Egan Conway
Co-founder and President
Egan’s journey in education is one marked by passion, purpose, and innovation. From humble beginnings, he has always believed in the transformative power of education—not just as a means to personal growth, but as a tool to uplift communities and close the gap for underprivileged learners.
His academic path began with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a foundation that deepened his understanding of human behavior, motivation, and the social barriers that often hinder educational access. Never one to stop learning, while pursuing his MBA and further expanding his strategic and leadership capabilities, he has earned industry-recognized certifications in Microsoft, Cisco, Cloud Security, and AWS—demonstrating a lifelong commitment to staying ahead of the curve in both technology and education.
But Egan’s greatest impact lies not just in what he has learned, but in what he has built. As Co-Founder of AcademicONE, he pioneered one of the first online whiteboard applications designed specifically for education—an innovative tool that broke down barriers for students and teachers in virtual learning environments. His vision was simple yet powerful: create equitable learning opportunities that reach every student, regardless of background or location.
The tools he developed have gone on to make measurable, life-changing differences. Among many successes, his educational solutions have helped raise test scores for numerous K-12 learners by more than 55%, giving students not just better academic outcomes but renewed confidence and hope for the future.
Throughout his 35-year career, Egan has combined technical expertise with strategic insight, leading successful initiatives in project management, business development, and systems engineering. His solutions have been adopted by major organizations including Lockheed Martin, Merck Medco, GTE, Neustar, and Tec-Masters Inc.—but his heart has always remained with education.
As Co-Founder and President of CCAA, Egan continues to champion K-12 education. His mission is more than just academic excellence; it’s about changing lives. Through his efforts, countless K-12 students have gained the skills, confidence, and support needed to pursue brighter futures. Many have gone on to college, meaningful careers, and stable lives they once thought unreachable.
Egan’s educational journey is far from over. Every classroom he supports, every tool he develops, and every student he reaches adds another chapter to a story defined by hope, innovation, and impact. His legacy is clear: empowering learners today to become the leaders of tomorrow
Gloria A. Dunnivan, Ph.D.
Co-founder and Exec Vice President
With a formidable academic background, Gloria’s journey is a testament to her dedication and passion for education. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Education, which laid the foundation for her further education. She pursued Master’s degrees in Educational Administration and Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in reading and language arts, honing her skills in these crucial areas. Her academic journey culminated in a PhD in K-12 Leadership and Administration, Curriculum, and Professional Development, a testament to her commitment to continuous learning and growth. She also holds various licenses, including a permanent teacher license, Administration license, Principal license Reading Endorsement Preschool – Adults, and a Pastor’s license, showcasing her diverse skill set and versatility.
Gloria’s journey in the nonprofit sector is a testament to her resilience and adaptability. It began in 1998 when she founded an organization that made a significant impact. Despite the unfortunate setback of the pandemic in 2022, she continued to persevere, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to her mission. During its operation, the nonprofit was awarded an impressive 28 million dollars in grants, a testament to Gloria’s exceptional grant writing and program administration skills.
Gloria’s role as a Curriculum Specialist in an urban school district was marked by a Significant Achievement. She spearheaded a grant application with Kent State University, titled Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for a Postsecondary Program (GEAR UP), which was awarded $575,000 a year for seven years, with a partnership match of $575,000. Her subsequent role as the grant administrator in the school district led to transformative outcomes. The program, which initially served 2,000 6th and 7th graders, saw a remarkable increase in the graduation rate from 50% to 81%, and the postsecondary education rate from 30% to 72%. Notably, 85% of students who attended college graduated in three years, surpassing the national average of 50% in six years. These results underscore Gloria’s ability to drive positive change in education.
Recognizing her impact on the program after the grant period ended, Kent State retained her as the program director, allowing qualified high school students to enroll in Kent State and take classes that counted for high school credit. The school district or the state paid for tuition. We had 1,000 plus students from 186 high schools in 50 Ohio Counties. We also served seven urban districts in Ohio. We brought in over two million dollars a year to the university. Eighty-five percent of those students graduated in three years.
After leaving Kent State, Gloria worked at a medical university as the Director of Curriculum for K-12 professional degrees. She also worked with urban and rural school districts and universities in Ohio.
Undeterred, she began a new venture in 2023, Co-Founding the nonprofit CCAA.
Mrs. Cara Parker
Director of Academic Studies
Cara Parker has established a notable career combining her dedication to education and her passion for the arts. For 16 years, she excelled as the Kent State University College Credit Plus Academic Coordinator, where her leadership significantly impacted student success in obtaining college credit while in middle school and high school. Cara credits her participation in the Upward Bound Program at Kent State University for her drive to help students with their college transition.
Cara’s deep-rooted passion for music and theater has not only seen her star in pivotal plays such as “Black Girl” and “A Long Time Since Yesterday” at the African Community Theatre at Kent State University, but also in portraying influential figures like Ida B. Wells for a Women’s Equality Day event through the Women’s Resource Center at the same institution, as well as Rosa Parks for a Black History Month event.
As an aspiring songwriter, Cara has penned over 1,000 songs, showcasing her versatile talent and creative vision. She plans to begin a Songwriting Certificate Program through Berklee Online during Summer 2024. As a graduate of Electronic Media and Production, Cara continues to enjoy hands-on experiences working behind the scenes of television, film, and music videos, as well as assisting social media projects. Cara continues to be a valuable resource in education, music, branding, and the theatrical arts. Her extensive experience and enthusiasm make her a pivotal figure in every project she undertakes, inspiring those around her with her expertise and commitment to the arts and education.
Dr. Charles Bowman, Ph.D.
Director STEM Mentor / Cluster Clubs
Dr. Bowman is a passionate advocate for young learners. He is dedicated to empowering marginalized communities. Holding a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, he is a former high school and college mathematics educator. His lived experience as an underrepresented Black male in education has provided him with a unique perspective, allowing him to challenge stereotypes and serve as a voice of change within the classroom, benefiting students from all backgrounds.
Dr. Bowman believes that culturally relevant teaching practices are essential for bridging gaps in education. He is committed to creating classroom environments that foster engagement and highlight the brilliance of every student. In addition to his work in education, Dr. Bowman is the author of The Adventures of Charlie, a children’s book series inspired by his own life. The series addresses key topics such as labels, confidence, role models, and dreams/goals, offering valuable lessons and teachable moments for young readers. Through his books, Dr. Bowman aims to provide hope and guidance to children who may not have advocates in their lives, showing them that with the right support and examples, they can change the trajectory of their futures.
Believing that young minds are most impressionable in their early years, Dr. Bowman seeks to make a lasting impact by putting empowering, culturally relevant reading material in the hands of children at a pivotal time in their development.
Andrew Tam BSEE | MBA
Education Access Advocate | AI Advisor
For more than 40 years, Andrew has turned innovation into impact. From the boardrooms of Wall Street to classrooms in underserved communities, his work bridges two worlds — advanced technology and equitable opportunity. His mission is simple yet powerful: to open doors for the next generation through education, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership.
Andrew’s career began in financial technology leadership at Citi and Daiwa, where he helped build systems that powered global finance. Later, as CIO/COO in manufacturing and co-founder of an early online education startup, he brought that same pioneering mindset to industries that shape everyday life. His expertise in optimizing supply chains, technology platforms, and organizational systems has helped businesses grow stronger and more resilient — lessons he now applies to strengthen communities.
For the past 15 years, Andrew has devoted his experience and energy to creating pathways for underserved youth to thrive in the digital and AI-driven economy. Through STEM and workforce development initiatives, he equips students with practical, future-ready skills — transforming potential into progress. Every project he leads helps close the opportunity gap and builds a more inclusive, tech-enabled future.
Andrew believes that lasting change happens through collaboration. Donors and partners who share his vision play a vital role in expanding access to education and ensuring no talented young person is left behind. Together, we can connect innovation with compassion — and turn learning into lifelong opportunity.
“Technology has always been about solving problems. My goal is to make sure it solves the right ones — the ones that change lives.”