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KIPP Forward Team

Meet Our Team

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  Vaneeda Days

  Managing Director of KIPP Forward

  Vaneeda Days joined the KIPP Forward team in Philadelphia as the Director of College Placement, helping students who attend non-KIPP high schools through the college admissions process. A native of Philadelphia, Vaneeda has a vested interest in education and incredibly committed to seeing the youth in our city go to and through college. Her background is in non-profit program management. She has spent the past four years leading the Philadelphia Scholars Program, an initiative of the Philadelphia Education Fund. In this role she provided college admissions and financial aid counseling and support to an annual cohort of over 300 Philadelphia high school and college students. She also tracked and supported the scholarship recipients’ college retention and graduation rates. Prior to her work at the Philadelphia Scholars Program, Vaneeda worked for the Philadelphia Youth Network in roles such as Re-engagement Specialist and Operations Coordinator. She has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Gwynedd – Mercy College. She enjoys traveling, shopping and dining with friends and family.

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  Jason Smith

  Senior Director, Post-Secondary Outcomes

  Jason joined KIPP Philadelphia’s KIPP Forward team in 2013 as a Director of College Support. In his current role, he supports the team of Advisors working with KIPP Philly alumni as they enter young adulthood and begin to build the foundation for their lives. His work revolves around program design, sustainability and alumni advising.

  During Jason’s professional career, he has worked with various college access and success programs in Philadelphia; and operated in many capacities from direct service to program design and management. As a proud native of Philadelphia, Jason sees his work as a way to give back and create change in the city. He feels privileged to continue to serve in the role of “helper” in guiding students to opportunities that will shape and create meaningful outcomes for their lives.

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  Dion Robinson

  Dual Enrollment Program Manager

  Dion joined the KIPP Forward team in the Summer of 2023 as a Dual Enrollment Program Manager. In his role, he carries out the vision and goals of KIPP Philadelphia’s dual enrollment strategy to increase the number of students successfully graduating from our high school with stackable college credit(s). Dion earned his B.S. in Health Science from Lincoln University and his Master’s in Leadership Development from Penn State University.
  Before joining KIPP, Dion worked as a Dual Enrollment Coordinator for Middle College programs, where he served as a liaison providing support to 250+ high school students who were dually enrolled full-time at a local community college, their high school administration, and community partners. He has also served as a Senior Admissions Counselor at Lincoln University, recruiting students nationally, focusing on the Philadelphia area. In his role, Dion worked directly with KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy by visiting and providing KIPP students with information about acceptances and scholarship opportunities. Dion’s approach to education ensures that each student feels like an individual, as there is no “one-size fits all” way to make an impact.

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  Chamoya Waller

  Persistence Advisor

  Chamoya joined the KIPP Forward team in the Fall of 2022 as a Persistence Advisor. In her role, she supports our alumni to persist on their chosen pathways by providing information about KIPP Alumni and mental health resources, connection to campus supports, and advisement on academic and career plans. Chamoya finds joy and motivation in helping her students succeed in reaching their goals as they navigate through their new post-secondary journeys. Education is important to Chamoya, and as she transitioned through her post-secondary education, she has been so fortunate to have mentors to guide and encourage her and she wants to be that person for our students.

  As a proud native of Jamaica, Chamoya migrated to America in 2010, where she completed high school and earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and College Student Affairs from Bloomsburg University. Chamoya is committed to cultural advocacy, educational equity, and social justice. Before joining KIPP, Chamoya worked in nonprofit and CTE education as a Student Success Advisor, where she mentored, coached, and advised students through graduation. In her spare time, Chamoya whips up flavorful Jamaican cuisine where the spice is always right, traveling, shopping, and spending time with her family and friends.

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  Justin Lockley

  Career Development Advisor

  Justin joined the KIPP through College team in the summer of 2021. In his role as the Career Development Advisor, he serves as a liaison to all grade level teams, working with each team to promote strategic career exploration and exposure opportunities for all students. Prior to coming to KIPP Philly,  Justin has worked in the non-profit and educational field since 2009 on the university and high school level specifically with opportunity youth. He has designed indirect and direct career pathway programming for students and alumni transitioning to postsecondary education or alternative training programs. Also he managed all facets of selection and matching, student and alumni professional development and outcomes.

  Justin earned his Bachelor’s degree in Media Communications with an emphasis on journalism and public relations from Lock Haven University. In addition he has five professional secondary certifications in workforce development. Justin has a firm belief in assisting individuals to reach their fullest potential both personally and professionally.

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  Natasha Toney

  Career Development Advisor

  Natasha joined the KIPP Forward team in the Fall of 2022 as a Career Advisor supporting the current efforts of the Career team and helping to expand career initiatives and opportunities for students. Before KIPP, Natasha served in nonprofit and educational spaces providing indirect and direct support to youth at the high school level as they entered the workforce for the first time. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Temple University and is intentional about leveraging her skillset and expertise to help individuals identify, secure, and navigate opportunities that align with their passion; and has grown a strong interest in consulting.

  Natasha is a native of Philadelphia and spends her free time with her husband and three boys: finding new playgrounds in and around the city, taking family trips, and ordering pizza on the weekends! She also enjoys reading, writing, and binge-watching 80s & 90s TV shows and movies.