Dr. DeAndre Jones is a higher education professional with over 17 years of experience, most recently serving as a political appointee in the Biden-Harris Administration as a Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education. Prior to joining the Administration, DeAndre was an Assistant Dean in the Division of Access and Community Engagement at the Community College of Philadelphia.

DeAndre is passionate about creating educational pathways for students from marginalized and disadvantaged communities. Throughout his career, he has managed special projects to close educational gaps, led cross-functional teams, and forged strategic partnerships to enhance career, technical, and adult education programs. His experience spans from advising, overseeing dual enrollment and college readiness initiatives to managing adult education programs with budgets exceeding $1M annually.

DeAndre has demonstrated experience in policy reform, program design, strategic planning, and the cultivation of key educational partnerships resulting in increased student success rates and improved retention. As an advocate for life-changing opportunities through post-secondary education, Dr. Jones continues to work towards ensuring all students have access to quality educational experiences.

Dr. Jones holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph's University, a Master of Business Administration from Rosemont College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Kutztown University.

Carl is a learning strategist dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, equitable learning experiences for adult learners, non-traditional student populations, and historically underserved communities. By blending analytical rigor with human-centered design, he supports institutions in rethinking how instruction is designed, delivered, and assessed for impact. In addition to his work as a facilitator and instructional coach, Carl contributes to the national education dialogue as a writer and presenter, sharing insights on evidence-based teaching practices and the role of technology in 21st-century education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Morehouse College and a Master of Science in Data Science from Eastern University, along with certifications in project management, business intelligence, and UX design.

Mia Williams is an educator, creative technologist, and curriculum strategist committed to advancing equity through innovation, design, and place-based programming. With over 20 years of experience in education—from high school graphic design classrooms to university lecture halls—Mia blends human-centered pedagogy with cutting-edge technology to prepare learners for future-ready careers.

Currently a lecturer at Rutgers University–Newark, Mia teaches Introduction to iOS to both undergraduates and dual-enrollment high school students, integrating Apple’s ecosystem with executive function skill-building and career exploration. She also serves as the Director of STEAM Initiatives at the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, where she leads the award-winning “STEAM Strategy 3.0”—a multi-site initiative funded by Apple Inc. and foundations like the Arman Roy Foundation and Caesars Foundation. Her work connects K–12 youth to real-world opportunities in coding, drone technology, renewable energy, and digital design.

Mia is the founder of Mia Williams Design & Consulting (MWDC), a boutique practice specializing in curriculum design, branding, and technical assistance for nonprofit and educational institutions. Her clients have included civic leaders, foundations, and community development organizations across Southern New Jersey.

Rooted in the belief that education should be empowering, culturally responsive, and rooted in relevance, Mia champions learning environments that blend emotional intelligence, digital fluency, and community impact.