our professional Learning community

the Executive Leadership Team

Sam Gough, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy
Sam Gough

M.A. Loughborough University, Education
M.A. Kean University, Educational Administration & Leadership
B.A. De Montfort University, Sports Science
New Jersey School Superintendent's License

Jim Dugan, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy
Jim Dugan

B.A. Gettysburg College Management & Economics

"Supporting the journey of today's youth - tomorrow's leaders. Think for yourself. Challenge assumptions. Show courage & compassion. Be the best listener in every room"

Marisol Portilla, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy
Marisol Portilla

Head of School-SALA South Director of Student Success

B.S. Tufts University Engineering. M.S. Carnegie Mellon Information Networking

"Resilience is never truly achieved alone, it requires productive struggle driven by a collective and compelling purpose"

SALA's faculty of Professional Educators

Vishal Sandhu, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy
Vishal Sandhu

Juris Doctor Rutgers University School of Law
B.S. Illinois State University, Legal Studies
B.A. University of Illinois-Chicago, Political Science, Criminal Law & Justice

"In a place 3,000 miles away from home - I found SALA to be my Family"

Brielle Severn, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy
Brielle Severn

M.S. Rutgers University, Biology
B.A. Drew University, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

"I love Marine Biology and have encountered a large shark during SCUBA dives in Florida"

Laura Hunter, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy
Laura Hunter

M.S. Rowan University, Teaching
B.A. Rowan University, English & Political Science

"SALA feels like family, and it rights all the wrongs that I feel I went through in my own educational journey"

Melissa Coleman, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy
Melissa Coleman

B.A. Brigham Young University Education

"I was a competitive gymnast at BYU and I am a lifelong learner who loves gardening, spending time with my family and traveling"

Scott Middlemass, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy
Scott Middlemass

Player Development Director and Academy Head Coach

Fran Schmutz, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy
Fran Schmutz

B.A. Rowan University, Liberal Studies

Elizabeth Lansing, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy
Elizabeth Lansing

B.A. Duke University, Psychology
M.A University of Arizona, International Security

Matthew Reeves, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy
Matthew Reeves

Head of School-SALA Central
B.A. Manhattanville College, Psychology & English

Kathy Gorksi, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy

Kathy Gorski

M.A. Kean University, School Counselor

Adam Jones, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy
adam jones

Basketball Director & Professional Educator

Nicole Stokley, Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy
nicole stokley

Professional Educator

jen ogorzat

Executive Support

B.S. Monmouth University in Business Administration & Accounting

ashley denti

Professional Educator & Athletic Coach

parker solowey

Professional Educator & Athletic Coach

B.S. Rutgers University in Psychology

“None of us can know what we are capable of until we are tested.”

Youmna Elsayed

Professional Educator

B.S. Rutgers University in Civil Engineering