Tina began her career in education in Milwaukee, WI where she received her bachelor's degree and taught elementary school in the Milwaukee Public School District for three years. She took a year off from teaching to contribute a year of service as an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer from 1993-94, working right here at JEP with Weemes Elementary and Foshay Learning Centers, developing literacy intervention programs for struggling students. After her VISTA service, she returned to Milwaukee to continue teaching for two more years. In 1997, when President Clinton introduced the America Reads initiative, she was invited back to JEP as a full-time staff member to direct the newly created USC Readers program. Since her return to JEP thirteen years ago, she has had two children, received her Master's Degree in Education with specialization in Literacy and Learning, and has been promoted to Associate Director of JEP with focus on Administration and Educational Outreach. While directorship of USC ReadersPLUS has been put in the hands of talented graduate students for the past few years, she still consider the program to be "her baby" and remains deeply involved in guiding staff, providing on-going support, and pursuing additional funding.

Alex is a Los Angeles native and junior majoring in cognitive science and creative writing. He has worked with the readersplus program since his freshman year at Norwood elementary and is excited to be the central coordinator!  In his spare time he enjoys reading, gaming, and rooting for the Green Bay Packers.

I am a senior majoring in theatre and planning to go to graduate school in physical therapy. Having been with Readers for 8 semesters and a coordinator for 4, Readers has been a huge part of my college experience. I love to draw cartoons and play the drums!"

Kenny Martin is a junior Writing for Screen and Television major and minoring in Songwriting. He has worked for ReadersPlus at 32nd St. since fall of his freshman year. In his free time he enjoys walking dogs, playing with dogs, petting dogs, and giving food to dogs.

I'm a senior majoring in Astronautical Engineering. I was born and raised in SoCal, and the Lakers and Trojans have been my teams since birth. I've been with ReadersPlus for almost 3 years and it's been the most rewarding opportunity that I've been a part of at USC.

Ricardo is currently a sophomore majoring in Cognitive Science and minoring in Digital Forensics. He began working with Reader'sPlus during his first semester and is now assistant coordinator for Foshay. Attending Foshay from 5th grade and graduating from high school there was a stronger motivator for him to give back to the community he was raised in.

Sequoia Tully is the Coordinator at Norwood elementary school. She is a Junior majoring economics and psychology. She loves eating ice cream, watching movies, hanging with friends, and being in silks/band. She has been with readersplus for three years

I'm a junior majoring in Screenwriting and I love when a kid makes me laugh. Bill Cosby wasn't kidding around when he said kids say the darndest things! The unfiltered confession blurted out at a one-on-one or in ASP constantly surprises and entertains me. Perhaps it's a cliche, but working with children refreshes my creativity and keeps the writers block at bay.

My name is Cesar Magdaleno, and I am a senior majoring in Public Policy and Development. I have been working with ReadersPlus since my sophomore year, and it is the best decision I have made in my college career. Not only do I get to work with wonderful kids everyday, but I also credit my job for getting me a pet. Right after leaving work one day, I saw a stray puppy running through traffic, which I rescued and eventually adopted. The coworkers and kids I work with make my time at ReadersPlus one of the most enjoyable parts of my day.

I am a senior International Relations major (and Environmental studies minor). I never really thought I'd end up working with kids because in all honesty they used to drive me up the wall. But working for
ReadersPlus has been a consistently wonderful experience for me during my time at USC. Turns out some of my favorite people are the kids I've
gotten a chance to tutor.

Vicki is Junior majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Business Administration. She is from Saratoga, California. Vicki has been working at Weemes for almost two years now, and loves helping her students become the best they can be.

I am a sophomore from Seattle, WA majoring in Psychology, Pre-med, and picking up a Spanish minor. I have worked for Readers Plus since the second semester of my freshman year, and I have loved every second of it. I look forward to working with these children for the rest of my USC career, and possibly beyond.

Junior in the Psychology major with a minor in public health. I attended Foshay Learning Center, here in Los Angeles, and was a part of the USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative, a program that like Readers Plus, inspires and aids students in academic achievement. Everyday that I work with Readers Plus I live my favorite quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, " to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded."

Ali is very excited to be the coordinate of Mack this semester! She is a double major in theatre and psychology. Ali has been in the Trojan Marching Band for the past four years and is currently doing research as part of the psychology honors program. Next year she will be a Teach For America corps member in New York.