Meet the Team
The staff at Project RISE includes counselors, administrators, and educators. Counselors range from rising high school juniors to college students — most of whom are Project RISE alumni. The staff at Project RISE is eager to help your child succeed not only as a student, but also as an individual.
Founder and Director Emeritus
- Rob Dixon ‘79 P ’03,‘16, Thayer Academy Upper School History Teacher
Executive Director
- Jarvis Wyche, Thayer Academy Middle School Counselor
Admissions and Recruitment Coordinator
- Brandon Odom '04, Thayer Academy Assistant Admissions Director
Returning Faculty and Staff
- Billy McClain, Site Director, Lower Program
- Almanda Dixon, Program Coordinator, Lower Program
- Bobby McClain, Site Director, Upper Program
- Matt Ghiden, ELA, Lower Program
- Tanisha Milton, ELA, Upper Program
- Sophie Browne, Reading, Lower Program
- Billy O'Dwyer, Math, Upper Program
- Rob Jamaal Dixon, History, Upper Program
- Jamison Smith, Science, Upper Program
Project RISE Advisory Board
- Carson Smith P ’25, Middle School Director, Thayer Academy
- Highley Thompson P ’20, ‘23, Upper School Director, Thayer Academy
- John J. Hightower ‘95
- Joanna Skoler Gilman ‘86 P ’25, Director of Communications, Thayer Academy
- Brendan McDonough ‘87
- Melissa Forger ‘92 P ’25, Director of Development, Thayer Academy
- Matt Ghiden, English Teacher, Thayer Academy Middle School
"While the organization's success dazzles many, the core concept driving the achievements of RISE is mundane: Mentoring. Rob started the organization to formalize the successful mentoring formula that he implemented on an individual scale some years back with a small segment of individuals. Rob recognized the void with many inner city youth in trying to succeed in society was that they lacked solid guidance in how to obtain an education, and they lacked a strong support system and an advocate to promote their cause."
- John J. Hightower '95, Project RISE Advisory Board
