Alyssia J. Coates                           E-Mail: acoates@nd.edu

Alyssia Coates is the Director of the Upward Bound Program at the University of Notre Dame.  She obtained her bachelor's degree in Literature/Rhetoric and Masters in Educational Counseling from Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York and a Specialist Certificate in Administration Leadership from Eastern Michigan University.  She is presently completing her Ph.D in Leadership from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan.  Alyssia is an advocate for education and presents annually at professional conferences and community organizations.  In her spare time she enjoys traveling, shopping, eating and watching movies with her family and friends.

Rafael Marín is the Associate Director of Upward Bound Program at the University of Notre Dame.  He earned his bachelor's degree in Spanish Literature in 1993 from Indiana University.  He is responsible for assisting the Director in the administration of the program and for implementing and overseeing the day to day academic components including instruction, assessment, and curriculum development.  Before coming to Upward Bound, he served as an educational advisor for Educational Talent Search at the University of Notre Dame.  He also has worked as a Bilingual Resource Specialist at Riley High School in South Bend Indiana and served as staff supervisor for the Latino Cultural Center in Bloomington Indiana.

Melissa Richmond                          E-Mail: mrichmo1@nd.edu

Melissa Richmond is Senior Advisor of the Upward Bound program at the University of Notre Dame. She attended Holy Cross College for two years before earning her bachelors degree in communications with a minor in psychology at Indiana University of South Bend.  Melissa will start on her masters degree in education counseling at IUSB in the fall of 2008.
She serves as a counselor and mentor by planning educational and cultural workshops and trips, as well as senior society, where she guides seniors through their final year of preparation for college.
Melissa served as an education reporter and a college admissions counselor before joining Upward Bound.She enjoys reading, writing, shopping and travel.

Debra A. Wisler                               E-Mail: wisler.6@nd.edu

Debra Wisler is the Administrative Assistant of Upward Bound at the University of Notre Dame.  She received an Associate Degree in Applied Science of Veterinary Technology from Purdue University and her Bachelor's of General Studies from Indiana University South Bend with a Certificate of International Studies.  She believes that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue higher education which makes working at Upward Bound a very rewarding experience.  Before coming to Upward Bound, Debra was a Library Specialist at the University of Notre Dame's Kresge Law Library.