Our Team
Executive Director
Noelle serves as the Executive Director for Avenue Scholars Des Moines. She brings 26 years of experience in education, having served as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, administrator, and most recently as the Executive Director of Leadership and Learning for Des Moines Public Schools. Noelle earned her undergraduate degree from Simpson College, holds Master’s degrees from both Viterbo University and the University of Iowa, and received a Specialist degree and superintendent’s license from Drake University. A passionate advocate for equity in education, Noelle has dedicated her career to removing barriers and expanding opportunities for historically marginalized students.
Director of Community Engagement
Mary has more than 20 years of nonprofit experience, having served organizations such as United Way of Central Iowa, Goodwill Industries, and the Pinky Swear Foundation. Prior to that, she spent 21 years at Principal Financial Group in a variety of roles. Mary contributes her extensive business expertise, community insight, and strong network of connections to the team. She also actively volunteers with several nonprofits, including Dress for Success, Young Women’s Resource Center, The Beacon, and Habitat for Humanity.
Administrative Assistant
Carla Miller is the Administrative Assistant for Avenue Scholars Des Moines. Before coming to Avenue Scholars Des Moines in April 2022, she was employed by Des Moines Public Schools for 25 years. The last 7 of those years as the Executive Assistant for the Leadership and Learning Department. She chose Avenue Scholars Des Moines because this position allows her to build relationships and provide support for the students in our program.
Corey Lewis
Post Secondary Career Coach for IT and Business
Corey is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in HR recruiting, IT recruiting and both business and residential sales. A native of Des Moines, Corey holds a degree in History from Iowa State University, where he developed a deep appreciation for understanding people and cultures. Passionate about connecting individuals’ unique talents and passion to their work, he thrives on helping others find meaningful career paths. Outside of his professional life, Corey enjoys working out and reading, continuously seeking ways to grow both personally and professionally.
Career Coach East HS
Mark is a lifelong educator committed to the wellbeing of students as well as contributing to a more just and equitable community. His roles in education have included classroom teacher, dean of students, athletics coach, and adjunct professor. Since retiring from public employment, he has transitioned to the non-profit sector and has enjoyed continued engagement with young adults who are seeking to maximize their future opportunities through secondary and post-secondary education. Mark is super-excited about contributing to the ongoing success of Avenue Scholars and looks forward to the day when these students take their places as leaders within the community.
Post Secondary Career Coach for Skilled Trades and Automotive
Growing up on the Southside of Des Moines, Anousith graduated from Lincoln High and continued his education in Culinary Science at Iowa State University. Alongside becoming a young chef in college, Anousith became employed as a yoga and kickboxing instructor. He has lived and worked in several countries taking these arts with him. Every dish became a story and working together became the classroom. In 2022 he found himself being a volunteer for a growing non-profit called Forest Ave Outreach. With time and focus, Anousith became the program manager for “Pathway to Building Trades”. An enriching experience that guided youth to navigate a career path in trade skills. By 2025, Anousith joined Avenue Scholars Des Moines where he intends to help even more youth in our city as a Post Secondary Coach that focuses not only on trade skills, but also the hands-on work that connects us to ourselves.
Career Coach North HS
Minge began her teaching career in 2015, working in early childhood and elementary classrooms before transitioning to high school in 2020. During her time teaching high school special education, she found a deep interest in helping students plan for their futures beyond graduation. That passion led her to Avenue Scholars, where she is excited to support students in exploring careers and postsecondary opportunities. A proud southside Des Moines native and Lincoln High School alum, she attended Iowa State University and continues to stay active in the community as a swim coach. Known for her ability to connect with students and her genuine passion for helping them succeed, she finds the most fulfillment in guiding students toward their goals. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, baking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Career Coach Roosevelt HS
Angela is an Iowa resident who was raised on the South Side of Des Moines. Angela’s experience as a volunteer at a Des Moines transitional shelter for young moms inspired her to pursue an education degree that was meaningful to students on their journey to gain self-sufficiency. She has experience teaching life skills, promoting school to work programs, educating students about necessary employment skills to get and keep employment, and she has taught many classes on the importance of a holistic approach to health which highlighted areas of financial literacy and how one contributes to society. Angela is passionate about helping students build self-sufficiency to grow into the best version of themselves. The Avenue Scholar’s mission aligns with her core beliefs, and she looks forward to educating and guiding students toward the right path to becoming successful members of our community.
Bethany Johnson
Career Coach Lincoln HS
Born and raised in Iowa, Bethany attended Drake University where she earned undergraduate degrees in English and Secondary Education, and later, a Master’s Degree in Literacy Education. After eight years of teaching middle school and high school English, Bethany joined Avenue Scholars Des Moines in the spring of 2024. Bethany has a knack for building positive rapport with her students and is excited to support her students, not only in the classroom, but in their career endeavors as well. In her free time, Bethany enjoys watching crime shows, reading books, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog, Lucy.
Career Coach at Hoover HS
A proud Des Moines native and graduate of North High School, Terri received her undergraduate degree from Drake University, and spent five years living and working in Chicago before returning home to Des Moines to pursue a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from Simpson College. She's spent the last 17 years serving the students and families of Des Moines Public Schools as an English teacher at Lincoln High School and Central Academy. In 2019, Terri gained her Real Estate license and joined the Realty ONE Group Impact family, and currently serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee for the Des Moines Area Real Estate Association.
Post Secondary Career Coach for Health Sciences
Sahira graduated from Roosevelt High School and then pursued her BA in Family Services at UNI. She then continued her education to obtain her Master of Arts in Post Secondary Education: Student Affairs from the University of Northern Iowa. She served as a Program Coordinator for Iowa State’s Multicultural Vision Program, where she led programming and academic intervention initiatives for over 350 first-generation scholarship recipients. Being a first-generation student herself, college was not an easy transition. She quickly got involved in many student organizations which led her to discover her passion, which is helping students navigate college despite the adversities students like herself may encounter. She finds joy in connecting with young scholars, finding ways to help students achieve their educational and lifelong goals. "I believe the most important thing an advisor can do is provide a safe space for students so they can truly be themselves. My advisors always made me feel cared for outside of the classroom setting. Now being on the other side, it is fulfilling to learn from the students as much as they learn from us." Outside of the office, Sahira enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys trying new foods, traveling, working out, and reading a good book!
Post Secondary Career Coach for Health Sciences
After graduating from Iowa State University, she entered the human services/social work field. Sara has worked with many different, diverse populations over the past seven years. The majority of her experience in the field was as a counselor at a youth crisis shelter, where she learned that she most enjoyed working with young people, particularly high schoolers. Working with and partnering with students gives her energy; they have fire in their steps and the world at their fingertips, sometimes all they need is a little guidance along the way. When the opportunity arose at Avenue Scholars, it seemed too good to be true. Avenue Scholars provides her a front row seat to guide and coach, utilizing skills developed over the years as a counselor, case manager, and mentor. Most importantly though, Avenue Scholars gives her the privilege to watch young people grow, learn, and become who they desire to be -- and that's pretty remarkable.