Dr. Kim Alexander grew up on a farm near Roscoe, Texas, and has farmed and ranched in that area since graduation from college in 1976. He was employed by the Roscoe Independent School District in 1988, where he served as superintendent from 2003 to 2019. Since 2019, he has served as CEO of Collegiate Edu-Nation.

Dr. Alexander received his BS in Education from Angelo State University in 1976, his Master of Education in Educational Administration from Abilene Christian University in 1985, and his EdD in Agricultural Education in 2007 from Texas A&M and Texas Tech Universities, through a joint doctoral program. Dr. Alexander is a member of the Texas Association of School Administrators, the American Association of School Administration, and Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.

During his doctoral research, Dr. Alexander became involved in a study investigating differentiated instruction for economically disadvantaged learners. This spurred additional, extensive research into understanding generational poverty and educating students in the cycle of generational poverty more effectively. As a result of that research, Roscoe Collegiate Independent School District became a school-wide Early College High School in 2009 and a school-wide STEM Academy in 2012, which evolved into the first rural school-wide P-TECH in 2017.

Joel Vargas is vice president of the Education practice at JFF, overseeing programs focused on improving learning systems and outcomes. He was previously vice president of programs and launched our West Coast office in 2015.

His skills and areas of expertise include:

• Designing and implementing research, systems changes, and state policy agendas for integrating high school, college, and career
• Creating policy frameworks, tools, and model legislation
• Providing technical assistance to state task forces and policy working groups

Before joining JFF, Vargas directed, initiated, and studied programs designed to help students from populations underrepresented in postsecondary education enter and complete college.

Educational background:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, Boston University
• Master’s degree and EdD in education planning, administration, and social policy, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Prior to joining TWC, Bryan served for four and half years on Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s senior staff where he led the Office of Economic Development and Tourism – which included the Texas Enterprise Fund, Events Trust Fund, Governor’s University Research Initiative, Texas Tourism Office, Texas Music Office, Texas Film Commission, Texas Workforce Investment Council, the Economic Development Bank, the Texas Military Preparedness Commission and the State of Texas Mexico Office.

Bryan’s tenure as the Texas State Director for Rural Development for President George W. Bush and as Chief Administrator for Trade and Business Development at the Texas Department of Agriculture, along with his private sector experiences as a marketing executive and member of the board of directors, have provided him with valuable insights on economic development and workforce issues.

Bryan is a graduate of Texas Tech University with both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. In 2019, Texas Tech’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources recognized Bryan as a Distinguished Alumnus.

Ray Martinez serves as the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC), a comprehensive membership association comprising a diverse mix of 48 community colleges across Texas. Public community colleges in Texas play a critical role in supporting the continued growth of our state’s economy by expanding access to high-quality and affordable academic programs, workforce education training, and continuing education instruction. As President and CEO of TACC, Martinez provides leadership to advance state policy, institutional practice, research, and developing meaningful multisector partnerships in support of Texas community colleges.

Before joining TACC, Ray served as Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Workforce Education for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, where he led the agency’s critical functions in academic programs, workforce education, and postsecondary readiness and success. Martinez brings a deep understanding of higher education to TACC. He previously served as President of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas and Chancellor of Western Governors University (WGU) Texas, and he has held senior government affairs positions at Rice University and Texas A&M International University. Ray has also served as the director of the Committee on Higher Education in the Texas Senate.

In addition, Ray has substantial federal policy experience, having served in the Clinton Administration as regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and on the White House staff as deputy assistant to the president for Intergovernmental Affairs. Ray returned to federal service in 2003 after being nominated by President George W. Bush – and confirmed by the United States Senate – to serve as a commissioner on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, a bipartisan federal agency responsible for assisting state and local governments to improve the process of election administration.

Beginning in 2007, Ray served as an adjunct professor of public policy at The University of Texas School of Law and the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, where, over a seven-year period, he taught a course on election administration, redistricting, and campaign finance. Ray has also served on the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which implements the accreditation process for public and private higher education institutions in an eleven-state region, including Texas.

A native of Alice, Texas, Ray received his bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University and his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center, and he recently completed postgraduate studies at the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Ray and his wife, Beth, a clinical social worker, reside in Austin.

Dr. Rachael McClain comes to CEN with a passion to see all students have opportunities for future success in college, career, or military pathways. From rural North Georgia, Rachael grew up within a family of farmers and blue-collar workers and saw how barriers to college can prevent young people from accessing the resources to achieve their goals and dreams.
Rachael earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree focusing on marketing and management from the University of North Georgia. She entered the business world gaining experience in marketing, management, and human resources. She had an opportunity to use her real-world experience to teach high school students and opted to enter the education field. She earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Georgia. She continued her education with a Ph. D. from the University of Georgia specializing in Workforce Education. Her research focus reflects her passion for supporting students facing barriers to college and career success.
Rachael moved with her husband, Mark, and their children to West Texas in 2013. Rachael has worked in a rural ISD as the Chief Academic Officer supporting instructional design, monitoring attainment of student outcomes, securing grants for program initiatives, creating professional development programs, and coaching principals as academic leaders. Most recently, Rachael has worked with innovative programs to support school improvement with the intention of providing educational environments for all students to succeed. These innovative programs include launching P-TECH and T-STEM school models and creating charter partnerships to restart an academically failing campus.

Dr. Kelty Garbee serves as Executive Director of Texas Rural Funders. Dr. Garbee has 20 years of experience with non-profits, state government, and philanthropy. She previously served as Director of Postsecondary Programs at Educate Texas and Director of Early College High Schools at the Texas Education Agency. In both roles she developed and led large-scale statewide networks with budgets of over $7 million and collaboration between K-12, higher education, and workforce partners. She also worked in the Development Office at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Garbee holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and a doctorate in higher education from the University of Texas-Austin. Her passion for ensuring equity and access in rural Texas is fueled by her upbringing in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Lynchburg, Virginia, and her work in communities across Texas.

Ms. McMillin has served on the boards of the National College Access Network (NCAN), the National Student Clearinghouse, the National Council of Higher Education Resources (NCHER), ELM Resources, Texas Rural Funders, and as the past President of the National Association of Student Loan Administrators (NASLA). She is active in the non-profit community previously serving as past Chair and board member of the United Way of Williamson County and currently serving on the Southwestern University’s Board of Visitors, and as a board member and past chair of Texell Credit Union.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she grew up in Midland, Michigan and is a graduate of Midland High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts from St. Edward’s University, graduating summa cum laude.

A proud Texan by choice, Sue enjoys spending time with family, friends and any animal that crosses her path.

Most recently, Bolch served as Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Advising and Transitions at Texas State University, where she led strategic efforts to enhance academic advising, advance transfer initiatives, and support first-year and transfer students using a data-informed, student-first approach. Under her leadership, Texas State launched its new Transfer Center in 2022, offering student transfer navigation services and guidance for faculty and administrators seeking to establish partnerships that support seamless transfers.

Prior to her arrival at Texas State University, Bolch made significant contributions at Texas Tech University as Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Programs and Policy. In this role, she led the university’s first Undergraduate Research Task Force, which led to the creation of TTU’s first center for undergraduate research. While Associate Dean in the Honors College, she spearheaded the creation of two interdisciplinary degree programs, early admission pathways to law and medical schools, and international study programs for high-ability students.

Bolch earned her Bachelor of Arts in Honors Studies, summa cum laude, from Texas Tech University, majoring in English with a specialization in Technical Communication. She then pursued her Doctor of Jurisprudence at The University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1994.

After having my first two children, Hailey and Hayden, I was called into the field of education, so I completed my Master’s in Educational Administration with an emphasis in Secondary Education from Lubbock Christian University. I began my teaching career in Roosevelt ISD and moved to Lubbock ISD where I taught for five years before moving to an Assistant Principal role. After three years, I shifted to a Principal position at Parsons Elementary where I served for nine years. During that time, I completed my Ph. D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas Tech University in 2015. In 2019, I married the love of my life, Mike Avey, and we were blessed to have the new joy of our lives, our now two-year-old little boy, Quinn. Just prior to having Quinn, I shifted roles and worked as an Assistant Principal at Mackenzie Middle School.

I have currently been serving as the Superintendent of Seagraves since April 2023 and I have loved being a part of this outstanding community. As an educator, it is my mission to see that every student receives the highest quality education possible. I will continue to work with our staff and students to achieve the highest levels of growth for every child. My focus is to assist teachers and administrators as they prepare students for college and career readiness, while at the same time guiding students to become more responsible and well-rounded citizens in our community. It is a pure joy to see the successes of each child and watch them grow in all aspects of their lives. It is with great honor to serve as the Superintendent of Seagraves ISD.

Kendall’s personal journey as a first-generation college graduate informs her dedication to our work. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, specializing in Finance, from the University of Arizona in 2006. After relocating to Snyder, Texas in 2007, Kendall earned her teaching credentials and began her career in Snyder ISD. Her passion for education led her to earn a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Abilene Christian University in 2011.

Kendall’s professional path seamlessly blended her finance background with her love for public education. She progressed from a classroom educator to a campus administrator and eventually transitioned into district administration, where she worked in the Business Office. This unique background equips Kendall with a profound understanding of the distinct challenges that rural communities face when it comes to providing quality education and preparing students for meaningful roles within their communities.
In addition to her extensive experience in education, Kendall’s perspective is enriched by her experience as a business owner. Her holistic understanding of rural communities, paired with her belief in CEN’s mission and methodologies, fuels her dedication to improving student outcomes and breaking the cycle of generational poverty.

Kendall is currently pursuing her MBA in Finance at Louisiana State University at Shreveport and is expected to graduate in December 2023. Her blend of educational expertise, financial acumen, and firsthand knowledge of rural communities makes her a valuable asset to the Collegiate Edu-Nation team, driving our commitment to enhancing opportunities for all students.

Shelly Slaughter has served as Superintendent for the last eleven years in Cumby Collegiate ISD. She has been in education for twenty-six years and has served small and large districts in various roles of Special Education Teacher, Middle School Counselor, Elementary Principal, High School Principal, and Superintendent. Shelly is the Past President of the Texas Council of Women School Executives and she has served as the Region 8 Regional Advisory Committee Chairperson. She is involved in TASA as a member of the TASA Professional Learning Committee as well as a member of the Small Schools Network Design Team. Shelly also serves on the Membership Committee for TACS. She has a wonderful support system of family and friends at church, home, and school; and in her personal time she enjoys spending time with her husband, Burt, of 34 years, two daughters, son in law and seven grandchildren.