Mary Alice Katon is an experienced educational program leader and grant development professional with more than 20 years of success advancing college access and student success initiatives. Her career has focused on supporting low-income, first-generation, and underserved students through federally funded programs, college advising services, and strategic educational partnerships.

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Mary Alice currently serves as a Talent Search Consultant with Nosotros Education Center, where she develops competitive federal TRIO grant proposals for educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. She collaborates with clients on program design, needs assessments, budget development, evaluation planning, and compliance with U.S. Department of Education requirements.

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Previously, Mary Alice served as Program Director for the College Advising Corps at Davidson College, where she led a statewide college advising initiative serving students in up to 19 North Carolina high schools. She was responsible for program administration, staff recruitment and supervision, budget oversight, strategic planning, and partnership development.

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Earlier in her career, Mary Alice directed federally funded college access programs at Communities In Schools, including the TRIO Talent Search program and the ThinkCOLLEGE & Career Center. Throughout her career, she has helped students and families navigate the college admissions and financial aid process while building programs that increase educational opportunity and postsecondary success.

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Mary Alice holds a Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA Extension, a Master of Science in Counseling from Fitchburg State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Skidmore College. She brings extensive expertise in grant writing, program management, federal compliance, college admissions counseling, staff development, and strategic partnerships.