Alumni Engagement Team
GABBY NICHOLAS
2014 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, University of Florida; 2019 Graduate Scholar, Northwestern University
Program Manager, Alumni Engagement
Gabby Nicholas joined the Foundation in 2022, and works to provide engagement opportunities for Cooke Scholar Alums.
Before joining the Foundation as a Staff member, Gabby worked at the University of Wisconsin – Madison as the Assistant Director of Diversity Equity & Inclusion Signature Programs, and the Assistant Director of the Center for Cultural Liberation at Dominican University in River Forest, IL. She’s also worked for the Pat Tillman Foundation as the Digital Engagement Coordinator supporting military veterans, military spouses, and active-duty service members. Gabby also worked for Bottom Line in Chicago as a Success Advisor for first-generation college students. Lastly, she completed a fellowship with 12PLUS, a non-profit organization in Philadelphia focused on empowering high school students to succeed in education beyond high school.
Gabby holds an A.A. in General Education from Seminole State College in Florida and a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Florida. She also holds a Master’s of Science in Higher Education Administration and Policy from Northwestern University.
Dorothy neher
Associate, Career Advancement and Alumni Engagement
Previously, Dorothy worked at non-profits supporting underserved communities. Her work included advocacy for unaccompanied child migrants in detention, people with disabilities and survivors of domestic violence. She is excited to bring her engagement and operational expertise to the Foundation.
Dorothy has a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and a bachelor’s from Tufts University.
kim dickerson
Director, Career Advancement
As Director of Career Advancement, Kim Dickerson provides strategic leadership and oversight of Alumni engagement and career services, empowering Cooke Scholars to build community and find fulfilling professional careers across diverse fields. Reporting to the Vice President of Scholarship Programs, she and her team cultivate enduring partnerships with employers, Alumni, and industry leaders to deliver professional development opportunities and strengthen talent pipelines.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Mrs. Dickerson built a distinguished record in strategic planning, program management, and organizational development. She has coached hundreds of professionals through career transitions equipping both emerging and seasoned leaders. Most recently, she served as a Program Coach with Management Leaders of Tomorrow, guiding high-achieving college students in securing competitive internships and full-time roles that launched their careers.
Her commitment to student empowerment and workforce equity extends beyond her professional role. She serves on the Board of The 13th Man, a youth leadership initiative, and on the Advisory Board of NVOLVE, which prepares women for success in STEM fields.
Mrs. Dickerson holds a B.A. in Economics from Spelman College, an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and an Executive Certificate in Strategic Planning from the University of Michigan.
natalie rodriguez jansorn
Vice President, Scholarship Programs
As Vice President, Scholarship Programs, Natalie oversees the conception, development and implementation of the Foundation’s Scholar and Alumni programming and communications.
Natalie began working with the Foundation in 2005 as co-manager of the Young Scholars Program where she led a team of Educational Advisers and program Staff in partnership with the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. She went on to direct the Foundation’s grantmaking and higher education programs. She has worked with the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program to develop resources for community college leaders transforming their institutions for improved student outcomes.
Before joining the Foundation, Natalie served as Director of Program Development for the Johns Hopkins University National Network of Partnership Schools, assisting schools, districts, and state departments of education to establish school, family, and community partnership programs to support students’ success. She is a contributing author to School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action (Second and Third Editions). Natalie has greatly enjoyed teaching and managing supplemental programs for students in both urban and rural schools from kindergarten through the secondary level. She taught English to secondary school students as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Thailand.
Natalie earned her B.A. in American Studies from Yale University and her M.A. in Instructional Systems Design as a Shriver Peaceworker Fellow from University of Maryland Baltimore County.