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Broadband Access Project Staff

James De Sota is the Project Coordinator for the BAP. He joined the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC) in December of 2011 as Assistant to the Executive Director, in addition to his BAP responsibilities. Previously he was Executive Director of the Southeast Como Improvement Association, an AmeriCorps VISTA and Peace Corps volunteer, and a graduate of Macalester College with degrees in Geography, Creative Writing and Religious Studies. He is excited about continuing the great work of the BAP and working with the community, the BAP partners and the U of M, to ensure a successful 2012.
Nam Nguyen is the Manager of Technology Services for the Office for Business & Community Economic Development at the University of Minnesota. He provides technology support, maintains the BCED computer labs, and develops computer classes that fit the needs of nonprofit organizations and small businesses. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with extensive experiences in software engineering and web development.  Nam enjoys working on the BAP because it gives him an opportunity to empower the lives of low-income, minority and immigrant populations by giving them the technological skills and knowledge they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
Cheryl Vanacora works as a Curriculum Coordinator for the Broadband Access Project.  Prior to working with the BAP, Cheryl worked as a Manager for Lifetrack Resources’ Minnesota Family Investment Program contracts and as an English Language Teacher in Saint Petersburg, Russia.  Cheryl holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, and a B.A. in Russian Area Studies and English.  She enjoys working with the Broadband Access Project because she is passionate about working with community and enjoys facilitating discussion between the University of Minnesota and community, small business, and non-profit programs.

Jeanne Zimmer is Program and Evaluation Specialist in the U of M’s Office for System Academic Administration.  Jeanne’s primary role in the project is overseeing the evaluation process and the reporting needs of the grant.  She has over 30 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, including a Masters of Nonprofit Organizations from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.  Her work in bridging the digital divide dates to the early 1990s, when she was involved in developing access to technology for children with disabilities.

Team Leads

Abdi Ali is the BAP Employment Specialist Team Lead.  Abdi holds a master's degree in Public Administration and Non-Profit Management and has experience working with low-income communities in Minneapolis.  Abdi is excited to work with BAP because he is passionate about bringing access and knowledge to individuals and communities
Katie Douglass is a Trainer for Broadband Access Program. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with degrees in English and Music History, she spent two years serving with tutoring programs in Saint Paul Public Schools. She enjoys working with the Broadband Access Program because she loves teaching and is passionate about the role technology plays in improving people's lives.
Kimberly H joined the Broadband Access Project in 2010 and is now back on the project as a Trainer. She was raised in rural Minnesota, and has been a part of the SE and South Minneapolis neighborhoods. She received her degree in Global Studies from the University of Minnesota, with Minors in Sustainable Agriculture and Spanish. She has worked in the corporate world, as well as in the community as a reserve teacher for Minneapolis Public School for several years before joining the project. Her goals in life are to make it as an entrepreneur and also give back and encourage a global perspective. She believes computer literacy and internet access can both help individuals make a better life for themselves, as well as help individuals make smarter decisions pertaining to the bigger picture.

Patricia Nelson is a Trainer the the Broadband Access Project and has many years of  experience in designing and presenting workshops in all types of settings. Pat earned her Bachelor of Science degree and her Masters of Science degree from Long Island University in New York. She brings expertise from the health, legal, educational and non profit fields. Pat became very interested in technology when she first had a home PC. She later became a computer instructor at the Green School Weed and Seed program in Minneapolis - an after-school center for kids and adults living in the Central neighborhood. Pat sees her role at BAP as a community technology “bridge-builder.”

Apprentices

Kadra Abdi has many years experience working with the Somali community and has helped organize events dealing with youth violence in the Somali community. Kadra gained great customer service skills working as a Corporate Accounts Receivables Representative for AT&T and is currently attending Normandale Community College, where she hopes to eventually work her way to a degree in International Relations.  Kadra loves working with BAP because she has a passion for helping people.
Gerald Armour-Shaffer has been very instrumental in the North Minneapolis area, as well as any other community he has lived.  Gerald is a gifted videographer, photographer, music producer/engineer, as well as a music artist himself who writes and produces music that uplifts and empowers others in a positive manner!  Gerald is excited to work with BAP because he loves working with the community and feels that he has a lot to bring to the lab participants.
Angela Brown has worked in customer service for six years before having the opportunity to work with the Transitional Work Experience (TWE) program, which gave her the hands-on experience of working in a BAP lab.  Angela is excited to be working with BAP because she will have the opportunity to not only help others learn and use technology, but also to broaden her existing knowledge of technology!
Samarah Mansour was a volunteer for Bridging, a non-profit organization prior to to working for the Broadband Access Project. Samarah has lived in the Twin Cities region for 10 years, is conversational in Spanish, and is excited to work for the BAP project because she has a strong passion for helping others.
Josefina Martinez was born and raised in St Paul, Minnesota.  In the past Josefina has worked with the YWCA as an intern, as a Nursing Assistant in a nursing home, and has completed customer service training.  Josefina loves to share the knowledge she has gained as a BAP Apprentice and teach others to be self sufficient through technology.
Shauna Miller has been a lifelong resident of St Paul, and has an educational background in Criminal Justice and Correction Studies.  Shauna began working with the BAP in September 2011 as part of the Transitional Work Experience (TWE) program through Lifetrack Resources, where she was able to work one-on-one with children at Patchwork Quilt.  Shauna is ecstatic to work with both children and adults, and is ready for the challenges this year will bring!
SirXavier Nash grew up on the north side of Minneapolis and has a diverse background in customer service and working with his community.  He was a member of the gospel group Deliverance for Youth (DFY), who are known for helping bring youth back to a safe and positive community.  In the future, SirXavier would like to pursue a degree in mass communications and broadcasting and hopefully one day make it as an entertainer.  SirXavier's dream is to make it as an entertainer and give back to the youth in his community.
Salvador Patino-Guzman has been doing community work for the last twenty years, mainly working as a medical and social services interpreter.  As a volunteer, he has also gained access to a wide variety of situations and opportunities ranging from performing arts to spirtual advising and personal counseling.  He looks forward to working with BAP to help community members learn technology skills, which are needed to achieve success.
Markita Ross is a born and raised resident of St Paul, Minnesota.  She previously worked as an intern in the Transitional Work Experience (TWE) program prior to working with the Broadband Access Project.  She looks forward to helping her community through technology access and sharing her knowledge to enrich the lives of others.
Aaron Smothers is a resident of South Minneapolis (Uptown), and enjoys using his computer skills to help enrich people's lives and assist in bridging the digital divide.  He has a lot of community and outreach experience, and has a real passion for helping others.  Aaron is currently working on his associates degree in science and hopes to one day become an engineer.
Ka Vang is a resident of St Paul, Minnesota and has 5 years experience working in customer service.  Ka is currently working for the Hmong American Partnership lab, and has a passion for working with the Hmong community and helping parents in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) job search and build their technology skills.