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.

Elijah Daniel

Alumni Support Coach

Elijah Daniel is serving as our first ever AmeriCorps VISTA Service Member as an Alumni Support Coach for the summer of 2022. He works alongside post-secondary coaches to engage with DRDFS alumni, primarily the Class of 2020. Elijah assists our alumni with enrollment, re-enrollment, and general support needed in life after high school. Elijah works to provide alumni with resources like developing career plans beyond post-secondary education, FAFSA completion, and other support through 1:1 coaching. As a proud alumni of the Next Level Scholars program Class of 2020, Elijah brings a unique set of skills and experience to the role. Currently, Elijah is a junior at Michigan State University, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication.

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.

Nadia Shelton

Operations Specialist

Nadia Shelton is the Operations Specialist at Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars. Nadia joined the organization in the fall of 2021 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. Nadia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a focus in Public Relations and a minor in Peace and Justice Studies from the University of Toledo. Before joining DRDFS, Nadia was an active member of her college community having involvement in over 10 student organizations, including Cozy Chatz, a kidney disease service-based organization which she founded in 2020, The National Pan-Hellenic Council, in which she served as president and led the effort to get physical plots on campus, and is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

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.

Grace Verhines

Executive Assistant

Grace Verhines is the Executive Assistant at Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars. Grace joined Dollars for Scholars in 2016, primarily maintaining records, bookkeeping, and assisting the staff with events and communication. By creating and implementing both financial and record keeping processes, Grace has increased the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness. Grace has worked in office and project management for 6 years, primarily in construction and medical offices. Grace holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute.