Group: Professional Staff

Timya Jackson

Assistant Director of College Success

Associate Degree: General Studies from NVCC 
Undergraduate Degree: BS in Sports Management from George Mason University
Graduate Degree: MS in Higher Education Administration from Florida International University 

MS in Higher Education Administration from Florida International University.  

Timya currently serves as the Assistant Director of College Success. After earning her Master’s from Florida International University, Timya went on to be a resident director at Louisiana State University, a community director at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an assistant director of Transfer Programs at James Madison University before coming home to the Early Identification Program at George Mason.  

As Assistant Director of College Success, Timya oversees Strengthening the Family, the First2Lead: Leadership Conference, and Student Programming for Alexandria City, Falls Church, and Fairfax County.   

As a first-generation college student, Timya is passionate about the first-generation experience, engaging students, and providing opportunities for equal access to colleges and universities. Timya has dedicated her work to amplifying student voices and creating spaces for students of all backgrounds. In her free time, Timya enjoys trying new foods, exploring new places, and making new friends. 

Contact Timya: TJACKS17@gmu.edu

Aaron Muz

Assistant Director for College Readiness

Undergraduate: University of North Dakota, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 2014
Graduate: George Mason University, Masters of Public Administration

Aaron Muz currently serves as EIP’s Assistant Director for College Readiness. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of North Dakota, he has committed his career to creating educational opportunities for high school students.

He has worked in public schools in North Dakota, California, Florida, and now Virginia! Most recently, Aaron earned his Master of Public Administration from George Mason University with a concentration in nonprofit management. As Assistant Director, Aaron currently oversees STEM programming, college transitions, and student programming in Prince William, Manassas Park, Manassas City, and Arlington counties. Aaron is committed to EIP’s mission of college access for first generation students. He enjoys building a better program, and his work with the students, especially when all of our students are together at Summer Academy and STEM Fusion.

In his personal time, Aaron enjoys taking his dogs for walks with his wife and watching a good movie or TV show.

Contact Aaron: amuz@gmu.edu or 703-993-3120

Robert “Bob” Lavelle

Budget Specialist

Undergraduate: BS Information Systems Management (Computer applications) New York University 2008

Robert provides oversight of all areas of EIP funding, provides budget projections, assists with grant funding proposals, and provides HR and payroll support.

He worked at New York University in various administrative positions (payroll, facilities management, registrar, human resources) and at Columbia University in the Computer Science department. He has over 30 years’ experience in higher education, working in various areas of university administration.

He capitalizes on his experience making efficient use of our funding to the benefit of first-generation students.

He enjoys music, movies, and spending time with friends and family.

Contact Bob: rlavelle@gmu.edu or 703-993-3120

Jari Fofana

Operations Specialist

Undergraduate: George Mason University – Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) Program (in progress)

Jari Fofana serves as the Operations Specialist in the Early Identification Program. She was originally born in Sierra Leone, West Africa but raised in Alexandria, VA. She is an adult learner in the BIS program at George Mason University currently studying concentrations in Business and Communication with a minor in Sociology. Jari was selected as the 2017 Mason Faculty and Staff Book Scholarship award recipient. She enjoys volunteering at her local church and neighborhood, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Favorite quote – “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius

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

Khaseem Davis

Executive Director

Undergraduate: State University of New York at Buffalo, Bachelor of Arts, English, 2002
Graduate: State University of New York at Buffalo, Masters of Education, Higher Education & Student Affairs Administration, 2005
George Mason University, Doctor of Philosophy, Higher Education (In progress)

Khaseem Davis is a first-generation college graduate originally from Long Island City, New York. He serves as Executive Director of the Early Identification Program at George Mason University. Khaseem provides strategy, leadership, and executes program delivery to over 750 first generation college-bound students and their families throughout seven distinct public-school systems in Northern Virginia, along with 200 EIP alumni at George Mason University. Khaseem also serves as the co-director of the Youth Research Council, a program rooted in youth participatory research.

Mr. Davis has worked for organizations that promote equity and access throughout his career. With experience, spanning both higher education and the non-profit sector, Khaseem’s passion has been to help youth recognize and realize their potential, and access opportunities that will positively impact their self-image, educational aspirations, and social mobility.

Prior to serving as Executive Director, Khaseem served as the Coordinator of Student Success at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)- Manassas campus where he provided leadership in areas of recruitment to first-time to college, high school graduates. As a higher education professional Mr. Davis has experience in enrollment management, college access and success, housing, orientation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Prior to transitioning to higher education, Mr. Davis held several positions with non-profit organizations based in New London, Connecticut and Buffalo, New York.

Mr. Davis holds a Baccalaureate degree in English, and a master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs from The State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo). He is currently a doctoral candidate in Education, with a focus in higher education and education policy from George Mason University. Khaseem’s research interests include, but are not limited to:

• The evolution of the achievement gap in US education
• Youth leadership and development
• The role of Science Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in promoting social and economic mobility for First Generation college students.
• Policy, educational opportunity, and college access for low-income students of color
  Providing viable pathways to post-secondary education for formerly incarcerated students
• Interest convergence and its impact on creating or preventing opportunity for historically underrepresented groups
• The impact of college access and success programs on First-generation college bound students’ scholar identity
• The formation and operationalization of scholar identities for high achieving first generation college students and its role their successful in navigation of PWIs

Favorite quote – “In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned remain beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” Eric Hoffer

Contact Khaseem: kdavisi@gmu.edu or 703-993-3120