ACO Team at North Seattle College

Kateri Joe

Director of ACO

Kateri Joe is the Director of the Division of Access, Community and Opportunity. Her career has focused on advancing equity and opportunity through education, Tribal engagement, and community partnership. Previously, she served as Tribal Liaison for UnitedHealthcare, where she worked to strengthen relationships with Tribal communities across Washington State, and as Co-Director of Graduation Success at Treehouse, supporting youth with lived experience in the foster care system as they pursued their educational goals statewide. Kateri holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington Tacoma and a bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies from Fort Lewis College. As an alumna of Seattle Colleges, she understands firsthand the transformative role community and technical colleges play in student success and recognizes the importance of pathways that support students navigating higher education outside of a traditional four-year university model. A proud member of the Swinomish Tribe, Kateri is deeply connected to her culture and community. Outside of work, she enjoys traditional dancing, sewing, cedar weaving, beading, and participating in Canoe Journey.

Carlos Serrano (he/him/el/they)

ACO 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.

Marissa McDowell

ACO/Sisterhood Navigator

Marissa McDowell is a Seattle-born educator, project manager, and Navigator here at North with the Division of Access, Community and Opportunity with over 15 years of experience advancing equitable learning opportunities for youth, families, and communities. After earning her bachelor's degree at Clark Atlanta University, she began her career in education as a Special Education and Early Interventionist in urban school districts. Through this work, she developed a deep understanding of how systemic educational inequities contribute to opportunity gaps that affect both academic growth and stability. Marissa transitioned into community-based leadership roles focused on strengthening programs, training and supporting educators, and helping youth find and use their voices to impact change.

Nyles Austin

Project Baldwin Navigator

Nyles Austin is a Project Baldwin Navigator at North Seattle College, where he supports students through personalized academic guidance, advocacy, and connection to campus and community resources. With a background in youth development and community engagement, he centers relationship-building and culturally responsive support in his work. Guided by the principle, “I am because we are — and together, we rise,” Nyles is driven by the belief that representation, access, and community support can transform a young person’s trajectory. He is committed to helping students feel seen, supported, and empowered to achieve long-term success

Sybrina Woodson (she/her)

ACO Office Assistant

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