Center for Schools and Communities Staff
Shileste Overton Morris, Ed.D.
Director, Center for Schools and Communities
Chief Program Officer, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
Dr. Shileste Overton Morris is driven by a steadfast belief in the transformative power of education. Her dedication spans both her professional and personal endeavors, ensuring that high-quality educational and social services reach students and families, particularly those in underserved communities. As the first African American Chief Program Officer at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, she spearheads the Center for Schools and Communities (CSC), overseeing a team dedicated to empowering schools, districts, and community-based organizations.
With over 25 years of experience at CSC, Dr. Overton Morris has exhibited exemplary leadership, innovative thinking, and an unwavering commitment to excellence and equity. Before her tenure at CSC, Dr. Overton Morris held pivotal roles, including Program Director at the Camp Curtin YMCA in Harrisburg. Her early career experiences, including serving as a Case Manager for Girls Inc., fueled her passion for advocating for girls’ rights and providing wrap-around services for adjudicated girls in the Harrisburg Area.
Dr. Overton Morris holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Shippensburg University, a master’s in public administration from Pennsylvania State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Journalism from Temple University. Additionally, she possesses multiple certifications, including but not limited to nonprofit management and trauma skilled and restorative practices.
Karen Lehman
Youth Development Program Manager
Karen Lehman is currently the youth development program panager at the Center for Schools and Communities (CSC). She has been with CSC since 2005 and brought with her extensive social work experience related to pregnant and parenting teens, individuals experiencing homelessness, and a certification through Parents as Teachers.
As program manager Karen leads initiative work supporting afterschool 21st Century Community Learning Center programming, teen parenting, foster care youth, youth experiencing homelessness, and migrant youth. Karen is a doctoral student at Millersville University. She obtained her MSW from Marywood University in 2004 and enjoys the combination of education and social work that her position at CSC allows. The aspect of her job that she enjoys the most is providing guidance to staff, working as a coach, and helping others strengthen their leadership skills. Karen is certified in Leadership Essentials from eCornell, and as a trauma-skilled specialist from the National Dropout Prevention Center.
Karen’s outside interests include youth mentorship, baking, wine collecting, traveling, reading and playing flute and string instruments. She lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her partner Tim and Isabella (Bella), the sweetest Old English Sheepdog that has ever lived.
Stephanie Colvin-Roy
Director and Lead ICPS International Trainer
Stephanie Colvin-Roy provides professional development in prevention education, social and emotional learning (SEL), trauma-informed SEL, and youth development. She has created youth and adult workshops and programming incorporating SEL competencies, reducing substance use and abuse, preventing peer abuse, and promoting resilience. Stephanie is a lifelong learner. Her philosophy on education and parenting encourages youth voice and the development of social and emotional skills for youth to become creative problem-solvers and critical thinkers.
As the Lead ICPS International Trainer, she coordinates professional development, consultation, and product development activity for both I Can Problem Solve (ICPS) and Raising a Thinking Child (RaTC) in her current role at Center for the Promotion of Social and Emotional Learning (CPSEL), an initiative of Center for Schools and Communities (CSC). Stephanie and the CSC have had the distinct honor to work in partnership with ICPS program developer, Dr. Myrna B. Shure.
Michelle Hill
Project Specialist
Michelle Hill is an experienced administrative professional with a strong background in customer service, data management, and coordination for statewide programs. Michelle holds a business management degree from Southern Technical College and has completed numerous certifications, including Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines and Emergency Operation Plans for K-12.
Our Consultants
Ross D. Whiting, Ph.D.
Ross D. Whiting is a consultant and social scientist with extensive experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods, organizational development, and project management, reporting, results communication and program advocacy. Ross currently serves as a consultant for diverse nonprofit, public and private clients who are committed to improving opportunities and quality of life for the people they serve. Ross’ focus on entrepreneurial, creative solutions to policy and practice challenges has resulted in several nation-leading public and privately funded initiatives. A former educator, Ross has experience in teaching, evaluating and facilitating change in diversity, equity and inclusion, and excels at knowledge organization and translation that results in aligned, action-focused planning and implementation. Ross is passionate about solving complex organizational problems and excels at understanding and translating seemingly disparate data. Ross has a demonstrated history of convening interdisciplinary groups to drive meaningful changes in policy and practice.
Ross is the former associate director of the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers University-Camden where his work focused on evaluation, data-driven organizational development, and strategic planning serving local, county and state governments, nonprofits, foundations and K-higher education institutions. In this position, Ross led program evaluation and advocacy to pass P.L.2021 c.85 supporting the Clayton Model Pilot Program, one of the largest state-funded social-emotional learning programs in the United States. Ross also served as the inclusive education project manager at Temple University where he led an interdisciplinary program to create Certificate in Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion that was the first for-credit credential available to both adults with intellectual disabilities and their typically matriculated peers in the United States. Ross is also an adjunct professor at Temple University, teaching courses in Urban Education and Organizational Development including Leadership in Organizations, Organizational Communication, and Understanding Urban Communities. Ross began his career as a music teacher at Edward W. Bok Technical High School in the School District of Philadelphia, focusing on student-centered, growth-oriented, culturally responsive teaching and learning.
Ross earned a doctorate in urban education (Ph.D.) from Temple University, a M.M. in Music Education with a focus on Urban Education from Boston University, and a B.M. in Music Education from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. Ross continues to engage in regular leadership coaching, and actively seeks opportunities to grow his evaluation, organizational development, and leadership skills.
Erin Bruno
Erin Bruno, M.A., has been working in the field of social and emotional Learning (SEL) for over 27 years. Erin is the director of The Social Decision-Making Program (SDM). SDM is a researched based, CASEL recognized SEL program.
She is also an adjunct instructor for the Academy of Social and Emotional Learning at Rutgers University and adjunct professor at University of Berkley teaching a course in social and emotional learning.
Erin has a background in theatre and mental health as well as SEL. She is passionate about supporting and empowering positive youth development so that all youth can reach their fullest potential.
Deidre Farmbry, Ed.D.
Dr. Farmbry is a career educator previously with the School District of Philadelphia. Over 28 years she was interim superintendent, chief academic officer, regional superintendent, high school principal, English department head, and English teacher.
Deidre is currently an independent consultant specializing in social and emotional learning, leadership coaching, team development, classroom practice, and school improvement via structured inquiry and collaboration. Her passion for and commitment to African-American male success led to her hosting four forums in Philadelphia on African-American male achievement with follow-up Saturday sessions addressing the education of African-American males in various contexts including prisons, public schools, private schools and universities.
A native Philadelphian, Deidre received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Temple University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. Although her favorite type of personal expression is poetry, Deidre is the author of several published speeches and essays on educational topics.
Michelle Gill
Michelle’s career in education began in 2001 as a classroom teacher in The School District of Philadelphia and continued in Fairfax County Public Schools. After 14 years in the classroom, she transitioned to the nonprofit sector, serving first as a professional development designer and then as director of consulting and certification for the Center for Responsive Schools, where she and her team supported teachers, schools, and districts on their social and emotional learning (SEL) implementation journeys.
In 2021, Michelle began her role as the coordinator of student services for Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning (SEAL) within the Centennial School District in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Over the next three years, she had the honor of collaborating with district stakeholders to design and lead the implementation of SEAL across the district.
She is a proud member of the SEL Fellows Academy with the Collaborative for Social, Emotional and Academic Learning (CASEL) and holds her Social and Emotional Intelligence Coaching certification with the Institute for Social and Emotional Intelligence (ISEI).
Michelle lives and gardens in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with her husband and their two children. They love to play board games and seek out new adventures together, along with their sweet Portuguese water dog.
Cheryl F. McCray, Ed.D.
Dr. Cheryl F. McCray is a strong advocate for new teacher induction and social and emotional learning. Her research and experience as a former exceptional education teacher, dean of students, and social emotional learning coach prepared her for her current role with Hamilton County Schools (Chattanooga, TN) as induction specialist. In this role, she supports new teachers, mentors and administrators through training on behavior and instructional strategies, coaching, and classroom management, aiming to enhance teacher retention and improve students’ social skills, behavior and academic performance.
Under the leadership of Dr. McCray, MTOC (Male Teachers of Color) group was established in Hamilton County Schools in September 2023 and has thrived. With its success, plans are underway to expand its reach this fall. Additionally, FemTOC (Female Teachers of Color) launched in August 2024.
When Cheryl is not occupied with her professional duties, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends, as well as revisiting activities that she finds give her balance (yoga, water activities, and reading).
Phil Tenaglia
Phil Tenaglia, M.A. is a school psychologist with over 30 years of experience working collaboratively with teachers and at-risk students in regular and special education classrooms, K-12. He specializes in consultation, counseling, interventions and program development. Phil is also a certified nonviolent crisis expert through the Crisis Prevention Institute.
At the Growth Opportunity Center in Southampton Pennsylvania., Phil is a licensed psychologist, helping families, children and adolescents who present with life challenges and stressors.
In 2016, Phil was named the school psychologist of the year by the New Jersey Association of School Psychologists for his innovative work in schools.
In 2017, Phil founded Evolving Solutions to deliver services, in-person workshops and online training to schools and professional organizations. He is a long-time practitioner of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Training (ACT). He developed the ACT Matrix approach to social and emotional learning, educational team building, and workplace interventions through his training and work with Dr. Kevin Polk, the creator of the ACT Matrix. Phil authored the chapter on “Promoting Psychological Flexibility in Education” in the original ACT Matrix book published by New Harbinger in 2014.
The Matrix is a visual representation of a cognitive-behavioral approach to values-based living and learning. It is an empowering, evidence-based process to developing healthy classrooms and wellness for teachers, students, and parents. The Matrix combines “street mindfulness” with the behavioral science of what works to promote respectful conversations, social-emotional intelligence, and a life worth living.