Communications Advisory Committee
2024 - 2026
Emily Hammond, Assistant Director of
Communications and Outreach
West Virginia GEAR UP (WV)
Jessica Lilly, Communications Manager
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia (WV)
Kaara Koplowitz, Program Director - GU Meriden Middlesex
Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, CT Board of Regents for Higher Education (CT)
Kayla Hopkins, Communications Coordinator
GEAR UP Maine Rise (ME)
Lizeth Cuellar Olivarez, Education Specialist
Choosing College, Changing Lives! (TX)
Missy Brownson Ross, Chief Communications and
Engagement Officer
GEAR UP Kentucky (KY)
2025 - 2027
Beth Kelly, Assistant Director, College Access and Support
Washington State GEAR UP (WA)
Bobbee Russell-Verhoef, Marketer II
Utah State University Stars GEAR UP (UT)
Cassie Montgomery, Communications and Marketing Specialist
GEAR UP Achieve (AL)
Jael Chac, GEAR UP Media Consultant
Region 10 GEAR UP Beyond Boundaries (TX)
Jeremy Bull, Professional Development Coordinator
Arkansas Tech University GEAR UP (AR)
Megan Mossman Oberman, Project Director
University of Texas at Austin GUIDES (TX)