About us
Level Up is a faith-based ministry led by pastoral leaders, counselors, admissions advisors, military veterans, business owners and financial professionals who volunteer their time. Pathway Leads and other subject-matter experts provide specialized support. Advisor or Coach support is assigned based on student need and available capacity.
Pastoral Leadership
Level Up Co-Leads
Pathway Leads and Subject-Matter Experts
Beam Leads
Advisor or Coach, where applicable
Pathway 1
Pam Baker, Candice Mackey, Garfield & Renita Smith, Mark Lewis
College list, essays, applications, financial aid, comparing offers.
Pathway 2
James Mackey
Associate Degree for Transfer and Transfer Admission Guarantee programs, course planning, financial aid and enrollment.
Pathway 3
Program staff
Branch comparison, military aptitude test preparation, entrance processing and choosing a specialty.
Pathway 4
Tyrone Auston
Certification programs, campus visits, aid, applications and budgeting.
Pathway 5
Program staff
Idea to action, customer validation, a one-page business plan.
Pathway 6
Program staff
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.
Lead Vocational Track
Business leader, electrical contractor and professional development coach; President of Trinity Contracting Concepts and WIN to Succeed, LLC.
Co-Lead Four-Year College Pathway & Scholarship Team
High school counselor with a master's in School Counseling, Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential and College Counseling Certification; supports college and career readiness, academics and social-emotional development.
Civic Engagement Lead
Government relations professional; Deputy Director of Internal City Operations and founder/principal consultant of Inkwell Consulting Group.
College Admissions Advisor
President of Education Attainment Services; college counselor with admissions experience that includes UC Berkeley and Harvard.
Co-Lead Four-Year College Pathway
College counselor at LACES with a master's in Education Counseling; advising experience and former UCLA admissions application reader.
Scholarship Team
National Director, Black Scholars Professionals; mentoring perspective plus prior pastoral and healthcare experience.
Lead Two-Year College Pathway
College counselor at Crenshaw High School with graduate training in education counseling and marriage/family therapy; experience with community college, graduate and vocational pathways.
Parent / Guardian Lead & Scholarship Team
Independent college advisor and coaching specialist; undergraduate admissions application reviewer for a Top 10 public university; former Walt Disney Company executive.
FCBC Stewardship Coordinator
FCBC Stewardship Coordinator with project management, client services and wealth-management client liaison experience.
Level Up Co-Lead & Scholarship Team
Strategy consultant with college-counseling experience and service on educational nonprofit and child well-being foundation boards.
Level Up Co-Lead & Scholarship Team
Marketing executive with college-counseling experience and education/civic board service, including Colgate University and Mid-City Neighborhood Council.
Financial Literacy Lead
Founder/CEO of Thompson Wealth Management and FCBC Pastor of Stewardship & Financial Management; holds multiple securities and insurance licenses.