THE AZ GEAR UP TEAM
Arizona GEAR UP is administered from the State GEAR UP Office at the Northern Arizona University (NAU) North Valley campus in Phoenix. A small team of dedicated college-access professionals work in collaboration with partner organizations and the principal investigators to create an Arizona where all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, attain the postsecondary education necessary to lead rewarding, productive lives. Read more about the NAU GEAR UP team below.Daniel L. Kain, Ph.D., Co-Principal Investigator Accordion Closed
Daniel L. Kain, Ph.D. Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Daniel Kain is a professor in the College of Education at Northern Arizona University and Co-Principal Investigator (PI) for Arizona GEAR UP 2019-26. His role spans three grant cycles and more than a decade. In addition to overall project oversight, Dr. Kain brings to GEAR UP his expertise in curriculum and research-based instructional strategies and in middle school professional development with a specialty in problem-based learning. He also served as Principal Investigator on the 2010-12 research study of the Arizona GEAR UP intervention, academic mentoring. Dr. Kain is the former Dean of the College of Education and former Provost at Northern Arizona University. Daniel.Kain@nau.edu (928) 523-2230Ramona Mellott, Ph.D., Co-Principal Investigator Accordion Closed
Ramona Netto Mellott, Ph.D. Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Ramona Mellott is the Dean of the College of Education and Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) for Arizona GEAR UP 2019-26. In addition to overall GEAR UP project oversight, Dr. Mellott is an active leader at the national level in discussions of professional science master’s programs and their impact on both students and regional workforce development. Dr. Mellott joined NAU in 1991, beginning her career as a professor in the Educational Psychology Department in the College of Education, eventually becoming Chair of the Department. She was also the Dean of the NAU Graduate College from 2007 to 2014. She is a licensed psychologist who serves on the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners. Her teaching and research expertise and interests include assessment, diagnostics, and research ethics. COE-Dean@nau.edu (928) 523-7139Robert Neese, Executive Director Accordion Closed
Robert Neese Executive Director Robert Neese brings more than two decades of leadership, executive-level administration, and management experience in government, non-profit, and education environments to Arizona GEAR UP as the Executive Director. Robert oversees all programming, administrative, and fiscal requirements of the project. He creates and expands partnerships to meet grant objectives as he represents Arizona GEAR UP to all constituents. Robert’s team-building, results-driven style, “Practitioner-Researcher” collaborative partnerships, and comprehensive experience with federal government grants bring a level of expertise to Arizona GEAR UP that will increase preparation, access and retention for students to succeed in postsecondary education. Robert earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work from Arizona State University. Robert.Neese@nau.edu (602) 776-4621
Andrea González Sotelo, Associate Director Accordion Closed
Andrea González Sotelo Associate Director Andrea González Sotelo joined the state GEAR UP team in 2015. Early on, Andrea focused her career in promoting college-readiness and access among underrepresented populations. Andrea assists the Executive Director in leading the overall activities of Arizona GEAR UP and the State GEAR UP Office, overseeing all programmatic efforts, and evaluation infrastructure. Duties encompass leading partnerships with GU5E schools, the priority senior-year initiative, and the middle-grade initiatives; supervision of data collection, management, and analyses; and federal reporting. She is also certified Facilitator for Arizona’s on-line College Access Professionals (CAP) Training. Prior to joining NAU, Andrea worked in college access programs at Arizona State University, and at The University of Arizona in Tucson with the six-year GEAR UP Partnership Grant awarded to that institution in 2005. She received her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University, and her bachelor’s degree in Family Studies and Human Development from the University of Arizona.
Andrea.Gonzalez@nau.edu (602) 728-9522Andy Buckler, Fiscal Operations Manager Accordion Closed
Andy Buckler Fiscal Operations Manager Andy Buckler joined Arizona GEAR UP in 2020 and oversees all finance, budget and accounting sections of the grant. He brings years of experience in similar roles in both public and private sectors. Before coming to Arizona GEAR UP, Andy managed hundreds of millions annually in appropriated and non-appropriated funds that included federal, state, and non-government grants. He earned a master’s degree in finance from Indiana University, Bloomington Kelley School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Drake University. Andy.Buckler@nau.edu (602) 776-4635
Yesta Ealy, Schools Project Director Accordion Closed
Yesta Ealy Schools Project Director Yesta joined the GEAR UP team in January 2020 as Schools Project Director. Yesta provides support and guidance to the 5E school partners on how to successfully execute their yearly work plans and to achieve federal objectives set out in the grant. Prior to moving to Arizona for this position, Yesta worked in the Colorado educational landscape for more than 23 years. Throughout her career, Yesta has focused on working with underserved and underrepresented students ranging from elementary school to college. She brings extensive experience from her roles as school administrator and network leadership as well as the Federal Trio programs at the college level. Yesta earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Social Science from the University of Colorado. Yesta.Ealy@nau.edu (602) 776-4632
Melissa Fast, Communications Officer Accordion Closed
Melissa Fast Communications Officer Melissa joined Arizona GEAR UP in 2020 to lead communications strategy. With more than 25 years of public relations, marketing, and writing experience in the non-profit sector, her passions have always led her toward mission-driven work. She brings a strategic communications lens to the Arizona GEAR UP team as she supports and engages school and community partners on the mission to ensure all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, attain the postsecondary education they deserve. Melissa earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing. Melissa.Fast@nau.edu (602) 728-9503Ann Connelly, Program Manager of Middle-Grade Services Accordion Closed
Ann Connelly Program Manager of Middle-Grade Services Ann brings more than 20 years of experience in education and college access to Arizona GEAR UP. She has worked for Arizona GEAR UP in several capacities, including Site Coordinator for four years, the EXPLORE Manager for four years, and Program Manager of Middle-Grade Services. In her current role, Ann facilitates on-line College Access Professional (CAP) classes. Previously, she worked as a high school counselor at a GEAR UP high school. Ann earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Colorado State University and a M.Ed. in School Counseling from Northern Arizona University. Ann formerly served as State Coordinator for CAP Training in Arizona and works in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Education to increase the use and usefulness of AzCIS Junior in Arizona’s middle schools. Ann.Connelly@nau.edu (602)776-9526Daniel Pulu, Program Manager of Senior Year Services Accordion Closed
Daniel Pulu Program Manager of Senior Year Services Daniel came to Arizona GEAR UP by way of Alaska in March 2020 as the Program Manager of Senior Year Services. He brings a wealth of experience in helping underserved students achieve postsecondary success. His roles included supervising day-to-day operations for a success center in Alaska, counseling students regarding college access, and assisting clients during the college admission process. Daniel also brings 10 years of experience working with diverse populations. Daniel earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Wayland Baptist University and a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Daniel.Pulu@nau.edu (602) 728-9523
Kitty Hager, Data Input Operator, Senior Accordion Closed
Kitty Hager Data Input Operator, Senior Kitty Hager joined the GEAR UP team in 2012. As Data Input Operator, she processes a variety of data associated with a large-scale college access program and produces reports that support program implementation and continuous improvement. Kitty also trains others on the use of the GEAR UP database for data entry and reporting purposes, and she helps develop forms and procedures that promote accurate, complete, and timely data collection and management. Mary.Hager@nau.edu (602)728-9503
Brooke Adams, Administrative Associate Accordion Closed
Brooke Adams Administrative Associate Brooke Adams joined Arizona GEAR UP in 2017. Brooke received her Bachelor’s Degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Management of Technical Operations. She comes to us from Prescott AZ, where she worked as the Academic Coordinator in another College Access Program--TRiO’s Upward Bound and Math Science Regional Center. She is also a wife and mother of three amazing children. Brooke.Adams@nau.edu (602)776-4616