Student Opportunity, Access, and Retention Community

The Student Opportunity, Access, and Retention (SOAR) Community promotes equitable access to learning and environments where all feel respected and included and fosters social connectedness and fair academic progression.

The community addresses topics such as:

• Pathway program initiatives.
• Learning environment assessment and improvement.
• Disability services and accommodations.
• Access, inclusion, and well-being initiatives.
• Student professionalism.
• Transparency in academic progression and promotion.

The work of this Community of Practice is led by the SOAR Committee.

Chair

Donna H. Jackson, EdD
Associate Dean of Admissions Outreach and Engagement
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Letter from the Chair

Committee Members

Robin Clay, MEd
Associate Director of Admissions
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science College of Medicine

Daniel José Correa, MD, MS, FAAN
Associate Professor of Neurology
Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Outreach
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Khalilah Gates, MD
Assistant Dean of Medical Education
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Laura E. Hamilton, MA
Senior Director of Student Affairs
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine

Natalie G. Johnson, DHA
Associate Dean for Engagement
Medical University of South Carolina

Ranna Nash, PhD
Disability Resource Professional
Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine

Laventrice Ridgeway, EdD, ASC, NCC
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama

Liaison, Student Advising, Support, and Records Management Committee
Alden Landry, MD, MHP
Assistant Dean, Culture and Community Engagement
Harvard Medical School

Liaison, Financial Aid Management and Education Committee
Brianne Camacho, MS
Director of Financial Aid and Financial Wellness Advising
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Liaison, Recruitment, Admissions, Selection, and Enrollment Committee
Jill Volk, MSEd
Director, Admissions and Recruitment
Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center

Liaison, Research, Engagement, Growth, and Scholarship Committee
Haneme Idrizi, MD
Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Liaison, National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions
John Moses-Brownson, MEd
Associate Director of Career Advising Pre-Professional Health
Elon University

Liaison, ⁠Association of American Indian Physicians
Mary Marfisee, MD, MPH
Professor, Family Medicine
University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine