Tara Houdeshell, Executive Director
Tara worked in college access, admissions and advising for seven years at both Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) and Muskingum University prior to joining the staff in 2014. Tara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality Management from Eastern Michigan University and a Master's degree in Information Strategy, Systems and Technology from Muskingum University. In addition to overseeing the management of the staff, Tara lends her technical expertise to many facets of the organization, serves in leadership roles in the planning and assessment of the organization's programming and participates in direct programming at both the PEAK and high school levels.
Jen Holtsberry, Senior Director, College Prep & Success
Jen joined A Call to College in the summer of 2016. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Denison University in Economics and Sports Management and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Morehead State University. Prior to joining A Call to College, Jen spent 5 years with The Ohio State University at Newark in access and engagement, honors, and study abroad. Jen began her career as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Ohio State Newark and A Call to College and also coached softball at Morehead State University.
Jeanne Andersen, Associate Director, Programming
Jeanne joined A Call to College in the fall of 2022. Prior to that, she had been a Newark High School science teacher for 35 years. Jeanne graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and then earned a Master's degree at Ashland University. Jeanne enjoys working with young people and is excited about being a part of A Call to College.
Carmen Bishop, Director, College Prep & Success
Carmen is a 2019 Newark High School graduate and joined the A Call to College team shortly after her high school graduation. She worked as a paid intern throughout her four years in college before she transitioned to a full-time position in May 2023. Carmen attended The Ohio State University’s Newark campus before she transferred to the Columbus campus where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in writing, rhetoric, and literacy, and a minor in creative writing. Carmen now plays a large role in the PEAK programming and assists with high school programming.
Shannon Chiacchira, Associate Director, Programming
Shannon graduated from Florida State University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in English Education. She spent her early years working in the fields of human resources, training and communications. After leaving the workforce for several years to raise her two sons, Shannon began volunteering, substitute teaching and tutoring in the Newark City Schools where her children attend. Prior to joining the staff, she volunteered with the organization as an advisor and helped with the PEAK program. She assists with office operations, PEAK and high school programming.
Stephanie Chittum, Director, College Prep & Success
Stephanie joined A Call to College in August 2023. She has experience in college admissions from her work with Otterbein University and Central Ohio Technical College. She holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Journalism from The Ohio State University. Stephanie enjoys encouraging students to explore post-secondary opportunities and is excited to be a member of the A Call to College family. Stephanie assists with PEAK and high school programming with a focus in campus visits.
Abby Doup, Associate Director, Programming
Abby joined ACTC in October 2023. She graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2018 with a Bachelors in Education. Abby began her teaching career in 2018 in New Lexington, Ohio. She taught for one year at the Perry Multi-County Juvenile Detention Facility teaching remedial English 8-12th grades. She coached volleyball as well at New Lexington High School. In 2019, Abby started teaching at North Fork Local Schools and coaching volleyball. She taught English Language Arts in multiple grade levels during her time at North Fork at both Utica High School and Utica Middle School. Abby has a passion for education and helping students carve their own path, which led her to working in advising at ACTC.
Kelly Fenton, Accounting Officer
Kelly joined A Call to College in 2022. In addition, Kelly is the in-house accountant for Shai Hess Commercial Real Estate, LLC. Kelly helps manage both the finances for the brokerage as well as investments that the brokerage makes in Real Estate. After graduating from Newark High School, Kelly attended Central Ohio Technical College earning an Associates of Applied Business degree. Kelly also volunteers her time with P.E.O. Chapter EL, an organization that helps women attend college, serving a term as a Chaplain, Guard, Treasurer and President. She also volunteers for the Look Up Center, a faith based nonprofit organization. Anyone who knows Kelly, knows she is extremely focused on her family.
Sue Kent, Director, College Prep & Success
Sue joined A Call to College in the fall of 2011. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1983 with a degree in Community/Health Services and Administration. While raising her four children, Sue was an avid volunteer in both the Granville school system and the local community. In 2004, she found a way to combine her two passions, children and education, by substitute teaching in the Granville schools. Sue oversees PEAK and assists with high school programming.
Patty Myers, Associate Director, Programming
Patty is a resident of Licking County for the past 24 years. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati as a finance major in the College of Business. She has had 2 careers. The first as a bank manager for State Savings Bank in Columbus. She most recently completed a 13 year career in financial aid as a financial aid counselor at OSU-Newark/COTC and then Franklin University. She enjoys outdoor activities - hiking, bicycling, gardening, and being near water. She also enjoys reading, crafting and hanging out with friends and family. Her career in higher education has given her a passion to help young people find their potential and to see that there is way forward to post-secondary education.
Aba Odogwu, Director, College Prep & Success
Aba graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Early Childhood Education. She then went on to teach an accelerated program at a private school in Dublin, OH for 3 years. Aba pursued and completed her Master's degree in Educational Studies while teaching 1st grade at a public charter school where she specialized in serving English Language Learners. Joining A Call to College in June of 2022, gave Aba the opportunity to continue to foster the love of learning in students and serve as a mentor, providing the resources and assistance they need to tap into their gifts leading them to purposefully navigate their futures.
Angelique Stankorb, Director, College Prep & Success
Angelique joined A Call to College in June 2017. Prior to joining the organization, she worked at Central Ohio Technical College for five years as an access and retention specialist, advisor, events coordinator and adjunct faculty. One of her major COTC responsibilities was to plan, promote, coordinate and evaluate CollegeASPIRE -- hands on, faculty-led workshops that give under resourced community youth the opportunity to experience a college campus. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master's degree in Marketing and Communication from Franklin University.
Julie Uible, Associate Director, Programming
Julie is a 1983 Newark High School graduate who served as class president for three of her four years as a Wildcat. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Miami (OH) University, Julie taught English first at Princeton High School in Cincinnati and then in the Newark district. Julie’s passion for education led her to become a member of the Par Excellence and Granville Christian Academy school boards and to homeschool her children. Prior to joining the staff where she assists with PEAK and high school programming, Julie volunteered with the organization in several capacities.
Mandy Vadala, Associate Director, Programming
Mandy graduated from Newark High School in 1990 prior to
earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The Ohio State University in 1994.
She left a career in human resources to raise her three children. Mandy has
been an avid volunteer with Pickerington Local Schools, Newark City Schools and
the community for many years. Prior to joining the A Call to College staff in
2019, she was a volunteer advisor for two years. She assists with both PEAK and
high school programming.