class of 2022. Devon joined the Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars team in January 2022. She is responsible for advising the Next Level Scholars Class of 2022 as they apply, decide and enroll in post-secondary education. Prior to joining Dollars for Scholars, Devon worked in higher education as an admissions representative for 5+ years. She also has experience in college advising and prides herself on being well versed in post-secondary transition process concerns, working with students as early as middle school across Metro Detroit. She serves on several community based education committees dedicated to college access for students who are first generation college going, from low socioeconomic families, and/or students of color. She is also a former “Rising Star Award” winner with MACAC and currently serves on the Executive Board as the Treasurer-Elect. Devon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication with a minor in Spanish from Saginaw Valley State University and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration.

Jill Marecki
Next Level Scholars Program Director
Jill Marecki is the Next Level Scholars Program Director at Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars. She is responsible for strategically planning all student programming and events for 10th through 12th grade students, as well as building strong partnerships and enhancing the organization’s data practices. Jill holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Kalamazoo College and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Oakland University. Since 2010, Jill has dedicated her career to education and college access in Detroit. In 2018, Jill was recognized as Detroit 2020 Person of the Week by WXYZ Detroit Channel 7 for starting a scholarship fund and college success program to help her former students enroll and persist in college.

Erin Talbot
Awards and Alumni Manager
Erin Talbot is the Awards and Alumni Manager at Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars. Erin joined the organization in 2017 as the Academic Support Coordinator, working to successfully execute the robust and holistic program Dollars for Scholars uses to prepare students for life after high school. Erin moved into the Awards and Alumni Manager role in 2018 with the goal to strategically engage program alumni throughout their post-secondary experiences and beyond. She has also navigated and implemented the organizations first donor-enhanced scholarship, manages over half a million dollars in program scholarships each year, and has restructured the awards policy to provide individualized attention to incentivize post-secondary completion. Erin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration from Grand Valley State University.

Robert Tscherniwetz
Operations Specialist
Robert Tscherniwetz is the Operations Specialist at Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars. Robert joined the organization in the fall of 2022 to work alongside the Executive Director and Next Level Scholars Program Director in assisting with a number of operational and administrative duties across the organization, including data collection and distribution, meeting and program preparation, record keeping as well as documentation of information at all board and committee meetings. Robert holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a focus in Public Relations from the Wayne State University, as well as an MBA with a focus on International Business, also from Wayne State University. Before joining DRDFS, Robert was a High School Math/Science Teacher at a college-prep Charter School in Houston, where he championed and supported students from underserved communities.

Grace Verhines
Executive Assistant

Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars is proud to partner with MCAN to work toward the shared goal of 60% college attainment by 2030.


Connect With Us
Contact Us
734-455-2849
Newsletter
Sign up to receive the latest news!