Moderator

• 
  Marianne Mosley

  Marianne has been with Kentucky Educational Television for more than 29 years, the past 21 years as a producer/project manager in the education division at Kentucky Educational Television for more than 21 years. She coordinates the national community engagment activities for Dropping Back In.

Participants

• 
  Hasan Davis

  Panelist

  A youth advocate and former Kentucky Commissioner of Juvenile Justice, Hasan Davis faced many challenges as a child: family crises, learning disabilities, a pre-teen arrest, and multiple expulsions. Because of the encouraging faith of a former principal and his mother, he persevered, earned a GED® diploma, a bachelor’s degree at Berea College in Kentucky, and went on to get a law degree at the University of Kentucky.

• 
  Kellie Blair Hardt

  Panelist

  Kellie Blair Hardt faced serious personal and educational challenges as a child. The daughter of an alcoholic parent, she was often homeless and in trouble at school, and she was ultimately expelled. Kellie finally found the path to a more stable life through Harpers Ferry Job Corps. In 2013, she was one of five teachers nationwide to receive the National Education Association’s Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence and is pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education with a focus on adults entering postsecondary education with alternative diplomas. She teaches math and science at The Lab School in Washington D.C. and uses her own story and an ever present, engaging sense of humor to inspire her students.

• 
  Carrie Root and Samantha Ousley

  Panelist

  Partnercorps mentor Carrie Root met Samantha Ousley, who became pregnant while still in high school, through a Parenting for Success program in Knox County, Kentucky. Samantha earned her high school diploma online while dealing with multiple personal challenges. And though the Parenting for Success program only lasted six weeks, Carrie and Samantha have continued their mentoring relationship as Carrie hopes to provide the support and encouragement Samantha needs to continue to pursue the education she needs to make a good life for herself and her son, Aiden. A young mother as well, Carrie holds two degrees from the University of the Cumberlands and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in special education. She continues to serve as a mentor in the Partnercorps program at Knox Central High School.

• 
  Marcie Crim, moderator

  Panelist

  Marcie Crim is a proud Lexington native who has returned home to work at KET as the Marketing and Publications Manager for Adult Education. Marcie previously worked as the Vice President of Development and Marketing for WNIN, Tri-State Public Media (NPR & PBS) in Evansville, IN, and as the General Manager of WMMT-FM, Community Radio of Appalshop, Inc. Marcie is a former Community Columnist for the Lexington Herald Leader, a founder of the Lexicon Project, and has worked as a consultant for the Ford Foundation.