Our Team
Michael Jeter
Michael Jeter serves as the volunteer head of the Math Department at Ascend Legacy Academy, bringing over 20 years of teaching experience to the role. A dedicated educator and curriculum leader, Mr. Jeter is passionate about helping students build strong mathematical foundations and confidence. His expertise spans a range of math disciplines, and he is committed to making math accessible, engaging, and culturally relevant for all learners at Ascend.
Dr. Steve Poulin
Dr. Steve Poulin is a lead faculty member and part of the curriculum design team for the Legacy Data Lab at Ascend Legacy Academy. With a Ph.D. in Social Work from Columbia University and over a decade of experience as a data scientist, Dr. Poulin brings a unique interdisciplinary lens to data education. His work is grounded in social policy, with a longstanding commitment to equity, systems-level change, and evidence-based practice. In addition to his role at Ascend, he serves as a Lecturer at Northern Kentucky University, where he integrates real-world applications of data in social systems to inspire the next generation of changemakers.
Holly Buttrey
Holly Buttrey serves on the Ascend Legacy Academy Advisory Board and plays a key role in shaping the Admissions Unlocked Lab and its curriculum. As the Director of International Admissions at the University of Miami, Holly brings deep expertise in global admissions practices, college access, and student mobility. Her insight and leadership help ensure that Ascend scholars receive high-quality, relevant guidance as they navigate the college admissions process—both domestically and internationally.
Dr. Ama Nyame-Mensah
Dr. Ama Nyame-Mensah is the lead architect of Ascend Legacy Academy’s Data Science curriculum. A data designer and social scientist, she brings deep expertise in equity-centered research, data analysis, and policy evaluation—particularly in the areas of child welfare and education. Dr. Nyame-Mensah is also the Founder of Analytics Made Accessible LLC, where she helps individuals and organizations communicate data through meaningful analysis and story-driven visualization. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Welfare from the University of Pennsylvania and is passionate about empowering the next generation to use data as a tool for social change.
Travis Watson
Travis Watson serves as one of the lead architects of Ascend Legacy Academy’s Athletic Training & Character Development Program. A professional athlete, mentor, and visionary leader, Travis brings a deep commitment to excellence both on and off the court. Through our partnership with his organization, Legacy Driven, we deliver top-tier basketball programming in Charlottesville that combines elite athletic training with values-based character development.
Travis's work ensures that ALA student-athletes are not only physically prepared, but also grounded in discipline, leadership, and legacy-minded purpose—hallmarks of the Ascend experience.
Arron Rodriguez
Arron Rodriguez plays a key role in shaping the college admissions programming at Ascend Legacy Academy, ensuring our scholars are equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and strategy to pursue their post-secondary goals. As the Assistant Dean of Admissions at Rutgers University School of Engineering, Arron brings deep expertise in higher education access and admissions, particularly within STEM fields.
With over a decade of collaboration alongside ALA’s founder, Arron has helped design and facilitate intentional, equity-driven college readiness programming that reflects our commitment to excellence and legacy. His insight and mentorship continue to guide our scholars as they navigate competitive college landscapes and prepare to thrive as future leaders.
Dr. Evan Willis
Dr. Evan Willis is an educator with over a decade of experience in both academic and ministry spaces, he brings a unique blend of spiritual depth and educational strategy to Ascend Legacy Academy.
As a lead architect of ALA’s Faith curriculum, Dr. Willis focuses on making Biblical principles relevant and transformative for today’s youth while honoring the cultural identity and lived experiences of our scholars. His work emphasizes spiritual formation, justice, and empowerment through education.
A proud alum of one of the nation’s four remaining historically Black boarding schools, Dr. Willis holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Urban Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a Master of Divinity from Andrews University.
Kayla Kirkland-Johnson
Kayla Kirkland-Johnson has been instrumental in the development of the history curriculum at Ascend Legacy Academy, bringing a vibrant blend of scholarship, cultural awareness, and global perspective. A proud graduate of Spelman College and native of Irvington, NJ, Kayla currently serves as a 6th grade history teacher with Uncommon Schools North Star Academy, where she is committed to delivering transformative, student-centered instruction.
During her time at Spelman, Kayla was actively involved in service and advocacy through the NAACP and Sisters Keeping It Real Through Service, while also completing competitive summer research internships at Tufts University, Albany State University, and UCLA. Her international experiences include two study abroad programs—one in London, England, and another in Rome, Italy, where she studied child development and classical mythology.