KIPP Forward Team – Austin

Anthony SalernoDirector of KIPP Forward

Anthony is currently the Director of KIPP Forward at KIPP Texas Public Schools in Austin. In his role as Director, Anthony has built out college access and persistence programming to support all KIPP Austin students, alumni, and families on the pathway to and through college. During his tenure at KIPP Texas Austin, Anthony also had the opportunity to teach 8th grade American History at KIPP Austin College Prep during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years. Prior to his arriving at KIPP Austin, Anthony worked at New York City College of Technology at the City University of New York where he was the lead academic advisor and career counselor for a Title V program that helped place incoming freshman, the majority of whom were low-income and/or first generation students, into career-based learning communities to increase persistence and graduation. Anthony received a B.A. in English with a minor in Secondary Education from Brooklyn College. Outside of school, when he’s not running around the backyard with his three kids and border collie, Anthony can be found working in his garden or tackling woodworking projects in his garage.

Janet BonnerDirector of College Counselling, KMSA

Janet Bonner has a long history with KIPP: first as a mother of four KIPP alumni and then as a founding staff member of KIPP Polaris, the first single-gender school within the KIPP network. She is now the Director of College Counselor, KMSA (KIPP Middle School Alumni), where she works with KIPPsters not attending a KIPP high school. Her team provide resources, guidance and support to those students as they navigate through the college process. Ms. Bonner holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering from the University of Maryland, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree (EdD) at the University of Houston. She believes that the most valuable gift any counselor can give to her students is the ability to make good choices for their life’s path.

Jesse HendrixDirector of Persistence

Jesse leads the college retention and completion efforts for the KIPP Texas – Houston region’s KIPP Through College department. Jesse is in his 3rd year at KIPP as the director of college persistence. It is Jesse’s responsibility to identify the high impact levers to drive KIPP’s matriculation, persistence and graduation outcomes as well as early career outcomes for KIPP alumni. As a part of this effort, Jesse cultivates and stewards relationships with senior administrators at colleges and universities with a sole focus on improving retention and graduation rates for KIPPsters at these institutions. Jesse comes to KIPP from Rice University where he served as the Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs and as an Associate in residence on the College leadership team. At Rice, he advised cohorts of students in applying leadership principles to decision making, taught leadership courses, and facilitated developmental workshops and programs around creating positive change. Jesse also led and assisted in special University projects over his tenure, most notably helping to lay the foundation for Rice’s first ever Multicultural Center on campus.

Cindy AguasAlumni Counselor (2 yr and non-enrolled)

Cindy Aguas is beginning her 5th year as an Alumni Counselor on the KIPP Through College team. Born and raised in Brownsville, TX, she earned her B.S. from Texas A&M University in 2011. After graduation, she served as a College Adviser with Advise TX at Rio Hondo High School for two years. Prior to KIPP, Cindy was a Grant Coordinator for the Del Valle High School Upward Bound Program at Texas State University. As a first-generation college graduate, Cindy loves having the opportunity to help students uncover their potential.

Charisse BersaminaJunior Seminar Counselor

Tifani BlakesPersistence Counselor (4 yr)

Melissa ChavarriaCareer Integration Specialist

Melissa Chavarria was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley in San Juan, TX. She attended St. Edward’s University and majored in Political Science and Sociology. Upon completing her Undergraduate program where she gained multiple years of career counseling experience, mentoring, and legal aid, she moved to Bridgeport, CT to complete a year of service with Americorps. Once she returned to Texas, she joined the KTC Austin team as their Career Integration Specialist and completed her Master in Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley.

Ingrid FragosoSenior Seminar Counselor

Rosa Gutierrez

Mayra Flores JaimesAlumni Counselor (2yr)

Mayra Flores is an Alumni Counselor supporting alumni attending 2-year colleges. She joined the KTC team in 2017 and is a KIPP Austin Alumni from the Class of 2011. Being a first-generation college student, she is proud to give back to her community. In 2015, she graduated from Texas State with her Bachelor of Social Work and in 2017 with her Master of Social Work. Previously, she interned with the YWCA providing individual and couple counseling to Austin residents.

Karissa JobmaCollege Counseling Manager

Rosa MuñozJunior Seminar Counselor

Christopher PérezCollege Counseling Manager

Robert PerezKMSA Counselor (KIPP Middle School Alumni)

Robert hails from McAllen, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. After graduating with a degree in Psychology from Brown University, he served as a college advisor to high school students around Providence, Rhode Island. He eventually found his way back to Texas and into the classroom, most recently co-teaching seniors at KIPP Austin Collegiate. Recognizing the importance of post-secondary education, Robert jumped at the chance to join the KIPP Through College Team as an Alumni Counselor. He currently advises KIPP Texas Middle School Alumni at various high schools in the greater Austin area, ensuring all KIPP students have what they need to make it To and Through College!

Sarah Rebollar JacksonJunior Seminar Lead Counselor

Sarah has worked with the KIPP family for the last 5 years. She started off as a writing teacher for the 6th grade at KIPP Austin College Prep before making her way to the KIPP Through College team. While with KTC, she has worked on the persistence side at KIPP Austin Collegiate. Sarah is extremely excited and thankful to be starting a new year with a passionate team like KTC.

Ashley RiveraSenior Seminar Counselor

Katey RickertJunior Seminar Counselor

Jay SobhaniUFCS Manager of Research, Data and Innovation

Valencia SpencerRetention and Completion Specialist