Board of Directors, NCMSLC, Inc.
L to R: Mrs. Rhae-Ann Booker, Mrs. Andrea Kitomary, Mr. Enrique E. Howell, Dr. Venessa Brown, Ms. Catherimarty Burgos
Dr. Venessa Brown, President
Dr. Venessa A. Brown is currently an associate professor at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. She received her PhD in 1994 from Clark Atlanta University. Dr. Brown is the author of ChildWelfare Case Studies, published by Allyn & Bacon. Her work experience includes 10 years as a child protective services investigator, extensive work with the juvenile court system, a mental health assistant in a private adolescent treatment center, a public hospital in the oncology unit, and a therapist at a private United Way counseling agency. Dr. Brown’s current research focus is international child welfare, and she has traveled to the Caribbean, Central and South America, and South Africa where she has studied and researched women and children’s issues. Dr. Brown has presented professional papers in the United States and internationally.
Mrs. Rhae-Ann Booker, Vice President/Treasurer
Rhae-Ann Booker serves as the director for pre-college programs at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. She is responsible for developing and leading the staff to implement a comprehensive plan for the college’s pre-college efforts with targeted populations as well as leading and being a key advocate for college access goals for under-represented populations within and beyond the college. Rhae-Ann also worked for four years as the director of multicultural student development at Calvin College. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology at Calvin College, and both a Master of Social Work and Master of Evaluation, Measurement, and Research Design at Western Michigan University. She is a PhD candidate in Evaluation, Measurement, and Research Design at Western Michigan University with an expected completion date of December 2007. Prior to her work at Calvin College, she worked for the Grand Rapids Public Schools district. She is co-author of “College-Church Partnerships and Precollege Programs: College Entry and Urban At-Risk Youth,” published in Christian Higher Education (April-June 2006) and also “Creating Resiliency in Urban Neighborhoods,” published in Reclaiming Children and Youth (Summer 1999).
Ms. Catherimarty Burgos, Board Member
Catherimarty Burgos is a licensed clinical social worker who is currently the clinical director at the Juvenile Services Department in Miami, Fla. She manages staff who provide evidence-based assessment and case management services to at-risk and arrested children in Miami Dade County. Burgos, who is Dominican American, is committed to diversity and has been instrumental in the creation, implementation, and management of prevention and intervention programs serving minority children. She is an advocate for children and families served by JSD. The President’s 2004 Drug Strategy Report recognized JSD/JAC as an exemplary program leading the charge in developing ways to intervene early with at-risk youth.
Mr. Enrique E. Howell, Board Member
Enrique E. Howell is currently a residential monitor for Northwestern University. He recently retired as an advanced bilingual child welfare specialist with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. He received his master’s in social work in 2001 from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. His work experience includes 28 years in the United States Air Force and 10 years as a child welfare specialist. Howell has conducted numerous workshops on children and family issues and has presented professional papers in the United States and internationally. His research interest are studying and researching women and children’s issues in the Caribbean and Central and South America. He is a bilingual Panamanian and is committed to diversity and a promoter of positive change.
Mrs. Andrea Kitomary, Board Member
Andrea Kitomary currently works at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., as an academic advisor/instructor. She has taught for the past 10 years in the areas of study skills, theatre, and communication at Calvin College, Grand Valley State University, and Southwestern Michigan College. She has done academic advising, working with at-risk, first-generation, transfer, probation, and undecided student populations for the past eight years. She has also worked with a career preparation program that mentors high school students for career-related experiences through Calvin College. She has a Master of Education from Grand Valley State University and is an alumna of Western Michigan University where she received her Bachelor of Science in theatre.
To contact the Board of Directors, visit the NCMSLC Web site at www.ncmslc.org or e-mail ncmslc@aol.com.
