About us
Level Up is led by counselors, admissions advisors, military veterans, business owners and financial professionals who volunteer their time. Every student is matched with a pathway lead who knows that road personally.
Pillar 1
Garfield & Renita Smith, Mark Lewis, Pamela Simpson-Marshall
College list, essays, applications, financial aid, comparing offers.
Pillar 2
James Mackey
Transfer programs (ADT, TAG), course planning, FAFSA and enrollment.
Pillar 3
Micah & Vanita O'Neal
Branch comparison, ASVAB prep, MEPS screening, choosing a specialty.
Pillar 4
Tyrone Auston
Certification programs, campus visits, aid, applications and budgeting.
Pillar 5
Program staff
Idea to action, customer validation, a one-page business plan.
Pillar 6
Candice Mackey
Career assessment, three pathway intro workshops, a first-step plan.
Pastor George Thompson
Money habits, aid, budgets and stewardship for every pathway.
Shannon Lawrence
Service, leadership and knowing how to move in your community.
Pamela Simpson-Marshall
Families walk the process alongside their student.
College Admissions Advisor
Owner of a college admissions advisory business. Admissions experience at Berkeley and Harvard. Featured on ABC News for his financial aid work.
Family & Community Engagement Director, LAUSD
Essay-writing lead. Serves on the FCBC Scholarship Committee and in the Marriage and Family Ministry.
College Counselor, Crenshaw High School
Masters in Education Counseling and in Marriage and Family Therapy. Experience with community college, graduate school and vocational counseling.
High School & College Counselor, KIPP
Guides students through high school planning and the college transition.
College Counselor, LACES
Masters in Education Counseling. Experience in college counseling, advising, and as an admissions application reader for UCLA.
Military Pathway Lead
Earned her degrees through military enlistment. Two children attended HBCUs.
Military Pathway Lead
30 years in the USAF following enlistment. Retired from service and now works for a government contractor.
Independent College Advisor
College applications reviewer for a leading national public university. Leads parent and guardian guidance.
Strategy Consultant
College counseling experience and board service for K-12 institutions and educational non-profits.
Marketing
College counseling experience, board service for an educational non-profit, an LA Neighborhood Council and a liberal arts university.
High School Counselor, Da Vinci Schools
Masters in School Counseling from LMU. Essay-writing lead.
President, Trinity Contracting Concepts
Leads the trade and vocational pathway with employers in the skilled trades.
Government Relations Professional
Deputy Director of Internal City Operations. Founder and principal consultant, Inkwell Consulting Group LLC. Leads civic engagement.
Pastor of Stewardship & Financial Management, FCBC
Managing partner of Thompson Wealth Management, a registered investment advisory firm. Holds Series 6, 7, 63, 65 and 24 with life, health and disability licenses.