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Our Team
Professional Staff
Karena Malko
Assistant Director
Karena Malko started working for the NACRC in April 2022, previously working for the Health Promotion Department at NAU. Karena is a graduate of Columbia University, where she majored in African American Studies with a minor in Elementary Education. She pursued a Master of Science from the International Institute of Restorative Practices, graduating with a degree in Youth Counseling. While working for Arizona State University, Karena led a grant-funded initiative focused on implementing Motivational Interviewing across various Student Affairs departments. She has also worked with Access, ASU, helping increase post-secondary enrollment rates for Black, Latino, and low-income students in the Mesa school district. Originally from the NYC/NJ area Karena loves exploring Arizona with her designer mutt, Max.
Ali Tenney
Student Development Coordinator, CKG Coordinator
Ali Tenney comes from a long line of Arizona educators and is excited to join the Education Forward and College Knowing and Going team as the Student Development Coordinator at NAU. Her professional career began as a social studies teacher in Gilbert and Payson, where she led professional learning communities and fostered positive relationships. More recently, she’s been a program manager establishing the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona’s Pathways Program for Single Moms in Flagstaff. She is excited about this opportunity to utilize her passion for community and education with College Knowing and Going. Outside of work, she enjoys reading fantasy books, playing and watching soccer, and volunteering with local youth.
Megan Roach
Career Development Coordinator, Sr
Megan Roach recently joined the NACRC as a Career Development Coordinator. She looks forward to continuing her career in education and helping students find a path to success after high school. Megan was awarded the 2021 Athena Young Professional Award as an emerging woman leader in the Flagstaff community. Graduating from NAU with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology, Megan is proud to be an NAU alum. In her free time, Megan embarks on outdoor adventures such as backpacking, mountaineering, and hikes with her dog.
Student Workers
Ethan Berger
Americorps Student Worker
Coming from near Southern Arizona, Ethan recently earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology in addition to research wile working at the Northern Arizona College Resource Center (NACRC). After gaining experience from two managerial positions at summer camps designed for first-generation college students, he has returned to NACRC as he pursues his master’s degree in Sociology. In his free time Ethan enjoys creative writing.
Emma Lynch
Setup Youth for Success Student Worker
Emma Lynch is currently a student at Northern Arizona University studying International Affairs with minors in Spanish and Photography. She is passionate about helping students achieve a higher education, whatever that may look like for them. She uses her previous knowledge as a student advisor for the Earn to Learn scholarship program to help students explore career and college options under Setup Youth For Success. In her free time, Emma enjoys baking, ice skating, and traveling.
Aleisha Cota
Americorps Student Worker
From San Luis, Arizona, Aleisha has been majoring in English with an Emphasis in Creative Writing. She is a first generation student, with deep knowledge about the college going process with prior jobs such as a Get Involved Ambassador, Peer mentor, alongside now working at Northern Arizona College Resource Center (NACRC). In her free time she enjoys writing, reading, working out and spending time with her love ones.
Isaiah Acevedo
NAU Student Worker
Isaiah comes from Southern California and is currently completing his bachelor’s degree in Psychology while serving as a college access mentor for the Northern Arizona College Resource Center (NACRC). Isaiah has had the opportunity to work at several summer camps and has been fortunate enough to lead various teaching experiences throughout his undergraduate career. He leads the NAU Writer’s Club as co-president and is often with book in hand as he enjoys crafting lesson plans and staying up to date with good literature.
