directors
COLETTA JONES PATTERSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Coletta Jones Patterson was raised in Northwest Arkansas and attended Springdale Public Schools. She graduated from Tougaloo College with a degree in Economics and Business Administration before returning “home” and attending the University of Arkansas where she graduated with her Master in Business Administration. Coletta has 15+ years’ experience working with youth and adults in various capacities.
Coletta returned to Northwest Arkansas in 2015 and worked for LifeSource NWA as the Development Director where she secured funding for operations, expanded programming and built collaborative partnerships across the community. She is also a certified professional and executive coach (life strategist) in which she excels in helping others identify destructive thought and behavioral patterns that inhibit forward movement.
DAWN SPRAGG, MS LPC, DIRECTOR OF THERAPEUTIC SERVICES & CO-FOUNDER
Dawn is the co-founder of the Teen Action and Support Center (with husband Greg) and is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Family Mediator.
Dawn has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Counseling. Dawn is passionate about the positive impact teens can make in their schools and communities. Her hope is that all teenagers will have access to the support they need to believe in themselves and realize their full potential.
Dawn and her husband have three grown children and two grandchildren. She enjoys reading, outdoor activities, and spending time at the lake.
JACQUELINE PEREZ, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Jacqueline coordinates, develops new opportunities, trains staff, and more.
Jacqueline has her Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology, Spanish, and Latinx American Studies from the University of Arkansas. She has worked with a multitude of nonprofits in the Northwest Arkansas area, such as Catholic Charities Immigration Services, Peace at Home Family Shelter, and Ozark Guidance.
During Jacqueline’s free time she enjoys partaking in social justice movements, reading, binge-watching TV shows, and constantly educating herself.
BRITTANY MOODY, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
in Brittany provides support to staff for program growth, development, and assessment.
Brittany has her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Sociology from the University of Arkansas and her Master’s degree in Public Service from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.
Brittany provides support to program staff to ensure that they are following best practices and meeting the needs of the teens in the community. She believes that through community and persistence all teens have the ability to make a difference.
In her free time, Brittany enjoys reading, painting, hiking, and hanging out with her pets.
RACHEL HOLMES, DIRECTOR OF YOUTH SUPPORT SERVICES
Rachel Holmes coordinates and leads the First Steps, Teen Thrive, and The Closet programs.
Rachel earned her Associates degree in Sociology from San Antonio College in Texas and her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Sociology from FHSU in Kansas. Her background is in volunteer and program management.
Rachel enjoys spending time with her family, going to the theater, playing board games, having adventures, reading, and binge-watching TV shows. She also loves volunteering and giving back to the community.
KARA ZENNER, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Kara leads the fundraising efforts for Teen Action and Support Center. She focuses on building community relationships and collaborating with donors to help raise awareness around the impact that TASC has on teens in our local area. Prior to her current position Kara volunteered for TASC and led our All In NWA Event for 6 years.
Kara grew up Iowa and moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing. Kara has over 11 years of Consumer Goods experience, with expertise in the Frozen Foods category. Kara has merchandising experience at Sam’s Club as well as experience in the supplier community.
Kara enjoys spending time with her family. She has a husband and 2 daughters. She loves to cooking, entertaining, playing the piano, and traveling.
BRIANNA COLE, ARTS & CULTURE DIRECTOR
Brianna is the Arts & Culture Director at TASC. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas where she studied English with an emphasis in Creative Writing.
Brianna believes that by creating safe, supportive, and enthusiastic environments for our youth, our communities will benefit immensely.
In her free time, Brianna enjoys cooking for her friends and family, getting lost in the Ozarks, reading, writing, and watching football.
GO HOGS!
staff
ABBY SCHOEPPE, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Abby works with teens in the Thrive program to provide services and support. She believes in the power of building relationships to connect with teens and empowering them to reach their full potential.
Abby is a former math teacher, who taught in Springdale and Rogers for 12 years. She realized during this time that her true passion was working with her students to help them navigate the sometimes difficult road of growing up. Abby holds her Bachelor’s degree in Middle Level Education and Master’s degree in Teaching, both from the University of Arkansas.
In her free time Abby enjoys hiking, reading, baking, binge watching TV shows, attending concerts and sporting events, and spending time with her family and friends.
ANGELA LAYCOX, INSERVICE COORDINATOR, THE HUB
Angela Laycox is the In-Service Coordinator for TASC’s Rogers office (The Hub), where she works with local organizations to create an engaging and uniquely interesting variety of community service opportunities in Benton County.
Angela has worked with adolescents in the educational field as a Montessori teacher, where she gained hands-on experience guiding the development of youths from a whole-body approach. By creatively considering the needs of our community at large and our teens as individuals, Angela helps teens to obtain community service credit hours while further exploring their own hobbies, perspectives, strengths, character, and yet to be realized skills.
Angela is a trained Montessori guide, with three years of schooling from the Mid-South Montesori Educators in Little Rock, Arkansas. She holds a CDA (Child Development Associate) certification from Northwest Arkansas Community college, along with years of training in child development and psychology.
ARLYNN MOLINA, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Arlynn serves as the Administrative Assistant at the Teen Action and Support Center. She assists with all office operations while providing program support. Arlynn is passionate about working with goal-driven organizations like TASC.
Arlynn graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a minor in Spanish. During her time at the university, Arlynn interned at the Multicultural Center and La Oficina Latina. She assisted with event programming and improving Latinx student engagement during the pandemic. Arlynn also has experience working in family support services within the state of Arkansas.
As a first-generation college graduate, Arlynn is passionate about promoting academic excellence among Latinx and other underrepresented groups in the community.
DANY MARTINEZ, INSERVICE COORDINATOR, THE STATION
Dany Martinez is the In-Service Coordinator for TASC’s Springdale office (The Station). They dedicate themselves to building ongoing relationships amongst local organizations and teens in the community with great possibilities for collaboration towards uplifting the community and its people.
Dany has worked with Springdale Schools through the AfterSchool Program since 2019; they graduated with honors from Springdale High School in 2017. “Go, Bulldogs!” They hold an Associate of Science- Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from NorthWest Arkansas Community College, where they completed the Honors Program. They are a current University of Central Arkansas English Major pursuing a B.A. in English and a minor in Teaching and Learning.
They are a writer and ensemble member of the NWA-based LatinX Theatre Project. Through the exceptionally talented ensemble, they have been able to create original art and advocate as a collective on issues faced by marginalized communities in the area & country through art, storytelling, rap, poetry, and theatrical performances.
Dany’s greatest hope for teens is that in helping their community grow through service, they may realize they grow themselves and that their dedication grows a garden of potential, unity, and healing.
SARAH SANCHEZ, MENTORSHIP VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Sarah coordinates the Adult Mentorship Volunteer program for the Youth Support Services at TASC.
Sarah earned her Associate of Arts and her Associate of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences from NWACC. She then transferred to the University of Arkansas and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Social Work.
As a first-generation college student, Sarah was unsure of college and felt intimidated by the idea of it. In her senior year of high school, she participated in the summer LIFE program at NWACC, where she was guided and inspired by her mentor to pursue higher education. After enrolling in college the following year, Sarah became a mentor for the LIFE program, where she experienced the impact that she had as a mentor to other first-generation college students.
Sarah believes that successful mentoring can have a continuing lifelong positive experience for an individual. She knows that mentoring has many benefits, including building confidence, trust, and resilience. Sarah hopes to incorporate relationship-building into the mentoring program at TASC and build and inspire a generation of strong, confident, and empathic teens.
Sarah has worked with children and youth for 8 years in various schools and nonprofits like the Children’s Advocacy Center, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Private School, and Monitor Elementary. She has also participated as a mentor at Saving Grace NWA Nonprofit Organization and a youth group called EDGE. Sarah is currently a LIFE Legacy mentor.
In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and children. During nice weather, you will most likely see Sarah working out, going on long walks, or playing sand volleyball.
TERRI OSBOURNE, ACCOUNTANT
Terri serves as Accountant for TASC managing day to day financial operations, grant spending, and working with the Board of Directors.
Terri graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Marketing and received her MBA from John Brown University.
Terri retired from Walmart, Inc after 29 years with the company and worked in many areas including Merchandising, Finance, Replenishment, Operations Development, and Merchandise Planning. She now enjoys working with nonprofit organizations and giving back to the community.
Terri and her husband, Alan, reside in Rogers and have two grown children. In her free time, Terri enjoys baking and spending time at the lake and beach.
TERRY MCNEILL, ARTS & CULTURE CREATIVE COORDINATOR
Terry McNeill is a Creative Coordinator at TASC, where Terry coordinates art programming for both The Hub and The Station.
Terry received a BFA in Art Education with an emphasis in community practice from the University of Arkansas. His specific field is Printmaking where he specializes in Screen Printing. During their time at the university, Terry hosted several art shows from his personal practice as well as wrote curriculum and taught at multiple institutions like Crystal Bridges and Life Styles.
interns
BAILEY MCCLURE, MARKETING INTERN
Bailey is a Marketing Intern who works with TASC social medias to help elevate the TASC brand. She believes that you should never stop learning and to always exercise your brain. It’s the best way to keep the creative juices flowing!
Bailey is currently finishing her associates degree in graphic design at Northwest Arkansas Community College. Before pursuing a graphic design degree, Bailey was working with animals as a veterinary technician. She loves yoga, camping, video games, and traveling.
CAROLINE WILSON, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT INTERN
Caroline Wilson is an intern at TASC where she mentors teens through the Teen Thrive program and helps to coordinate and supervise life skills workshops for the In-Service program.
Caroline is currently a Senior at the University of Arkansas in pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a Substance Abuse Disorders minor. She is passionate about social justice and helping those in need in her community, which is why she chose the social work path. Caroline also loves making and looking at art, listening to music, relaxing outdoors, exercising, and of course, working with teens!
ELIZABETH ROMAN, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT INTERN
Elizabeth Roman is an intern at TASC within the First Steps program. Elizabeth is currently a Senior at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO pursuing a Bachelors in the Social Work program. Elizabeth has an associate degree in Arts as well as in Liberal Arts and Sciences, and a technical certificate in child advocacy.
In her free time Elizabeth enjoys spending time with family, going to concerts, camping and the outdoors, watching movies, shopping and exploring any downtown (love Eureka Springs), and meditation/yoga. After Elizabeth graduates with her bachelor’s, she plans on attending the University of Arkansas online for a year for her master’s in social work, MSW, then LCSW.
KAYLI HEIGELMANN, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT INTERN
Kayli is an intern at TASC who is working with the Teen Thrive program. Kayli is an aspiring social worker who works with adolescents to connect them to the physical or emotional resources they need, provide mentoring, and empower them to be their greatest selves.
Kayli believes that everyone deserves a comfortable, safe space and access to resources that can improve their lives, as well as a person who they can rely on. Life can be tricky, especially when you’re young, so it is important to have support in place when the going gets tough! Kayli is an honors undergraduate Social Work and Anthropology student who plans to hold a master’s in Social Work from the University of Arkansas in the next few years.
PAIGE BABCOCK, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT INTERN
Paige is an intern at TASC who serves as a mentor for teens through the Teen Thrive Program.
Paige is a senior at the University of Arkansas and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She hopes to continue her education in a master’s program for social work in the future. Paige believes in the power the youth has in taking action to change their own lives and the lives around them.
In her free time, she enjoys going to concerts and learning how to roller skate.
have a question?
reach out to us!
You can reach anyone on our team using [first name]@tascnwa.org!
Or use this form to reach out.