Group: Part Time Professional Staff

Sadia Basir

Title: Project Manager

Groups: Part Time Professional Staff

Sadia Basir

Project Manager

Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Graduate: Master of Science in middle school math education

With a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Science in middle school math education, Sadia joins the team as a Project Manager. Her drive and passion to ensure that every student has access to the resources needed to gain a transformative education lies at the heart of her work. Sadia has a diverse set of skills as she brings to EIP over 12 years’ experience as a classroom teacher, a member of her school’s leadership team, and a mentor teacher. She has provided and developed curricula training and most recently served as math department chair at Public Preparatory Network. When Sadia is not working, you will often find her enjoying photography, painting, traveling, or simply enjoying a cup of tea and a meal at her favorite restaurant.

Amanda Williams

Title: Student Support and Program Specialist 

Groups: Part Time Professional Staff

Amanda Williams

Student Support and Program Specialist

Undergraduate: Bachelor Degree in Social Work at George Mason University
Graduate: Pursuing Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health at George Mason University

Amanda Williams (Class of 2009 EIP alumna) is the Student Support and Program Specialist for the Early Identification Program. She obtained her Bachelor degree in social work at George Mason University and is currently pursuing her Counseling Master’s degree in clinical mental health.

As the Student Support and Program Specialist, Amanda plays an integral role in supporting the Academic Mentoring Program, summer programs, and alumni engagement. She is extremely passionate and excited to help establish and sustain professional network partnerships between current and former EIP students! 

She is an experienced education specialist with over 10 years of experience in the field as a teacher, administrator, and curriculum director.

Amanda is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. She serves her organization as the Public Relations Chair, curating weekly marketing content, and community service engagement opportunities to expand awareness of initiatives that impact the community at large. Part of her hobbies include indulging in personal development and self-care activities. From hiking trips, karaoke, and creating art, Amanda is on a constant search to channel her creative talents! 

Contact Jari: awillik@gmu.edu or 703-993-3120

Lauren Kelly

Lauren Kelly. Photo by: Creative Services/George Mason University

Title: Coordinator of Curriculum and Special Projects

Groups: Part Time Professional Staff

Lauren Kelly

Coordinator of Curriculum and Special Projects

Undergraduate: BA in English and Anthropology and A Secondary English Education Endorsement from The College of William and Mary
Graduate: M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from George Mason University.

Lauren Kelly is the Coordinator of Curriculum for EIP, designing and maintaining high programming standards for our academic, mentoring, and college success programs. She has a BA in English and anthropology and a secondary English education endorsement from The College of William and Mary and an M.Ed. in educational leadership from George Mason. 

Lauren has been an English teacher in both Fairfax and Loudoun counties and has been teaching with EIP since 2004. In her current role, Lauren creates and revises instructional materials and analyzes data to evaluate the effectiveness of our individual programs. As a whole-student program, a strong and evolving curriculum is critical in shaping our students’ academic success, socio-emotional health, and well-being. Through deliberate programming, we can level the field for our students and build a more just society. 

Outside of EIP, Lauren spends her time chauffeuring her three sons to sporting events, reading, hiking, and trying to find something her whole family will agree to watch together.  

“A rising tide lifts all ships.” 

CONTACT Genesis: lkelly4@gmu.edu

Laydy Margot Reyes

Title: Marketing Manager

Groups: Part Time Professional Staff

Laydy Margot Reyes

Marketing Manager

Undergraduate: Bachelor of Arts, Global Affairs and Minor in Business.

Laydy is the Marketing Manager for the Early Identification program. She manages the graphic design team and collaborates with staff on program marketing projects. As a first-generation college graduate and EIP program alumna, she considers herself fortunate to be a part of the team that assists the next generation of EIP students. She is enthusiastic about working in EIP because she can help promote and propel the program to the next level of recognition and growth. She previously worked as an office manager and then as a program coordinator for the program. Laydy has extensive administrative experience and a background in nonprofits and education. She has experience with website design and management.

She enjoys traveling, learning about the history of the area, interacting with the locals, and, of course, sampling different foods.

Contact Laydy: email lreyes3@gmu.edu or call 703-993-3120

Alejandra Vallejos

Title: Recruitment and Retention Specialist

Groups: Part Time Professional Staff

Alejandra Vallejos

Recruitment and Retention Specialist

Undergraduate: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Alejandra’s role entails conducting outreach to our participating schools by providing an overview of what EIP is and what services are available to incoming students. She assists in the management of nominations and the coordination of the application process, which includes application audits. Her role includes onboarding new schools into the EIP program as well as providing consistent outreach to families to support them throughout their first year of EIP. She also helps to keep all rosters up to date. 

She is passionate about her work because she believes that all students should have the opportunity to further their education. She genuinely enjoys meeting and talking with the students, as well as being a part of something that will have a significant impact on their lives. As a first-generation student herself, she is always eager to assist other first-generation students in obtaining the education they desire!

Alejandra began her professional career as an EIP Office Assistant and worked her way up to her current position over the course of four years. She is grateful to be in the position she is in now because of everything she is learning. 

She enjoys dancing! She adores animals and aspires to own a large enough home to house a variety of them. 

Contact Alejandra: avallejo@gmu.edu

Samantha Dawkins

Title: Data, Assessment, & Administrative Specialist

Groups: Part Time Professional Staff

Samantha Dawkins

Data, Assessment, & Administrative Specialist

Undergraduate: BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with A Concentration in Equity and Environmental Justice and a Minor in Nonprofit Studies

Samantha Dawkins works as EIP’s Data, Assessment, and Administrative Specialist, where she primarily focuses on the compilation and analysis of organizational and demographic data and provides essential administrative support to the program’s full-time professional staff. She graduated from George Mason University in December 2022 with a BA in environmental and sustainability studies with a concentration in equity and environmental justice and a minor in nonprofit studies. Samantha began her professional journey at the Early Identification Program in 2018 as a Front Office Assistant and has since worked in a variety of roles at the organization, developing her professional skills and knowledge of nonprofit management.

As an EIP alumna, she highly values working directly with the program that kindled her journey of academic achievement—giving back to the community that invested in her development and ensuring the same level of care, dedication, and empathy for EIP’s current students. Her professional achievements include being offered the opportunity to speak on behalf of EIP alumni at the fall 2022 Board of Visitors meeting and working as a program coordinator for the first annual First2Conserve program in partnership with HACU & Dominion Energy. Her interests include her favorite video games and everything sustainability!

Favorite quote – “If I’m worth anything later, I’m worth something now, For wheat is wheat, Even if people believe it is a grass in the beginning” – Pablo Picasso

Contact Samantha: email eip@gmu.edu with “Samantha” in the subject line or call 703-993-3120

Henna Lee

Title: Budget Consultant

Groups: Part Time Professional Staff

Henna Lee

Budget Consultant

Graduate Degree: MBA from George Washington University and BBA from College of William and Mary

Henna Lee worked at the World Bank Group for 30 years. Her accomplishments include managing the finance of a donor funded program (portfolio size over $100 million). This involved preparing financial reports and ensuring all expenses are compliant. She successfully managed the Korea Trust Fund for ICT for Development and played a key role in managing the relationship with the Ministry of Finance and Strategy of Korea and other stakeholders. She also oversaw day-to day treasury operations of International Finance Corporation (IFC) in addition to managing the relationship with commercials banks that participated in IFC’s syndicated loans. She has an MBA from George Washington University and BBA from College of William and Mary.

Contact Hanna: hlee82@gmu.edu or 703-993-3120