Our Team

Gwen graduated from Brown University with honors in Literary Arts and Africana Studies. Gwen is passionate about the positive contribution that publishing can make to education. To that end, she co-founded a publishing company, Toreva Books, which works to increase the representation of African cultures and peoples in children’s literature. She loves to dance and enjoys winning at board games.

Dean finished his A Levels at Marist Brothers Nyanga High School where he studied Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Further Maths. He was an active Interact Club member and captained the school’s Handball team. Dean has a newfound love for reading African literature and spends most of his nights peering into the sky familiarising with the stars and wondering if we are alone in this vast universe.

Sharon graduated from Coe College in Iowa, with a BA in Political Science and Gender Studies. Before joining Education Matters, she interned with the UN Foundation in NY and Research and Advocacy Organization in Harare. Sharon returned to Zimbabwe in 2016 to pursue a career in international and community development. In her spare time she enjoys replicating Pinterest recipes, watching every Shonda Rhimes show and fighting patriarchy.

Collence is a USAP alum from the 2009 Zimbabwe cohort. He graduated from Haverford College, Pennsylvania, with a BS in Physics. In past lives, Collence worked as an Applications Engineer for a gas analyzer manufacturing company and taught high school physics in Philadelphia. When not assisting students or behind the lens of his camera, Collence is the inhouse expert on kale and the nurture of vegetables in arid conditions.

A four-year letter-winner on a full basketball scholarship at Seton Hall University, Alex graduated with honors with a BA in Political Science. She was honored nationally as a NCAA Woman of the Year finalist. Alex completed her Masters in International Relations and Diplomacy while coaching as a Graduate Assistant for the Seton Hall Women’s Basketball team. A sports development and community service enthusiast, Alex enjoys playing basketball, watching and coaching sport, and finding new ways to integrate sport into everything. When not advising student-athletes or showing the young-bloods how to hoop, Alex enjoys spending time with her family and drawing.

Having taught in classrooms in Coastal Kenya, Northern California and Chirumhanzu, Zimbabwe, Rebecca has devoted her professional life to college equity and access for talented, low-income students. She founded USAP in 2000 and worked for a very long spell as the Country Coordinator for EducationUSA in Zimbabwe. She has been active as a presenter, trainer and leader in international education organisations such as NAFSA, I-ACAC, CIS and currently the HALI Access Network. Rebecca holds a BA in Anthropology and African Studies from Brown University and MAs in International Development Education and English and World History Secondary Education from Stanford University. When not trying to save the world from itself or hanging out with her daughters, Rebecca enjoys cooking, Arsenal FC and dreaming of beaches from her landlocked home.

Rebekah received a BA (Hon) in English and Education from Calvin College in snowy Michigan. After returning home to Zimbabwe, she taught English and counselled high school students for six years at Arundel School. When not at Education Matters, Rebekah is working her Masters in Education with the University of Bath and substitute teaching in various Harare schools. Her four passions are justice, education, language and bargaining at local markets.