WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS - Key Persons
Christina Asare-Konadu (she/her) has a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Social Work from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, and a Master of Social Sciences (comparative studies in Social Work) from Nord University in Norway. She worked as a teaching assistant after the completion of her undergraduate studies. Her previous work includes working for international nonprofits across Europe and Africa, which has given her an eye for inclusivity, understanding multiple perspectives on social issues, racial equity, oppression, and an assertiveness for cultural competence and humility. She has also worked as a Youth Counsellor and has her own nonprofit organization in Ghana helping young teen mothers and their children find the resources for a better life.
Christina is currently an MSW candidate (mental health concentration) at Washington University's Brown School of Social Work. She is interested in the mental health services field of social work serving families, youth, and children. Since she is a first-generation college student who enjoys sharing her expertise and experience with people are who are yet to enter college for the first time. In her free time, she enjoys watching sitcoms, hiking, pilates, and long walks.
Job Titles:
- Fellow from Vizag
- Graduate Fellow
Girish Kumar Vanapalli is a graduate fellow from Vizag, India. He has completed his bachelor's in Dental Surgery from KLE university, Belgaum, India. He has worked as a dental surgeon for 4 years before coming to Washington University in St. Louis to pursue a Master's in Public Health (MPH) in epidemiology and biostatistics from the Brown School. His previous works were focused on oral health screening, head and neck cancer with a special focus on oral and oropharyngeal cancer of marginalised populations and disadvantaged sectors in Karnataka, India.
He worked alongside the National Service Scheme (NSS) in conducting health camps in rural villages, Hostelling international, UK, and other voluntary organisations to raise awareness among disadvantaged sectors. His current focus of study is on of improving health access and increase awareness among people about most common and preventable infectious diseases which are common among low- and middle-income countries.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
Graduate Fellows play a vital role in developing and enriching the overall College Prep community and are responsible for carrying out a variety of academic, social, and enrichment programming in addition to supervising program assistants and the cohorts.
Jayla is a sophomore at WashU, planning on double majoring in American Culture Studies and Film and Media Studies. Jayla spends her free time roller skating, watching movies, reading, finding new music, and playing Rock Band. Jayla is excited to be to be back on campus with the College Prep Program and some of her fellow members of Cohort 4. She hopes to make this summer as fun and memorable for current scholars as her time in the program was!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Board Member of Brownpreneurs
- Manager, Communications and Training
Jenisha McDonald joined the College Prep Program in June 2023 as the Program Coordinator overseeing Recruitment & Events Management. She plans all internal and external events in this role and supports marketing and communications efforts. Jenisha will also play an integral role in planning and staffing the summer academy held annually during the summer and lead the annual recruitment, evaluation, and selection process for new scholars.
Jenisha is an inaugural board member of Brownpreneurs. This local non-profit provides entrepreneurial training for brown high school and college students in Greater St. Louis. While serving on Brownpreneurs board, she has assisted in rolling out programming, promoting the organization, and facilitating workshops.
Jenisha was born and raised in Florissant, MO, and attended school K-12 in the Hazelwood School District. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. As an undergrad, Jenisha joined the Arts and Education Council as the Katherine Dunham Fellow in 2019. During that time, Jenisha worked with and observed each department: grants and programs, marketing, funding and development, operations, and accounting to see firsthand how a successful non-profit operates. The experience solidified her decision to work in the non-profit area and dedicated herself to serving others.
Jenisha looks forward to working with our scholars and their families to provide them with the tools and resources to thrive and develop academically and personally!
Mason is a sophomore from St. Louis studying Political Science and English. He is a Questbridge Scholar and a College Prep Alumni Scholar from Cohort 6. In his free time, he enjoys volunteering by coaching kids' basketball, mentoring first-year students, reading, watching movies/TV shows, exploring new areas, and traveling. Upon completing his bachelor's degree, he aspires to attend law school and practice in the St. Louis region. Mason is looking forward to working with scholars again and being able to give back to the community that has given so much to him.
Matthew is a sophomore at WashU, and he is planning to study Mathematics and Physics with a possible minor in Economics. He is from northern Illinois and attended high school at Wayland Academy in Wisconsin. Matthew is a member of the WashU eSports and Gaming Hearthstone team, and he enjoys practicing with the team and playing electric guitar in his free time. He is excited to be involved with the program and to get to know the scholars this summer.
Melody Rachel Konadu Frempong is a Ghanaian who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work with Sociology from the University of Ghana. After graduation, she worked as a Teaching and Research Assistant in the Department of Social Work at the University of Ghana. Melody has also worked as a Project Coordinator and has mentored young school children for the STL Amandi Foundation (SAF) "GOAL" project in Ghana. Before moving to St. Louis, she worked as a Human Rights Advocate for the Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Organization in Hungary, where she championed the rights of ethnic minorities. Her passion for social work motivates her to be concerned about factors that affect people's life circumstances and the nexus between social work and policy. Currently, she is pursuing her Master of Social Work degree at WashU. She enjoys traveling, listening to music, and reading. She is excited to work with the Scholars.
Meris Damjanovic is a freshman at WashU studying English Literature with a Focus in Creative Writing. Meris has lived in Louisville, KY; El Paso, TX; and Dallas, TX; and is enjoying his time in St. Louis. Outside of the classroom, Meris is the Communications Chair for Student Union Treasury where he strives for equitable funding practices and increased transparency. In his spare time, Meris loves to read, write, and listen to music. He is very excited to meet the College Prep Program Scholars this summer and cannot wait to help them achieve their educational goals!
Nyla Welch is a senior at WashU studying Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology. She is from Brooklyn, NY and has enjoyed exploring St. Louis. Nyla spends her free time playing video games, doing photography and editing, and listening to music. Nyla is passionate about connecting with the community, and she looks forward to working with the College Prep scholars this year.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Program Coordinator for Recruitment & Events Management
Raven Swingler joined the College Prep Program in February 2024 as the Program Coordinator overseeing Recruitment & Events Management.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Leadership Team
Tashanna Stanciel joined the College Prep Program February 2023 as the Director. She will provide leadership, vision, and overall supervision of the program. As the program's senior leader, Tashanna is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and relationship building and management with both internal and external partners. Tashanna will conduct long-term strategic planning as she focuses on the operational success of the program.
Tashanna is a first-generation college student and has held various leadership positions in higher education and nonprofit administration for over 16 years. Tashanna, a first-generation college student, devotes her career to serving, advising, and mentoring young people. She supports them from high school to career and connects them with resources to help them achieve their personal, professional, and career goals. Tashanna is known for her passion and commitment to student success, equity, and community collaboration. Tashanna started her career in 2006 as a financial aid and scholarship counselor at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO where she assisted students fund their college education as well as managed all Missouri Department of Higher Education financial assistance programs. She also educated students and their families on financial aid eligibility, options, and processes.
As Morehead State University's Senior Enrollment Services Counselor for Diversity from 2008-2014, she aligned the annual minority student recruitment strategic marketing plan with MSU's enrollment goals. Additionally, she organized and facilitated innovative student recruitment and community outreach initiatives to diverse student populations including "Diversity Day" and "Evening with the Eagles". In her role as Executive Program Director of Alumni Mentoring at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri (BBBSEMO) for 8 and a half years, she cultivated and maintained key education and employment relationships to advance BBBSEMO's reach and impact (including her alma mater-Southeast Missouri State University). As a Staff of Color Representative(SOC Rep.), she played an integral role in developing "Three Best Hopes"-a living document outlining Staff of Color recommendations for advancing the agency's anti-bias anti-racist (ABAR) practices, policies, and procedures. With Staff of Color leadership, hard work, and dedication, "Three Best Hopes" was officially added to the agency's core documents.
Tashanna tirelessly built relationships, trust, and rapport with high school personnel, workforce development program staff, higher education administrators, parents, youth, community organizations, and community leaders. Her accomplishments include being honored as Southeast Missouri State University's inaugural Community Partner of the Year at the 35th annual St. Louis American Salute to Excellence in Education and a graduate of the Morehead State University President's Leadership Academy (Class of 2014). She is proud to be honored as a Nine Network of Public Media American Graduate Champion (2016) and a Focus St. Louis Emerging Leaders Alum (Fall 2018). She serves as the Vice President of the Board for Brownpreneurs and chairs the Community Outreach Committee.
Raised in St. Louis, Tashanna holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in corrections, and a minor in developmental psychology from Southeast Missouri State University. She earned a Master of Science in Public Administration and Policy Analysis with an emphasis in nonprofit administration from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
Timilehin Alake is a PhD student in the International Writer's Track of the Comparative Literature program. His works, both critical and creative, focus on migration, postcolonial literatures, global blackness, and the African diasporas. He got his bachelor's in Linguistics, and he has MAs in English literature, Education, and Creative Writing (Fiction). Timilehin relishes working with youth, both in roles as an educator and mentor. He has been involved in different literacy and educational programs in Texas where he previously lived, serving as a contest judge for local and statewide writing contests as well as in other capacities. When he is not writing, he enjoys cooking, making art, or swooning in a nostalgic space with old Nigerian films. Timilehin is delighted to work with College Prep scholars and looks forward to supporting their goals.