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 Slater, Jr., is a learning strategist, instructional coach, and national thought leader committed to expanding access to high-quality, equitable education for non-traditional learners and historically underserved communities. His work sits at the intersection of data science, human-centered design, and inclusive pedagogy—empowering educators and institutions to rethink how instruction is delivered, assessed, and supported across diverse learning environments.

Carl began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Morehouse College, where he cultivated a strong analytical foundation and a passion for social justice in education. He went on to earn a Master of Science in Data Science from Eastern University, equipping him with the tools to transform educational data into meaningful, equity-driven insights. In addition to his formal degrees, Carl holds professional certifications in project management, business intelligence, and UX design, reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary practice and lifelong learning.

With over a decade of experience supporting K–12 districts, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations, Carl has helped design and implement large-scale learning innovations—including competency-based assessment systems, culturally responsive digital learning frameworks, and technology-enabled educator development models. As an instructional coach and facilitator, he is known for blending warmth, intellectual rigor, and deep listening to help teams move from vision to impact.

Carl is also a respected writer and presenter, contributing to the national dialogue on evidence-based teaching practices, anti-racist education, and the future of learning in a rapidly evolving digital world. His approach is guided by the belief that transformative education starts with listening to communities, honoring lived experience, and designing systems that recognize and build on every learner’s strengths.

Whether he's leading professional learning, building dashboards to track student success, or advising on curriculum redesign, Carl brings a rare combination of empathy, strategy, and design thinking to every project he touches.

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.