Elevated Mentors

​Angela Wright served as a Counselor and Teacher at Harrison High School for over 30 years. Angela received her master’s degree in Counseling at UCCS. Angela began her career as a teacher, having earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Human Development & the Family at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. During Angela’s tenure as an educator, she has supervised multiple youth leadership groups, and is excited to share her knowledge in her work with the Elevated students this year! Angela lives in Woodland Park with her husband Jim and has two adult children who attended college and are currently employed in the medical field.

Promis Bruno is originally from Houston but considers herself a Colorado Native. It is important for everyone to know that she graduated from one of the greatest High School’s in the Colorado Springs area, Roy J Wasson Class of 2001. She received her Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) with a Minor in Women’s Studies from CSU-Pueblo in 2005. In 2008 Promis decided to go back to school and obtain her Master’s in Social Work (MSW) where she graduated in 2010. Promis has been fortunate to have found her passion early and applauds herself to only have had one career in her lifetime which is being a social worker. She values creating opportunities for supporting students and families in the community. Although she loves her career, she is most proud of being a mother to three beautiful children. By far motherhood has been her most rewarding role in this lifetime.

Kelly Gallegos is a graduate of Palmer High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a master’s degree in Counseling and Human Services from UCCS. Kelly worked as a high school counselor at Harrison High School for 14 years. She has been a counselor at North Middle School for the past 6 years. Kelly has served as an Elevated mentor for 8 years. She is excited and feels privileged to be working with Elevated again this school year!

Melva Hall has been an educator for over 30 years. She is a retired counselor, having worked in Harrison School District #2 and the El Paso County School District #11. Melva has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Cameron University-Lawton, Oklahoma, and a master’s degree in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. After three glorious years of retirement, Melva is currently working as a counselor at the College Readiness Academy an alternative school housed at Sierra High School. She has three grown children and four grandchildren. “I love working with students and helping them with their college and career plans”.

Jeni Spice has been in education since 2001, a counselor at Harrison High School since 2014, and joined as an Elevated Mentor in 2015. Jeni received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Regis University and a master’s degree in School Counseling at UNC. She is married and has two grown children, two grandchildren (one on the way!), and four stepchildren. One of her greatest joys is spending time with family. An avid animal lover, she has a dog named Paddington. It is her great pleasure to be working with the outstanding students in Elevated.

Heidi Gugler is a California transplant who has worked in education for the past 26 years. She earned her undergraduate degree in Spanish and Elementary Education from Houghton College in New York before moving to Colorado in 1998. She began her career as a Spanish teacher before going back to school at Colorado College to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching Integrated Natural Sciences, leading her to become a science teacher and later a physical education teacher at Eagleview Middle School. Her desire to move into leadership brought her back to college to get her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. For the past six years, she has worked as an assistant principal at North Middle School. She is excited to join the Elevated team and feels privileged for the opportunity to work with such talented and motivated youth.

Porschae Brown ​grew up in Colorado Springs. She considers Colorado Springs her home and loves having the mountains as her backdrop for inspiration. As a Colorado native, she attended Harrison High School which is where she now works as an English, Film and Literature and Yearbook teacher. She is in her 7th year of teaching and enjoys how much teaching includes learning from students. She graduated from Colorado College with a B.A. in English. She recently received her M.A in English from Arizona State University. Porschae is an avid reader and dog lover. She is passionate about seeing students succeed and reach their full potential. She is also an alum of Peak Education, a Colorado Springs program that serves to educate students on the many ways they can be successful and also give back to their community.

Matt Sutter grew up in the greatest of states, Montana. He played college basketball in Nebraska and graduated from York College. He has a wonderful family and is blessed by his wonderful wife, beautiful daughter, and handsome son. Coach Sutter has been educating and coaching at Fountain-Fort Carson High School for the past 12 years. This is Matt’s fifth year in Elevated and he is excited to help young people achieve beyond their potential!

Vennita ​Browning ​earned her B.A. from the University of La Verne in
Communications. She currently works for a local non-profit, Peak Education, which serves over 400 low-income students. Vennita has three sons who all earned their college degrees. She enjoys traveling, especially to Ireland, which has been her favorite trip so far. Vennita is excited and looking forward to her tenth year with Elevated where she will work hard to assist your students in their goal of attending and graduating from college.

Staci Wayant has just finished her 31st year in education and is currently a high school counselor at Discovery Canyon Campus High School. She has an undergraduate degree in Special Education and Masters in both Special Education and School Guidance and Counseling. She and her husband are new to Colorado and have loved every minute of it. They enjoy skiing, hiking, running, and exploring new areas. They have 2 adult children, both married, a 6 year old little boy and a 2 1/2 year old grandson. They are HUGE Oklahoma State University fans so don’t be surprised about a shout out. Not only did they graduate from there but so have both of their big boys. As her students will tell you, she is very high energy. She loves building relationships with young people and helping equip them with the necessary skills to go forward in life and achieve those dreams.

Lisa Atufunwa was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. She graduated from the University of Denver High School, where she got a first-hand experience of what life on a college campus would be like for a student. She attended Michigan State University – Go Green! – and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. After graduation, she worked as a social media and public relations coordinator for non-profit organizations, start-up companies, and agencies. Lisa wanted her work to impact her community directly, so she transitioned to the education sector and became a small group math instructor for Denver Public School, teaching 6th through 10th graders. She oversaw the small group math instruction program at the Montbello Campus for three years. Lisa’s passion for equitable education and ensuring all students have educational opportunities at any level led her to support high school students through the college admission world as a college advisor. She aims to help students leave their K-12 education and move on to the next chapter in their education journey that aligns with their goals. Lisa is the Manager of College Success and Internships at a public school. She is also a graduate student working towards her Master of Arts in Professional School Counseling.

Stephanie Mijo moved to Colorado Springs from Portland, OR in 2020. They are a licensed school counselor practicing at Discovery Canyon Campus High School, supporting students in exploring career & postsecondary options. Working with kids since they were a kid themself, Stephanie has found a passion in supporting the uniqueness of all kids & watching that uniqueness contribute to the overall health of our global community. Stephanie’s first love is their work, closely followed by their cat Elvira, family, and friends. In their free time Stephanie enjoys checking out local music, digging into advocacy work, and guzzling coffee at local coffee shops.

Steve Wayant grew up in Kansas/Oklahoma. He graduated with a BA in Sociology from Oklahoma State University. He later obtained his MA in Criminal Justice. Steve is married to Staci and is a proud father of 3 boys. He recently retired from the insurance field to complete his Masters in Social Work.

Patricia Humphrey is currently the Director of Operations in the Student Services and Academic Affairs office at the United States Air Force Academy Registrar’s office. In this role, she oversees the academic at risk program for the four-degree (freshmen) cadets. She also serves as an academic advisor to a squadron of cadets, advising them through their first three semesters of college. In this role, Patricia gets to know students from all over the United States and other countries. Originally, from the south, she has lived in Colorado for the past 30 years due to a military move with her family. Patricia has a bachelor’s degree in applied management and leadership and a master’s degree in education and human resource studies. Patricia is excited about being an Elevated mentor and sharing her knowledge with the Elevated students and learning from them as well.

Kirsten Knight is originally from Hampton, VA but moved to Colorado in 1998. She loves to read and travel in her free time. She currently works in Fountain District 8 as a Special Education Facilitator. She just completed her 17th year in education. She has a BA in Sociology from Fort Hays University. She also has an MA from Grand Canyon University in Education with an emphasis on Special Education, and in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Secondary Reading. Kirsten is looking forward to being a mentor and sharing her experience and knowledge with
students.

Ayesha Ricks is a native of Colorado and is a passionate advocate who serves her community, especially the youth and families who face educational and social challenges. Ayesha attended Aims Community College in Greeley, Colorado, and later transferred to the University of Northern Colorado, where she studied Human and Mass Communications. While earning her degree, she became involved in a sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority Inc., where she is still active and holds the position of Anti-Grammateus within her local graduate chapter. With over 15 years of experience in education, from early childhood to high school, she additionally holds a Master’s in School Counseling, a Master’s in Business Administration, a Certificate in Educational Leadership, and an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service. Today, she works as a school counselor at a public school in Commerce City. Ayesha’s favorite pastime is spending time with her husband and their children, listening to music, line dancing, and soaking up the sun whenever possible.

Bridgette Coble is an Elevated mentor and also works as the Director of Career Engagement at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She earned her doctorate degree in Higher Education Program at the University of Denver with an emphasis in diversity in learning and her Master of Science degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University. A first-generation student, Bridgette earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University. She has also worked at Colorado State University, the University of Michigan and the Community College of Denver in the area of career services and six years leading human resource staffing initiatives at Hewlett-Packard/Agilent Technologies. She is passionate about supporting students in their career planning journeys.

Samir is a recording artist, creative thought leader, and accomplished speaker. Born in Belgium and raised in Congo, he has toured nationally and internationally as one-half of the musical group The Reminders. He also facilitates workshops and residencies in universities and for organizations across the country. He is an Administrative Assistant at The Colorado Springs School and has been a youth counselor and supervisor at multiple youth residential treatment centers.

Eric Mose was born in Kenya and attended Moi University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in education science. He began his teaching career in 2010, working at a high school before moving to the United States in 2015.Eric’s inspiration to be a teacher stems from his passion for education, fulfillment of helping young people and desire to have positive impact on these lives. Eric currently teaches at Mountain Ridge Middle School. In 2021, he earned a post-graduate certificate in Computer Science and Cybersecurity from MSU and 2023, he joined the Sachs Foundation as a mentor, helping students of color access opportunities for their own empowerment through college visits, mental wellness, and financial literacy initiatives.