Mebane Early Literacy Center Advisory Board

Sandy Lou Bell is the Elementary Program Manager for Exceptional Children for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In her role, Bell shares her passion for providing students with quality education and access to the total school experience. Her team focuses on evidence-based instructional practices, new teacher support, coaching and compliance. Bell has served in multiple roles with CMS, […]

Larry Colbourne is President of the Mebane Foundation. Before joining Mebane Foundation, Mr. Colbourne was Vice President of Development for Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind. He had spent 12 years with Wachovia Bank in its Retail Banking and Loan & Credit Marketing Department. He’s a past member of the Mocksville Rotary, past president of the […]

Dr. Samantha (Sam) Gesel is an Assistant Professor of the Practice of Special Education at Vanderbilt University. Her work focuses on intensive intervention and data-based decision-making in reading for students with the most persistent reading difficulties. She is particularly passionate about the impact of professional development on pre-service and in-service teachers’ ability to engage in […]

Dr. Andrew Kelly is the senior vice president for Strategy and Policy for the UNC System. In addition to leading the division, Kelly serves as a higher-education policy expert to the president and the Board of Governors. Prior to joining the UNC System, Kelly was a resident scholar in education policy studies and the founding […]

Mebane Scholar Alumni, December 2023 Zoe Klein is a recent graduate of the Elementary Education Program at UNC Charlotte and currently serves as a 3rd grade teacher at Niner University Elementary School (NUE). During her time at UNC Charlotte, Zoe was a Literacy Innovation Leader Scholar, a Mebane Early Literacy Scholar, and part of the […]

Dr. Holly Lane is the founding Director of the University of Florida Literacy Institute, more commonly known as UFLI.  She is also the Irving and Rose Fien professor of education.  Her research focuses on effective reading instruction and intervention and helping teachers develop the knowledge and skills they need to teach reading effectively, especially using […]

Gia Paige is the Director, Youth Programs & Education Services for StriveCLT. Gia is a staunch advocate for communities across Charlotte, North Carolina, and uses her passion for community to impact justice through education initiatives implemented by nonprofits. For over 20 years, Gia has worked in the education space in the administrative offices as well […]

Kayla Poteat is a May 2023 graduate of the Dual Elementary Education and Special Education program at UNC Charlotte. While at the Cato College of Education, Poteat was a Mebane Scholar, Team Teach Ambassador, and Communication Consultant with the College. She is a second grade teacher at Pitts School Road Elementary in Concord, NC. In […]

Dr. Munro Richardson is Executive Director of Read Charlotte, a community initiative that unites families, educators, and community partners with the goal of improving third grade reading proficiency in Mecklenburg County to 80%. Munro joined Read Charlotte as the founding Executive Director in 2015. He has worked in philanthropy for most of the past 20 […]

Anna Spangler Nelson has served as Chairman of Spangler Companies, Inc., a private investment firm, since 2005. Nelson serves on the boards of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, C. D. Spangler Foundation, and Read Charlotte. She is also a member of the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina, where […]