LINK Welcomes Several New Staff Members
We are excited and proud to have welcomed a number of new staff to LINK in the last few months. Read on to learn more about our newest team members.
Dr. Janine Franklin, VP, Programs & Evaluation
Affectionately known as “Dr. J,” Janine Franklin is a DEI leader committed to educational equity in the city of Chicago. She joined LINK Unlimited Scholars after serving as Senior Director of Student Culture and Support for Noble Schools. Prior to joining Noble, she was the Associate Director of Pipeline Programs for the University of Chicago. Janine has also served as an Associate Board member for Chicago Scholars and Providence-St. Mel School and currently serves as a board member for The Chance Center. She is a Chicago Urban League IMPACT Fellow, a Surge Institute alumna, a 35 Under 35 honoree (Chicago Scholars), and a 40 Under 40 honoree (Black Women’s Professional League). Janine is a proud Badger (University of Wisconsin-Madison) and also holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Doctor of Philosophy from the Department of Education Policy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In her free time, Janine is a lover of travel, shoes, and live music.
Effina Jackson, Coordinator, Outreach & Scholar Support
Effina has experience in nonprofit administration, social services, project management, and international studies. Most recently, she worked with Progressive Beulah Pentecostal Church/Progressive Manor Community & Youth Center, where she offered social services, coordinated fundraising events and initiatives, assisted in donor relationship management, and oversaw five committees focused on grassroots community outreach. Effina holds a Bachelor of Science from Virginia State University and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from DePaul University.
Kyle Lewis, Scholar Support Associate
Kyle is a first-generation and low-income college graduate originally from Antioch, California. He attended Northwestern University (Class of 2021), where he studied Social Policy and Legal Studies. During undergrad, he spent his time as a mentor and counselor to first-generation and low-income students, as well as a peer educator and social justice workshop facilitator. Prior to joining LINK, he worked as a case manager at Chicago House and Social Services Agency, where he supported Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ as they transitioned from homelessness into permanent supportive housing.
Melinda McIntire, VP, Advancement
Melinda has been working in education and nonprofit spaces for more than 16 years, most recently at Noble Schools as the Director of Alumni Supports. She has extensive experience with grantmaking, fundraising, and scaling initiatives. Prior to Noble, Melinda lived in Los Angeles, where she worked as a Program Officer at ECMC Foundation and served as the fundraising chair on the Young Leadership Board of America Needs You. Melinda has also served in roles at Genesys Works Chicago and at Sigma Chi Foundation as the Associate Director of Development for Undergraduate Engagement and Annual Giving. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Arts from Bowling Green State University. Melinda resides on the near West side with her three dogs, Pipes, Oskee, and Clark, and spends her time cheering on her Illini and Cubs.
Marc Presley, Manager, Scholar Support
Marc is experienced in providing holistic student support in the educational arena. Most recently, he served as a Resident & Program Director at the University of Kentucky. He has also served as the lead advisor for the Black Male Leadership Initiative and Dana Mentoring Programs focused on first-year male retention at Berea College in Berea, KY. Marc holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southern Illinois University and is currently working to attain his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Kentucky. His passion area lies with providing a positive impact on the generations to come through holistic care and support. His life mission is to change the world one smile at a time. In his spare time, Marc enjoys competing in obstacle course races, roller skating, reading, and participating in personal dance parties.
Nicolas Tamborrel, Associate, Finance & Operations
Nicolas is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he studied Economics and International Studies. He has worked in business development and analysis for a Thai investment firm and as a finance associate supporting a Seattle-based nonprofit, where he helped manage program and department budgets, in-house accounting (including payroll, expense tracking, and AR/AP), and grant management.
Camielle Taylor, Managing Director, Scholar Support
Camielle is a first-generation American and college graduate. Her 10-year career has reached students of all ages (Pre-K to postsecondary) in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Chicago in her capacities as Spanish instructor, college/alumni counselor, instructional coach, educational consultant, and college access leader. Most recently, she served as the Dean of College and Postsecondary Planning at Butler College Prep, a Noble School. Camielle holds a B.S. in Education and Social Policy and Spanish from Northwestern University and a Master of Science in Secondary Education from Johns Hopkins University. She is a Teach For America Baltimore alumna and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Please join us in welcoming all of our new LINK Unlimited Scholars team members!
