About Us

Summer Crenshaw is an executive and former tech startup founder whose core competencies include marketing, business development, and public relations. As a military spouse to a combat-disabled veteran, Summer has passionately advocated for military service members, veterans, and military families. She has worked in the tri-state area to promote programs that serve the local military community.

As a first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor in Communications from Miami University and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Liberty University, Summer has used her education in tandem with her passion for community development to support initiatives that bring change to the Cincinnati market.

After Summer spoke to the ChallengeU team about their mission and vision for ChallengeU Ohio Community School, she saw how it aligned with her passions. She felt that taking part in this initiative was “a natural fit.”

Bishop Maurice Daniels became a licensed minister in 1995. He has served in various roles in the ministry world. In 2010, he was appointed to serve as the Senior Pastor of his congregation. While serving as Pastor, he has balanced the responsibilities of being a counselor, life skills coach, and teacher.

An active member of the Cincinnati community, Bishop Daniel’s primary influence on his work is his personal life experiences, his concern for the progression of the community, and the support of those around him. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood and seeing the challenges firsthand, Bishop Daniels had this to say: “God has blessed me, and I want to see the same grace manifested in the youth today.”

He believes that an opportunity for grace to be displayed will be through the implementation of the ChallengeU Community School.

Juanita Edwards has been caring for children since 2008, providing nurturing and educational environments for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged kids in her home. She creates engaging lesson plans, prepares children for Head Start and Kindergarten, and actively participates in classroom activities. Additionally, Juanita serves as the Human Resources Manager at Prosperous Lawn Care, overseeing day-to-day operations and managing client interactions. With a passion for childcare and organizational skills, Juanita ensures both children and clients receive exceptional care and service.

Believing that every child deserves a second chance, Juanita is committed to the mission of ChallengeU and has joined the board of directors. She believes in providing opportunities for children to thrive and succeed, and is dedicated to supporting ChallengeU's efforts to make a positive impact in the lives of young people.

Sam Hairston Jr. has held work experience in the fields of sales, construction and transportation. Outside of his professional endeavors, Sam spends his time leading the men’s group at his local church. Sam is currently a CCO Certified Operator licensed in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. He received a Career Technology Diploma from Butler Technology & Career Development Schools in Hamilton, Ohio.

Sam reminds us of the value of trade schools and will provide a different lens to the eyes of ChallengeU students that are interested in pursuing trade certifications. For Sam, being a part of the board means “being a part of a group of change-makers.” He says, “I feel like everybody deserves a second chance. Anything that is geared towards drawing in the youth, I am here for it.”

Kalena Marie Robinson has over 30 years of experience in the medical field, serving as a health team leader, caseworker, disability and mental health team leader, and driving school owner. Kalena’s educational background includes Wilberforce University, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Technical and Community College, Brown Mackie College, Good Samaritan Hospital, and Children’s Hospital.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, with so many fond memories of her community, Kalena’s desire to see positive change in her city is deeply rooted. She believes that if she can positively impact just one person’s life by volunteering her time and providing resources or knowledge, that is a tremendous accomplishment.

She says, “I feel very blessed & honored to be part of ChallengeU. I’m honored to be a part of this new adventure that ChallengeU is bringing to Cincinnati, and together we all can make a difference.”

Nic is a serial social entrepreneur specialized in EdTech. Before his involvement in education, he founded three tech start-ups that were later acquired (CESART, CESCOM, I5). He owns mobile advertising patents, has written industry books, and has provided consulting services worldwide. In 2009, Nic started his education journey by founding the Mobilys Foundation, a charity financed by Google, banks, and the Government. The Foundation’s mission is to prevent students from dropping out of school by using social media to connect teachers, parents, and the community to support these students.

The Mobilys program is active in 160 schools. Since 2016, it has been paired with the ChallengeU program, and Nic has focused his dropout recovery program in partnership with public schools to build a better future for all communities.

Joël is a talented, experienced programmer and manager who has worked on several large, complex tech projects. He contacted ChallengeU in 2019 to get involved in the company because he wanted to make a difference in the lives of youth. He is now the CTO of ChallengeU, and he is building (along with his team) the best student dropout recovery technology.

Rebecca has over 7+ years of experience working in online schools for the state of Ohio, specializing in administrative roles. As an Enrollment Specialist and Testing Coordinator at ChallengeU, Rebecca brings a diverse skill set to assist students in the enrollment process and ensure a smooth transition into the program. Rebecca is also dedicated to creating a supportive environment for students during state testing, making sure they have access to quiet and safe locations for optimal performance. Currently pursuing her Master’s in Educational Leadership, Rebecca is passionate about helping students succeed and thrive in their academic journeys.

Marie-Pier, once a school dropout in her early years, brings a firsthand understanding of the challenges young people face daily. Having navigated various roles at ChallengeU, she now serves as a Consultant Management Specialist. Her responsibilities involve spearheading multiple projects and optimizing student enrollment processes for greater efficiency.

Erika has over 20 years of experience in various educational settings, including traditional and virtual environments. She has worked as a high school math teacher and school counselor. Erika is known for her compassionate, innovative, and inspiring approach to education, always putting students at the center. She is deeply dedicated to her students' success and addresses their holistic needs. Erika is passionate about establishing connections with her students and breaking down barriers to help them achieve academic success and build community ties. She earned her undergraduate degree from Ohio State University and her master's degree from John Carroll University. Go Bucks!

Billy has 14 years of experience working in the classroom and/or on the coaching field, empowering his students across a variety of different settings in the real world. As a devoted advocate to disadvantaged youth, Billy is an optimist to the core and believes in a student-centric approach when framing his educational success. A proud alumnus of The Ohio State University and a lifelong resident of Ohio, Billy is passionate about public service in his community and helping others build a better future.

Karen has over 30 years of experience in the Criminal Justice field, where she has dedicated her career to helping individuals make better life choices. As a graduation coach at ChallengeU, Karen is passionate about empowering students with the tools they need to succeed. She combines her deep understanding of human behavior with her commitment to education, helping students navigate challenges and realize their potential.

Having spent 4 years working in various school districts in throughout Ohio, Logan is passionate about connecting with students and families to help reduce barriers that may limit a student’s ability to succeed. As a school counselor for ChallengeU, Logan will help students discover more about themselves, their interests, strengths, and weaknesses and ultimately help them reach their goals. A Baldwin Wallace graduate who completed his bachelor's degree in Psychology along with playing football for the Yellow Jackets, Logan later pursued and earned a Master's degree in school counseling at Heidelberg University. Logan is also a football coach at Barberton High School, helping students not only remotely achieve their goals, but also on the gridiron.

Born into a family of educators, Amy has spent the last 15+ years both in and out of the classroom. She brings a lifelong love of learning to ChallengeU. A parent of an online learner, she understands the challenges both in front of and behind the screen. Amy looks forward to working with both students and their parents. A Miami University graduate, she is energized by challenge and looks forward to helping ChallengeU students navigate their path to SUCCESS!

Devin, a graduate of a dropout prevention online high school herself, understands firsthand the challenges young teens face while trying to complete their education against the odds. As an Administrative Assistant at ChallengeU, Devin plays a key role in supporting the team by assisting with various tasks, including obtaining transcripts and maintaining student records. Devin’s background gives her a unique perspective, motivating her to support students as they navigate challenges and work toward achieving their educational goals. In her free time, Devin really enjoys teaching her 1 year old new things and loves to go on motorcycle rides!

Mark Bray brings over two decades of IT support expertise to ChallengeU, complemented by a diverse background in printing, graphic design, music production, and web development. His extensive experience in both in-person and remote support ensures that students and counselors receive top-notch assistance for all their needs. Originally from Indiana and having lived on both coasts, Mark now calls Ohio home. In his free time, he enjoys exploring local parks, skateboarding, and creating music and art.

Deborah is an experienced educator, administrator, and spreadsheet fanatic! Her educational background is TESOL (teaching English to Speakers or Other Languages), and she has experience teaching students 3yo to 60+. Deborah is passionate about creating inclusive learning environments where students from all backgrounds and cultures can thrive. She is currently pursing a data analytics certificate so she can crunch even more numbers! 

When not working, Deborah enjoys reading, writing, and cuddling with her two cats, Sam and Priscilla.

Combining over 85 years of experience, Elizabeth, who has spent the past seven years serving students as a school counselor, is thrilled to transition her passion for student advocacy and building connections to the role of a graduation coach. In this new role, she will continue to empower students to stay engaged and achieve their educational goals, especially those facing unique obstacles. She received her undergraduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University and master's degree from the University of Memphis.

In Elizabeth's free time, she enjoys attending comedy shows, relaxing on her porch, and supporting her hometown's NBA team, the Memphis Grizzlies. Grit and Grind!

Katie graduated from Wright State University with a teaching license in Early Childhood Education, then got her Masters degree as an Intervention Specialist in order to further help students reach their academic goals.  She has been an Intervention Specialist for 10 years, teaching high school, middle school and elementary school in both virtual and traditional (brick and mortar) settings.  She is excited to work with high schoolers and help them reach graduation.  Katie looks forward to witnessing students' growth and accomplishments as they graduate and move forward to become independent, productive adults.

In her free time, Katie enjoys being outside--kayaking, hiking, sitting by a campfire, or just reading a book.  She also spends a lot of time with her stepkids, who are in involved in several sports year-round.