EDIC Team at North Seattle College

Cooper Sealy (they/them)

Interim Director of EDIC

Canadian born of Caribbean Heritage, Dr. Cooper Sealy comes to NSC having lived and worked in Seattle since 2008, and before that in NYC since 1999. They have been a leader in higher education and in the non-profit sector for 20 years. In NYC, they were among those pioneering early healing centered, and trauma informed pedagogies through the lenses of Urban Ministries and Multicultural Education. Along with a cadre of educators from Hunter College, Columbia and NYU they created unique arts based educational centre, which fostered healing of children and families from racial and inter-generational traumas.

At NYU, UW and NSC, among other subjects they taught and provided leadership around Queer Theory, Black Diasporic Studies, French West-African Cinemas, and Trauma Informed/Healing Centered Pedagogies engaging contemporary research-based healing centered methods.

Dr. Coop is passionate about servant leadership, relational collaboration, anti-colonial trauma informed/healing centered EDI work and the ways both communities and individuals engage in liberatory practices. Currently, they serve as the Board President of the Lavender Rights Project. 

Jessica Albavera (she/her)

Pathways Navigator for EDIC

Jessica was born and raised in the Bay Area and came to North Seattle College in the fall of 2022 from San Francisco where she worked as an elementary school teacher for 6 years. She received her B.A. from the University of Puget Sound and jumped at the opportunity to return to Washington.

Regardless of their age, Jessica is committed to ensuring a transformative educational experience for her students. Her purpose is to make sure students feel seen, appreciated, and valued as members of the school community.

She received her Master’s in Human Rights Education which only strengthened her desire to serve the students that the education system was not built to serve.

When she’s not working, Jessica loves to read fiction, go thrifting, and get to know her new city.
Learn more about Guided Pathways

Maura Nakamichi (she/her)

Benefits Hub Manager

Maura grew up in the Seattle area and has a BA in International Affairs from Northeastern University. She worked at the University of Washington in student services for 8 years before getting her Master of Social Work and starting with Benefits Hub in Spring of 2022.

She works with our Benefits Hub Coaches to support students with basic needs around housing, food, and more. Maura strives to help students succeed by ensuring they are connected to resources and receive support overcoming obstacles to reach their goals. With her background in higher education and social work, she is always looking to expand equity in education and help students navigate the many systems we live in.

Maura enjoys spending time walking around in nature, home improvement projects, rainy days, and a good crossword puzzle.

Jess Parks (she/they)

Benefits Hub Coach

Jess is a passionate advocate for social justice. Originally hailing from Oklahoma City, Jess has called Seattle home for the past 15 years. Currently, they are pursuing their education at Seattle Central Community College, where they are studying Social Justice.

They have dedicated their time and energy to various volunteer roles, including serving as a case manager through Americorps at Catholic Community Services, working with the YWCA, and contributing to the African American Museum. Notably, Jess has achieved certification through CCSW (Catholic Community Services of Western Washington), demonstrating their dedication to professional growth and expertise in their field.

Jess is a true advocate, always striving to provide support and activism to a range of communities. With a heart full of compassion and a drive for positive change, Jess enjoys making a meaningful difference in the lives of many.

Carlos Serrano (he/him/el/they)

EDIC Navigator

Carlos was the first person in his family to navigate higher education. He is committed to supporting non-traditional students throughout their educational journey and making sure all students feel welcome and encouraged to build community across campus.

Carlos's educational background from Western Washington University focuses on the Sociology of Education and Social Justice. They recently have been working on understanding group dynamics through social analysis that looks at the formation of social organizations, inequalities, and complex intersections of identity, power, and privilege.

During their free time, Carlos enjoys cooking, discovering new music artists, being a social butterfly, and spending time with their family and friends.

Belinda Tillman (she/her)

EDIC Navigator

Belinda Tillman is one of eight children and graduated from the University of Washington. Belinda is married to the best husband in the world, has two great children, two beautiful grandchildren and wonderful family and friends.

Prior to coming to North she worked at Allstate Insurance Company and Microsoft. For over 20 years Belinda has been an advocate for student success at North.

Her goal has been to assist students with academic counseling, career counseling, individual counseling, stress management, parenting problems, family problems, along with any other barriers that will keep them from achieving their career goals.

Belinda has provided students with strong effective communications skills to help motivate, and inspire them to be the best they can be.

Elizabeth Trever (she/they)

Benefits Hub Coach

A graduate of Skidmore College with a degree in communications/creative writing, Elizabeth has been a daily newspaper reporter/columnist, an entrepreneur running a non-profit marketing agency and a lifelong advocate for social justice issues. Her life and work experience has shown her that people don't fall through the cracks - they're pushed through a sieve. 

She absolutely loves getting to know students and helping them knock down barriers that are keeping them back. Her passions are creative expressions of all kinds and using creativity as a method of healing for individuals and community.

Sybrina Woodson (she/her)

EDIC Office Assistant

Sybrina welcomes our community and helps to create an inclusive, educational environment for our campus at the front desk of the Equity and Welcome Center.