Our People
Our people share an unending belief in our young people and understand the importance of working together in order to create opportunity that empowers every young person to fulfill their promise.
Meet our Program Leadership Team
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Ms. Deanna Reed, Program DirectorDeanna Reed, a Harrisonburg (VA) native, is a proven leader with experience in leading programs for young people of all ages. Before becoming the On the Road Collaborative Program Director in August 2015, Deanna served as the co-founder and director of Precious Gems Academy, a youth empowerment organization that served 65 ‘at-risk’ youth annually through its network of after school programs in the Harrisonburg City Schools, and created an original summer enrichment program for the Roberta Webb Childcare Center. Beyond her leadership and achievements in serving youth, Deanna has 20 years of experience in retail management and community development work. Deanna is currently the Mayor of Harrisonburg and the Advisor for the Iota Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at James Madison University and holds numerous offices of other local organizations.
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Ms. Val Dillard
High School Program Coordinator
As the newest member of the program team, Val brings nothing short of excitement and endless possibilities to the OTRC table!
After graduating from Radford University with a degree in Psychology and Sociology and spending the last three years serving as a tutor, mentor and counselor for high school youth in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Val recently relocated to Harrisonburg and has quickly rooted herself in the mission of On the Road Collaborative.
Why OTRC?
"On the Road Collaborative opens doors for so many different students in Harrisonburg. An opportunity such as this one HAS the ability to make a true difference in the lives of so many, and I wholeheartedly believe that this unique organization does just that! It is my personal goal to advocate, mentor, and advise the future leaders of this community. After all, every child deserves a champion!"
High School Program Coordinator
As the newest member of the program team, Val brings nothing short of excitement and endless possibilities to the OTRC table!
After graduating from Radford University with a degree in Psychology and Sociology and spending the last three years serving as a tutor, mentor and counselor for high school youth in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Val recently relocated to Harrisonburg and has quickly rooted herself in the mission of On the Road Collaborative.
Why OTRC?
"On the Road Collaborative opens doors for so many different students in Harrisonburg. An opportunity such as this one HAS the ability to make a true difference in the lives of so many, and I wholeheartedly believe that this unique organization does just that! It is my personal goal to advocate, mentor, and advise the future leaders of this community. After all, every child deserves a champion!"
Ms. Emani Morse
Middle School Program Coordinator (THMS)
Emani recently joined our team as the Program Coordinator to lead our new program at Thomas Harrison Middle School.
She shared the following about why OTRC:
“I am passionate about empowering our community’s youth to recognize their promise. I want to become a dependable and trusted resource for the students. With the organization’s expansion to Thomas Harrison Middle School, I am super excited to dive into the new program and be a part of the incredible atmosphere OTRC has created.”
Middle School Program Coordinator (THMS)
Emani recently joined our team as the Program Coordinator to lead our new program at Thomas Harrison Middle School.
She shared the following about why OTRC:
“I am passionate about empowering our community’s youth to recognize their promise. I want to become a dependable and trusted resource for the students. With the organization’s expansion to Thomas Harrison Middle School, I am super excited to dive into the new program and be a part of the incredible atmosphere OTRC has created.”
Meet Our AmeriCorps VISTA Members
Mr. Corin Vogel, Fundraising Service Member
Bio: Corin is a recent graduate of Harrisonburg High School. He’s taking a year off of education to be an Americorps VISTA at OTRC, where he looks forward to helping raise funds to drive On the Road’s mission and drinking free coffee!
On why he believes in our mission: "Attending Harrisonburg High School, I had heard the words “On the Road Collaborative” but never really knew what it meant. As I’ve learned about OTRC, I’ve realized that it meets a need that isn’t addressed by other institutions or organizations. I think we all should strive to give every student the opportunity to succeed, and On the Road’s approach of directly providing the tools and support to do so for those who do not otherwise have access to them is an incredible and effective way to achieve such a goal."
Bio: Corin is a recent graduate of Harrisonburg High School. He’s taking a year off of education to be an Americorps VISTA at OTRC, where he looks forward to helping raise funds to drive On the Road’s mission and drinking free coffee!
On why he believes in our mission: "Attending Harrisonburg High School, I had heard the words “On the Road Collaborative” but never really knew what it meant. As I’ve learned about OTRC, I’ve realized that it meets a need that isn’t addressed by other institutions or organizations. I think we all should strive to give every student the opportunity to succeed, and On the Road’s approach of directly providing the tools and support to do so for those who do not otherwise have access to them is an incredible and effective way to achieve such a goal."
Ms. Lala Dark, Volunteer Coordinator
Bio: Lala, a recent graduate of THE James Madison University, serves as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with OTRC as their Volunteer Coordinator. In this role, Lala is recruiting STEM professionals from the community to get involved and share their expertise with our middle and high school students. Following her AmeriCorps service year, Lala plans to pursue a master’s degree in Business in the Fall of 2019.
On why she believes in our mission: "Coming from a low-income household and community, I believe that OTRC is a safe haven for the young students of Harrisonburg. As the mission statement seeks to empower the youth, I too share and embody this philosophy in everyday life. I am passionate and adamant about setting the foundation to lead others in the path of their future whether it be higher education or career & practice. Working with OTRC, I know that I can make a difference in the lives of those I serve and provide the resources to keep the students on the road to success."
Bio: Lala, a recent graduate of THE James Madison University, serves as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with OTRC as their Volunteer Coordinator. In this role, Lala is recruiting STEM professionals from the community to get involved and share their expertise with our middle and high school students. Following her AmeriCorps service year, Lala plans to pursue a master’s degree in Business in the Fall of 2019.
On why she believes in our mission: "Coming from a low-income household and community, I believe that OTRC is a safe haven for the young students of Harrisonburg. As the mission statement seeks to empower the youth, I too share and embody this philosophy in everyday life. I am passionate and adamant about setting the foundation to lead others in the path of their future whether it be higher education or career & practice. Working with OTRC, I know that I can make a difference in the lives of those I serve and provide the resources to keep the students on the road to success."
Meet Our Interns
Ms. Ashley Bove
Program Communications
Bio: Ashley is a senior Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication major at James Madison University. Although a native New Yorker at heart, she has enjoyed her college experience in Harrisonburg, where she can spend her free time in the mountains, and her school time working on her dream of pursuing nonprofit work.
Why On the Road?: "I fell in love with On the Road because it promotes the opportunity for every child to have educational success. I believe in the mission to close the learning gap for children who would typically have less resources, because every child deserves to have the tools in order to pursue an academic career beyond high school. I have always loved working with kids, and I value On the Road Collaborative because it believes in the potential of these children."
Program Communications
Bio: Ashley is a senior Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication major at James Madison University. Although a native New Yorker at heart, she has enjoyed her college experience in Harrisonburg, where she can spend her free time in the mountains, and her school time working on her dream of pursuing nonprofit work.
Why On the Road?: "I fell in love with On the Road because it promotes the opportunity for every child to have educational success. I believe in the mission to close the learning gap for children who would typically have less resources, because every child deserves to have the tools in order to pursue an academic career beyond high school. I have always loved working with kids, and I value On the Road Collaborative because it believes in the potential of these children."
Mr. Karan Deengar
Strategic Communications
Bio: Karan is a graduate student at James Madison University. He graduated with a bachelor degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in organizational communication and a minor in political science from JMU. Now he is a second-year student in the program, studying Communication and Advocacy with a focus in strategic communication. He is interested in how non-profit educational advocacy groups encourage young kids to pursue higher education.
Why On the Road?: I developed professionally and personally through my college experience and strongly believe that kids can grow the most when pursuing an education post-high school. I think engagement with kids by connecting them with community leaders and having them engage in rigorous skill and learning activities can help grow professionally, personally, and overall fall in love with learning.
Strategic Communications
Bio: Karan is a graduate student at James Madison University. He graduated with a bachelor degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in organizational communication and a minor in political science from JMU. Now he is a second-year student in the program, studying Communication and Advocacy with a focus in strategic communication. He is interested in how non-profit educational advocacy groups encourage young kids to pursue higher education.
Why On the Road?: I developed professionally and personally through my college experience and strongly believe that kids can grow the most when pursuing an education post-high school. I think engagement with kids by connecting them with community leaders and having them engage in rigorous skill and learning activities can help grow professionally, personally, and overall fall in love with learning.
