Staff

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 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 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.

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.