advisors

GRASP Financial Aid Advisors, part-time professionals, are the heartbeat

of the program. Advisors connect with students and parents, regardless of

financial circumstances, and confidentially assist them in overcoming challenges

to the goal of higher education. Advisors are skilled at navigating

the processes of obtaining college financial aid, scholarships, and making post-

secondary educational plans a reality.

Advisors are typically available one day a week, through high school counseling departments or career centers, to meet with students, parents or guardians. Your GRASP Financial Aid Advisor will help you with:

* The Free Application for Federal Student Aid ("FAFSA")

* Scholarships

* Special Circumstances

* Defining a process to make your post secondary education goals a reality

Advisors come from many professional fields: schoolteachers, guidance counselors, psychologists, social workers, the Marines, financial aid officers, entrepreneurs, business executives and attorneys. Many of our advisors have been a part GRASP for several years.

For more information about the advising program at your school, or the possibility of having a GRASP advisor at your school, contact Bettsy Heggie, Chief Executive Officer, at bheggie@grasp4virginia.com or 804-527-7717 or Karen Doran, Chief Operating Officer, at kdoran@grasp4virginia.com or 804-527-7785.

Helping today's youth grasp infinite opportunties

SCROLL DOWN TO FIND YOUR SCHOOL

GRASP's Financial Aid Advisors are the heartbeat of the program

Our GRASP Schools and Venues

Armstrong High School

Susan Teerlink is a graduate of Brigham Young University. She has filled out the FAFSA and CSS Profile for over 200 students,as well as for her own children. Susan also teaches an Application Boot Camp at James Madison University every summer. She has nine years of experience helping parents and students with the financial aid and application process through her work with a for-profit organization operating in the western part of Virginia. She has four daughters and has gone through the college application and financial aid process with three of them.

Atlee High School

Patti Feyerabend earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Virginia. She currently works part-time as a Special Events Coordinator fro Hanover Arc. Prior to this, she was a Student Lending Customer Service Manager for Crestar Bank. Patti has been active in a variety of volunteer positions, including PTA, Homeowners Association and the Atlee Little League Challenger Division. She has two children at Chickahominy Middle School. Patti is very excited to assist students and their families in achieving their educational goals.

Bath County High School

Our GRASP advisor for Highland County High School, Renee Vandevander, graduated from Mary Baldwin College with an undergraduate degree in Studio Art and Creative Writing. Renee is an alumna of Highland High School and is looking forward to helping the students in her hometown understand the importance of a college education. Renee was the first in her family to obtain a college degree and is ready to help others achieve that same goal. Her past experience includes participating in the work study program at the Mary Baldwin College theatre department and leading a writing group for middle school students.

Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond

Daniel Wiley, previously an intern at GRASP, is the college advisor at the Boy's and Girls Club. He attended George Washington High School in Danville, VA. During his tenure at George Washington High School, he played Junior Varsity and Varsity Basketball, was part of a boxing team, and was a member of member of the Honor Society. Also, while attending high school he received multiple Scholastic Art Awards and attended Boys State Virginia held at Liberty University. After high school he attended the University of Virginia, and received his Bachelors of Arts in History in 2008. During his years at the University of Virginia he was involved in Junior Varsity Basketball, as well as helping the UVA women's basketball team. He is presently in school taking post-baccalaureate courses and working towards a certificate in accounting.

Buckingham High School

Laurie Deadrick is beginning her third year with the GRASP team. She has been a stay at home mom and childcare provider for over 20 years. She is married and has one daughter who attends Radford University, and one who just graduated from there. Laurie is a strong supporter of education and wants every student to have the opportunity to go to college. Through her own experience she knows how challenging it can be to get through the college application and scholarship forms. Laurie wants to help each student realize that by making the investment in themselves now will bring so many rewards in their future.

Buffalo Gap High School

Sara Botkin received her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science at Bridgewater College. She worked as a computer technician throughout college and two years afterwards. While working, she received her Education Degree from Mary Baldwin College. Sara then began teaching at Buffalo Gap High School, where she taught Geometry and AP Calculus for four years. After the arrival of her first child in October, 2009, she decided to be a stay-at-home mom.

Dinah Gottschalk is in her first year at Buffalo Gap. A Certified Public Accountant, she retired in 2004 from James Madison University, where she taught accounting for 22 years. Outside of the classroom, her service to James Madison University included active leadership in the Faculty Senate and numerous roles in academic advising. Dinah also taught in community college early in her career. She has consulted with the Dept. of the Navy and with JMU’s Mine Action Information Center. Currently, Dinah works for an accounting firm during tax season. She serves on the Board of Valley Hope Counseling Center, an agency that provides low-fee counseling services to the residents of the central Blue Ridge area. Dinah earned her Bachelor’s degree from UVA and an MBA from JMU. Dinah lives in Waynesboro with her husband, Kurt.

Charles City High School

Lisa Herbert is a graduate of Midlothian High School and holds a B.A. in Education from Virginia Tech. She taught Eighth Grade science in Henrico County before focusing on her job as a “stay at home mom”. She’s been active in the PTA and schools ever since. She’s also been active in literacy training though her work as a Phenematic Awareness Literacy Trainer for Chesterfield County. More recently, Lisa has been a PTA officer and Scholarship Chairman for Matoaca High School. Lisa is entering her third year with GRASP.

Chesterfield Community

Bonnie Reynolds hails from Chesterfield County; served 3-years in the US Navy during the Vietnam War era; did some G.I. Bill college in 2 states; and became a State Police officer while working for DMV as a field service representative. Having met and married an industrial engineer from Boston suburbs their first 4 daughters were born near the Ark/Mo line and the 5th arrived after returning to Chesterfield. Bonnie became a stay-at-home mom at age 31 when she brought home that firstborn child. Most of her activities evolve around her family and church family. With a strong constitution of work and patience Bonnie; as a wife, mother, grandmother, and self-employed with a cleaning business, appreciates being part of GRASP’s mission to help aspire students to post high school education. As a GRASP advisor Bonnie has worked in 3 Richmond and 5 Chesterfield schools.

Chesterfield Technical Center

Clover Hill High School

Sandra Morgan, a career teacher, is a cum laude graduate of Longwood University. Recently retired from Chesterfield County Public Schools, Sandi taught work and family studies in middle schools early in her career, and for the past 11 years, technical communications at Chesterfield Technical Center. As department chairman at Swift Creek Middle School, Sandi wrote and implemented a grant for a class in career skills and planning strategies which became a model for middle school curricula. As a technical communications teacher, Sandi taught communication skills, critical thinking, teamwork and problem solving, as well as life skills to improve student’s job prospects, such as tax filing, handling of credit and workplace ethics. Sandi is enthusiastic about coming to GRASP “to continue to use her teaching experience and communication skills to teach and promote career and education opportunities to students and parents. “

Cosby High School

Karen Doran has been the GRASP advisor for Cosby High School since Cosby first had a senior class. She is also the Chief Operating Officer for GRASP. Mrs. Doran holds her undergraduate degree from Duke University and graduate degrees from both Boston College (MSW) and the University of Virginia (JD). Prior to becoming involved in secondary education, Mrs. Doran was the clinical director of a mental health center and later practiced law at a major Richmond firm. She has held numerous volunteer positions with a variety of community organizations, including being the president of both elementary and middle school PTAs, president of the athletic booster club of a high school, and a member of the Board of Trustees of her church. She is very active with the Duke Alumni Association and as an advisor for the collegiate chapter of her sorority at the University of Richmond. Mrs. Doran has worked as a substitute teacher for Henrico County and has been a SOL tutor at Douglas Freeman High School. She has three children, all of whom have graduated from Duke, so she is personally familiar with the challenges that families face in funding college education.

Cumberland High School

Deep Run High School

Ronda Zukowsky earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and a Masters of Science degree in Education from West Virginia University. She served as a compensation analyst for Wheat First Securities and, prior to that, taught high school in Henrico County. She currently holds a teaching licensure and enjoys substituting. Ronda is an active volunteer in the community and has served on on PTA, Homeowners Association, and church education boards. She has been a GRASP advisor for 6 years and enjoys meeting with parents and students in guiding them through the process. She and her husband have two daughters who attend Henrico County Schools.

Fort Defiance High School

Maureen Kelly is originally from Staunton, VA and has lived there the past forty years. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton and then from the University of Virginia. Maureen is teacher who took some time off to have two children and then returned to teaching when the younger entered kindergarten. She taught at Stuarts Draft Middle School and then Stuarts Draft High School for thirty years, retiring in 2009. She now has three grandchildren who are 2, 5 and 6 years old. Maureen and her husband love to travel, and have had numerous adventures over the years. She is now excited about helping students at Fort Defiance High School with the process of financial aid.

Franklin Military Academy

Paula Buckley, a University of Virginia graduate and retired United States Marine Corps officer, worked in financial management, protocol, and public affairs during her military career. Since her retirement in 2001, she worked at her church preschool, as a substitute teacher for Henrico County Public Schools, and as a Girl Force Instructor at the Tuckahoe YMCA. She is now the GRASP advisor for Northstar Academy, Franklin Military Academy, and Richmond Open High School. Paula enjoys working with students and is eager to help them realize their post-secondary dreams. Paula is also very active at her church, Trinity Lutheran, she helps out at her children's schools, and she enjoys spending time exercising both at home and at the YMCA.

Freeman High School

Janet Andrews is thrilled to be “coming home” to Freeman High School as a GRASP advisor: her three children are DSF alumni and now college graduates. Janet has worked part time in the GRASP office since January 2011, coordinating various outreach programs and administering scholarships. Prior to that, she volunteered for GRASP and other community organizations. She advocated for students and families for 25 years as a PTA board member and school volunteer while raising her children, and has had a heart for those in the college process since shepherding her own children through college, scholarship, and FAFSA applications. She graduated from Salem College with a BA in English. She is an avid reader of good fiction and college guide books, and enjoys walking, swimming and hiking.

George Wythe High School

Phenie Golatt has been a GRASP advisor for 6 years. Prior to joining GRASP, she was Director of Financial Aid at Virginia Union University for more than 20 years. She retired from Virginia Union University in October 2006. Mrs. Golatt received her training in financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education and State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. She received additional training from the United Negro College Fund, the College Board, National Association of Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), District of Columbia Washington, D.C, and United Student Aid, Indianapolis, Indiana. She has been a financial aid administrator at colleges in North Carolina and Virginia. She has conducted financial aid workshops for parents and students in the state for more than 20 years. Mrs. Golatt received a B.S. in Business Education from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She has done post graduate studies at NC Central University, NC State University, and Virginia Tech.

Glen Allen High School

Godwin High School

Goochland High School

Laurie is a strong supporter of education and wants every student to have the opportunity to go to college. Through her own experience she knows how challenging it can be to get through the college application and scholarship forms. Laurie wants to help each student realize that by making the investment in themselves now will bring so many rewards in their future.

Hanover High School

Anne Michie enjoys serving as the GRASP advisor at Hanover High School. Anne received both a B.A. in Philosophy and a J.D. from the University of Virginia. She has worked for almost twenty years for the Commonwealth of Virginia, specifically at the Department of Education and at the Virginia State Bar. She has served as a community leader, in roles such as PTA President and Board Chair of a local adoption agency. One of her primary responsibilities at the Department of Education was speaking one-on-one with parents of children with disabilities to assist those parents to understand and utilize the very complicated world of special education regulations. A mother of two school-aged children, Anne particularly enjoys working together with students and parents to help families have the best possible educational opportunities.

Henrico High School

Miriam Tice enjoys working with high school students and their parents and helping them understand the financial aid “ropes.” This will be her 4th year as a GRASP advisor at Henrico High School. She is a former PTA president and has served as a Sunday school teacher at her church for the past 17 years. Other volunteer roles including serving as president of her neighborhood women's organization and as chair of her church's annual parish retreat. Miriam and her husband have two children, not yet of college age. Miriam graduated, with a B.S. degree, Cum Laude, from Virginia Commonwealth University, “more than a few years back.” She is a Dale Carnegie Course graduate.

Hermitage High School

Donielda Tripp-Leino joined GRASP in the fall of 2009, bringing prior working knowledge as a Financial Aid Counselor at Virginia Commonwealth University/MCV campus. While completing her master's degree in Adult Education at VCU, she worked as a graduate assistant in financial aid. Thanks to a graduate grant and work-study program, Donielda was able to complete her degree without accumulating enormous debt. After leaving VCU, Donielda joined the Department of Motor Vehicles Office of Development and Training as a Training Specialist. While there, she helped DMV personnel to improve upon their resume writing and interviewing skills which, in turn, helped employees obtain their aspirations to move up the career ladder. Donielda advanced within DMV to become a Human Resources Generalist. Over the last few years, she has served in various capacities on the Crestview Elementary School's PTA (most recently as PTA President ), worked part-time as a recruiter for VDOT, served as a committee member on the Henrico County Re-Districting Project, and substituted for Henrico County Schools. Favorite activities, besides having quality family time, include swimming, running, tennis, walking her two dogs, and reading.

Hermitage Technical Center

Donielda Tripp-Leino joined GRASP in the fall of 2009, bringing prior working knowledge as a Financial Aid Counselor at Virginia Commonwealth University/MCV campus. While completing her master's degree in Adult Education at VCU, she worked as a graduate assistant in financial aid. Thanks to a graduate grant and work-study program, Donielda was able to complete her degree without accumulating enormous debt. After leaving VCU, Donielda joined the Department of Motor Vehicles Office of Development and Training as a Training Specialist. While there, she helped DMV personnel to improve upon their resume writing and interviewing skills which, in turn, helped employees obtain their aspirations to move up the career ladder. Donielda advanced within DMV to become a Human Resources Generalist. Over the last few years, she has served in various capacities on the Crestview Elementary S's PTA (most recently as PTA President ), worked part-time as a recruiter for VDOT, served as a committee member on the Henrico County Re-Districting Project, and substituted for Henrico County Schools.

Highland High School

Highland Springs High School

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Retsy Kitchen graduated from Texas A&M University in Kingsville, Texas, and then set off with her husband, Paul, for Rota, Spain. Three years and one child later, they returned to Richmond, Virginia, where they have happily raised four children – all of whom have attended Henrico County Public Schools. Retsy’s children-two sons, two daughters- followed one another to the United States Naval Academy and are commissioned officers in the Navy and Marine Corps. She has worked in Henrico County Public Schools for six years and feels privileged to be part of the GRASP family, serving Varina, Highland Springs and Highland Springs Tech Center.

Highland Springs Technical Center

Hopewell High School

Sarah Prior grew up in the Richmond area and graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. Later, she attended graduate school at the University of Richmond, The University of Northern Iowa, and Virginia Commonwealth University. She taught English and French in Chesterfield County for more than thirty years. The mother of two children, she helped them through the financial aid labyrinth. From that experience, she realizes the value of having people knowledgeable with the process to help high school seniors realize their dreams of higher education and is looking forward to her 2nd year as the GRASP advisor at Hopewell.

Huguenot High School

As an advisor for GRASP, Rise Nelson brings a variety of professional and personal experiences to the position. A first generation college student herself, she holds a BS degree from Radford College (University). A youth advocate, Rise has enjoyed working in positions that have afforded her the opportunity to touch the lives of young people. She has worked with delinquent youth through United Methodist Family Services; provided financial aid, academic and personal counseling for first generation/low income college students through the Student Support Services Program at VUU; and taught kindergarten and first grade at Richmond Preparatory Christian Academy and taught history at 7 Hills Middle School for Boys. An active member of her church she serves in various ministries. Married to a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who also serves as an administrator for an alternative education program, she is the mother of three sons (all currently enrolled in college). Rise knows first hand the significance of helping students explore academic opportunities beyond high school and assisting students and parents in finding financial resources to turn dreams into realities.

James River High School

Ronda Zukowsky earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and a Masters of Science degree in Education from West Virginia University. She served as a compensation analyst for Wheat First Securities and, prior to that, taught high school in Henrico County. She currently holds a teaching licensure and enjoys substituting. Ronda is an active volunteer in the community and has served on on PTA, Homeowners Association, and church education boards. She has been a GRASP advisor for 5 years and enjoys meeting with parents and students in guiding them through the process. She and her husband have two daughters who attend Henrico County Schools.

John Marshall High School

Joyce King, the new advisor for John Marshall High School, has professional experience in college planning, counseling , tutoring and peer training. She currently tutors in Richmond Public Schools, providing academic help and encouragement to disadvantaged students. For three years prior to this, Joyce was the assistant director of a for-profit college planning and financial aid service. Her focus was “helping students and families to get through the college years in the best financial shape possible.” Joyce has served the Hanover County Community Services Board as a mental health assessor and counselor in the adolescent substance abuse program. She is affiliated with the Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International-ChiSigma. Joyce earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from VCU and her Masters in Allied Health from MCV

JR Tucker High School

LC Bird High School

Before moving to Chesterfield from New York state four years ago, Kelly Langan-Dyer mentored college students, a position she describes as her “dream job.” As a case manager in student support services for Suffolk County Community College, Kelly coached students in overcoming class, social and cultural barriers to higher education. She worked closely with students to identify education goals and learning needs, developing and implementing support plans for each student. A professional peer wrote that Kelly brought enthusiasm, empathy, energy and patience to her work as counselor and adviser to her community college students. In addition to counseling, Kelly has professional background in banking and interview assessments. She is mother to two young children and volunteers in their schools; she is active in and treasurer of the MOMs club of Chester, Va. Kelly has a BA in Psychology from St. Joseph’s College and a MS in School Counseling, from Long Island University.

Lee Davis High School

Anne Michie received both a B.A. in Philosophy and a J.D. from the University of Virginia. She has worked for almost twenty years for the Commonwealth of Virginia, specifically at the Department of Education and at the Virginia State Bar. She has served as a community leader, in roles such as PTA President and Board Chair of a local adoption agency. One of her primary responsibilities at the Department of Education was speaking one-on-one with parents of children with disabilities to assist those parents to understand and utilize the very complicated world of special education regulations. A mother of two school-aged children, Anne particularly enjoys working together with students and parents to help families have the best possible educational opportunities.

Maggie Walker Governor's School

Susan Teerlink is a graduate of Brigham Young University. She has filled out the FAFSA and CSS Profile for over 200 students,as well as for her own children. Susan also teaches an Application Boot Camp at James Madison University every summer. She has eight years of experience helping parents and students with the financial aid and application process through her work with a for-profit organization operating in the western part of Virginia. Susan is excited to work as the GRASP advisor for Maggie Walker. She has four daughters.

Manchester High School

Matoaca High School

Meadowbrook High School

Paula Powell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education at Virginia Tech. Being a first generation college graduate, the importance of an education beyond high school was firmly ingrained in her value system at an early age. She is the mother of two daughters, one a college graduate of George Mason University and the other an undergraduate student at New York University. Paula joined the GRASP organization in January, 2006. She was formerly employed by a Fortune 500 Company for over 26 years, concentrating in the financial and marketing aspects of the business. She has personally dealt with FAFSA for the last 4 years and will be continuing to do so, while her youngest daughter is in college.

Midlothian High School

Kathy Davis earned her B.A. in English and M.B.A. at Vanderbilt University. She worked for 20 years in hospital management and consulting before going back to school to earn an M.F.A. in creative writing from Virginia Commonwealth University. As adjunct faculty at VCU, she taught writing and rhetoric and business writing classes, and she especially enjoyed working with incoming freshmen. In addition to being a GRASP advisor, Kathy works as a freelance writer and currently edits the alumni magazine for the Medical College of Virginia. She volunteers with a coalition of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, the Library of Virginia, Chop Suey Books, and the New Virginia Review on the Fresh Ink series, which brings promising new writers to Richmond to share their work. One of her sons is a recent graduate of Reed College in Portland, Oregon and the other is attending Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fl. She remembers the college application process as an exciting time and is enthusiastic about helping other students realize their goals for continuing their education.

Monacan High School

Nelson County High School

In her career as an educator, Carol Lemons has taught pre-school, art education and kindergarten in Richmond, Va. She writes children's books about artists and enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren. Carol has worked with low-income, at risk students in several different programs in downtown Richmond. Now living in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, she hikes, bikes, plays tennis and enjoys traveling with her husband, Don. Carol looks forward to working with high school students to help them achieve their goals for higher education. She earned a BA from University of Maryland and teacher certification from VCU.

New Kent High School

Having navigated the maze of college applications and financial aid for her own sons, in both large public university and small private college, Eutanaha Fluker offers her personal experience as a path to parent-friendly and student-friendly communication. With a Bachelor of Science in Education from Auburn University, Eutanaha has worked in Henrico County PTA initiating, developing, and coordinating parent volunteer programs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Eutanaha spends her free time volunteering with Eastern Henrico FISH and directing missions at her church. Eutanaha is entering her 14th year as a GRASP advisor and is committed to making your continuing education process less stressful.

Northstar Academy

Paula Buckley, a University of Virginia graduate and retired United States Marine Corps officer, worked in financial management, protocol, and public affairs during her military career. Since her retirement in 2001, she worked at her church preschool, as a substitute teacher for Henrico County Public Schools, and as a Girl Force Instructor at the Tuckahoe YMCA. She is now the GRASP advisor for Northstar Academy, Franklin Military Academy, Richmond Open High School and the GRASP College Success Program. Paula especially enjoys her time spent with Northstar Academy students because it is a small school, and she is able to meet and get to know all of the juniors and seniors. She is eager to learn how to better serve students with disabilities so they can achieve their dreams after high school. Paula is also very active at her church, Trinity Lutheran, she helps out at her children's schools, and she enjoys spending time exercising both at home and at the YMCA.

Patrick Henry High School

Mila Spaulding has been employed by GRASP since 1990 as a Scholarship Administrator and since 2005 as the GRASP Counselor at Patrick Henry High School in Ashland, Virginia. In addition to her employment with GRASP, she is also the Chapter Executive of the Financial Planning Association of Central Virginia. Mila is married to Keith Spaulding, and they have three children. She received a B.S. in Business Administration from Georgia Southern University.

Petersburg High School

Powhatan High School

Karen Norsworthy is the GRASP advisor at Powhatan High School. Having received her BA degree in English from the College of William and Mary, she then earned her Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has been a licensed teacher/administrator since her college graduation. She has taught English in Newport News, Henrico, and Powhatan and also served as the Talented and Gifted Coordinator in Powhatan. Within the community Mrs. Norsworthy has held numerous volunteer positions with the American Cancer Society, the Junior Woman's Club, the Elizabeth Kates Foundation at the Virginia Correctional Center for Women, and served as Powhatan's Christmas Mother in 2001. She has been involved with GRASP for 16 years as a financial aid advisor and trainer, and is also the facilitator for the Powhatan High Schools That Work grant from the state. She and her husband have one daughter and one granddaughter.

Prince George High School

Jay Costello recently retired from Clements junior High School (grades 8 & 9), Prince George County Schools, and prior to that worked at Prince George High School for four years. Before entering his career in education, as a high school guidance counselor, he served 24 years as an Army officer beginning during the Vietnam era and retiring from that career in September 1993. He completed his undergraduate at St. Peters College Jersey City, NJ in June 1968 and his Masters in Education (Guidance & Psychology) at the University of Texas at El Paso,TX in June 1976. An additional 24 hours was completed at VCU so that he could be certified as a guidance counselor with the state of VA from K through grade 12. Presently, he does volunteer work with the Prince George school system and St. Joseph's school in Petersburg, VA. Jay and his wife (Kathy) are also actively supporting their three children with baby sitting for their grandchildren.

Richmond Adult Career Development Center

Howard Price enjoys working with kids of all ages. He recently retired for New Kent County Schools where he spent the past 35 years as a school counselor. Howard holds both bachelors and master’s degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University. Howard has been working with GRASP and its advisors for many years through New Kent High School. In addition, he has worked with the State Council of Higher Education actively promoting Super Saturday Financial Aid Programs. Howard also coordinated a Big/Little Reading Program in conjunction with New Kent Elementary School which paired students at New Kent High School with elementary school students to help build reading skills and a love of learning. In addition, Howard serves as a GED examiner for the City of Richmond and is an Assessment Specialist with the Middle Peninsulas Adult Education Program. This year Howard is the GRASP financial aid advisor at the Richmond Adult Career Development Center and the Virginia Home for Boys and Girls preparing participants for post secondary education and negotiating the financial aid process. He is excited about his role with GRASP!

Richmond Community High School

Richmond Open High School

Paula Buckley, a University of Virginia graduate and retired United States Marine Corps officer, worked in financial management, protocol, and public affairs during her military career. Since her retirement in 2001, she worked at her church preschool, as a substitute teacher for Henrico County Public Schools, and as a Girl Force Instructor at the Tuckahoe YMCA. She is now the GRASP advisor for Northstar Academy, Franklin Military Academy, Richmond Open High School and the GRASP College Success Program. Paula enjoys working with students and is eager to help them realize their post-secondary dreams. Paula is also very active at her church, Trinity Lutheran, she helps out at her children's schools, and she enjoys spending time exercising both at home and at the YMCA.

Richmond Technical Center

Riverheads High School

Dana Painter is very excited to be returning for her second year as the GRASP advisor at Riverheads. Through her own experience Dana knows how challenging it can be to get through the college application and scholarship forms. Dana utilized all financial aid sources available when she triple majored in Business Administration, Human Resource/Labor Relations and Operations Management from the University of Iowa and then several years later Dana received another BS in Accounting from Bluefield College. Dana is a firm believer in the benefits of a higher education and looks forward to helping others realize their dreams of earning a college degree.

Dinah Gottschalk is in her first year at Riverheads. A Certified Public Accountant, she retired in 2004 from James Madison University, where she taught accounting for 22 years. Outside of the classroom, her service to James Madison University included active leadership in the Faculty Senate and numerous roles in academic advising. Dinah also taught in community college early in her career. She has consulted with the Dept. of the Navy and with JMU’s Mine Action Information Center. Currently, Dinah works for an accounting firm during tax season. She serves on the Board of Valley Hope Counseling Center, an agency that provides low-fee counseling services to the residents of the central Blue Ridge area. Dinah earned her Bachelor’s degree from UVA and an MBA from JMU. Dinah lives in Waynesboro with her husband, Kurt .

Robert E. Lee High School

Cindy Didawick received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Bridgewater College, and her M.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University in Integrated Math and Science. A career education, Cindy worked for 30 years with the Staunton City Schools before retiring in 2007. During the course of her teaching career, Cindy received numerous awards for her teaching. Cindy is a believer in the value of post-secondary education and is looking forward to working with high school students as a GRASP financial aid advisor.

Stuarts Draft High School

Mary Cunningham earned an associate degree in medical laboratory technology from community college; ten years later, she graduated from the Wharton School of business of the University of Pennsylvania. She went on to earn a masters in training and development from St. Joseph's University. Mary's professional career spans 20 years in a variety of fields, including healthcare, pharmaceutical development, financial services and adult education, training and development. Mary has long been an advocate and mentor for the young people and students of Nelson County. She was for 12 years a leader in the Virginia Skyline Girl Scout Council, and was instrumental in doubling the number of troops in the rural area. She is a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteer, working with the courts to develop plans for placement and services for children in crisis and their families. In addition, Mary assists in GED classrooms in the Adult Learning Center in Charlottesville. Mary was recently elected to the Nelson County School Board. She lives in Afton, Va, and is the mother of an 18 year old son, a senior at Nelson High School, and a 20 year old daughter who attends Smith College.

Thomas Dale High School

Donna Woods is a former counselor/teacher with Chesterfield County schools. She has worked at the high school level for over fifteen years and over twenty years at the elementary level. Donna also has a thorough knowledge of testing procedures as required by the Educational Testing Program and the Commonwealth of Virginia. She has worked extensively with the assessment of gifted students and has trained and supervised peer mentors both at the high school level and elementary levels. Donna has also worked for ten years as a writer and assessor for the Virginia Department of Social Services specializing in daycare licensure requirements. She is a mother of two children both of whom attended Virginia community colleges as well as four year institutions. She has her undergraduate degree from Millersville College in Pennsylvania and her M.Ed. from Virginia Commonwealth University. Donna is very excited to be part of the GRASP advisors and is thrilled to be able to assist students in making an easier transition into the next stage of their education. She enjoys theater, traveling, outdoor activities and spending time with her family and friends.

Thomas Jefferson High School

Varina High School

Virginia Home for Boys and Girls

Howard Price enjoys working with kids of all ages. He recently retired for New Kent County Schools where he spent the past 35 years as a school counselor. Howard holds both bachelors and master’s degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University. Howard has been working with GRASP and its advisors for many years through New Kent High School. In addition, he has worked with the State Council of Higher Education actively promoting Super Saturday Financial Aid Programs. Howard also coordinated a Big/Little Reading Program in conjunction with New Kent Elementary School which paired students at New Kent High School with elementary school students to help build reading skills and a love of learning. In addition, Howard serves as a GED examiner for the City of Richmond and is an Assessment Specialist with the Middle Peninsulas Adult Education Program. This year Howard is the GRASP financial aid advisor at the Virginia Home for Boys and Girls and for the Richmond Adult Career Development Center, preparing participants for post secondary education and negotiating the financial aid process. He is excited about his role with GRASP!

Waynesboro High School

Lynne Hess graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.S., and from St. Petersburg College in Florida with a degree in dental hygiene. She is the mother of 3 grown children, and has worked with high school students in a number of different programs. Lynne has an extensive volunteer history working with youth in such roles as coaching, teaching Sunday School, and leadering Boy Scout and Girl Scouts. She presently works as a dental hygienist as well as an administrative assistant in her family's real estate business. Lynne is entering her second year as the GRASP advisor for Waynesboro High School.

Wilson Memorial High School

Laura Boward was an elementary school guidance counselor for Augusta County Public Schools before beginning her second career as a full time mother 19 years ago. Laura has taught high school age students in her church’s Sunday School and has worked with students and staff at Wilson Memorial as an office assistant. A graduate of Robert E. Lee High, Laura earned a BS from Radford University and her Masters in school counseling from James Madison University.

GRASP Office (Innsbrook)

Bob Davis, CFP, earned his B.A. in history at Vanderbilt University and MBA at Northwestern University. He is a Certified Financial Planner and has been in the financial services field for 30 years. His practice at Virginia Asset Management is focused on helping families and businesses meet their financial goals through the use of fee-based financial plans. With two sons who have successfully navigated the college process, Bob wants to help other families and their students realize their goals for continuing their education.

Bob volunteers as the GRASP financial aid advisor at the GRASP office in Innsbrook. He meets with families and students who are unable to meet with the GRASP adivsor that serves their high school. Contact the GRASP office at 804-527-7726 for an appointment with Bob.