Traymanesha Moore, PhD
Executive Director, Newark Thrives!
Dr. Traymanesha Moore is a youth development professional with over fifteen years experience in youth leadership and empowerment, program design, and higher education administration. Dr. Moore currently serves as founding Executive Director of Newark Thrives!, Newark's premier out-of-school time (OST) network. Established in 2016, Newark Thrives! seeks to strengthen and align cross-sector expanded learning opportunities for Newark’s school-age youth. As executive director, Traymanesha Moore works closely with community stakeholders to establish a citywide vision and strategy for out-of-school time which includes implementing research and evaluation systems that improve youth outcomes, enhancing program quality, encouraging the leveraging of resources, and advocating for policies that increase opportunities for Newark youth.
Dr. Moore is also the Chief Executive Officer of Javilyn Consulting, LLC, a curriculum design, research, and evaluation agency, and a former adjunct professor in Rutgers University-Newark’s School of Public Affairs & Administration where she taught the Mentoring as Public Service undergraduate and graduate level course. Through a partnership with Newark Public Schools, Professor Moore’s course provided mentorship opportunities for Rutgers college students and West Side High School students.
Most recently, Traymanesha Moore served as the Assistant Dean for Pre-College Academic Support Services for the Rutgers University-Newark Academic Foundations Center, managing six pre-college programs: Aim High Academy, Rutgers Future Scholars, TRIO Upward Bound, TRiO Talent Search, TRiO Talent Search East, and the RU-NEXT Program. Dean Moore spearheaded the Rutgers Future Scholars-Newark Program and summer learning collaborative partnerships with the Cooperman College Scholars Program and College Summit, and launched the RU-NEXT Program before her departure.
Dr. Traymanesha Moore holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology with minors in Childhood Studies and African American Studies from Rutgers University-Camden, and a PhD in Curriculum, Teaching, and Educational Policy from Michigan State University. She received the inaugural New Jersey Nets & Devils Outstanding Achievement Award in 2003, the 2003 Paul Robeson Cultural Center Award for Excellence, and the College Summit Community Engagement Award in 2015.
Dr. Moore is also the Chief Executive Officer of Javilyn Consulting, LLC, a curriculum design, research, and evaluation agency, and a former adjunct professor in Rutgers University-Newark’s School of Public Affairs & Administration where she taught the Mentoring as Public Service undergraduate and graduate level course. Through a partnership with Newark Public Schools, Professor Moore’s course provided mentorship opportunities for Rutgers college students and West Side High School students.
Most recently, Traymanesha Moore served as the Assistant Dean for Pre-College Academic Support Services for the Rutgers University-Newark Academic Foundations Center, managing six pre-college programs: Aim High Academy, Rutgers Future Scholars, TRIO Upward Bound, TRiO Talent Search, TRiO Talent Search East, and the RU-NEXT Program. Dean Moore spearheaded the Rutgers Future Scholars-Newark Program and summer learning collaborative partnerships with the Cooperman College Scholars Program and College Summit, and launched the RU-NEXT Program before her departure.
Dr. Traymanesha Moore holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology with minors in Childhood Studies and African American Studies from Rutgers University-Camden, and a PhD in Curriculum, Teaching, and Educational Policy from Michigan State University. She received the inaugural New Jersey Nets & Devils Outstanding Achievement Award in 2003, the 2003 Paul Robeson Cultural Center Award for Excellence, and the College Summit Community Engagement Award in 2015.
Josephine Russo, MSW
Director of Research & Evaluation, Newark Thrives!
Josephine Russo is a social justice advocate and program development specialist with a wealth of experience working in education evaluation, homeless outreach, crisis intervention, sexual assault, and domestic violence counseling. Ms. Russo is currently the Director of Research & Evaluation at Newark Thrives!, Newark's premier out-of-school time (OST) network established to strengthen and align cross-sector expanded learning opportunities for Newark youth. In this role, Ms. Russo conducts quantitative and qualitative research, and collects, monitors, and analyzes information in the Newark Thrives database system. Additionally, Ms. Russo manages network communications and provides Newark Thrives! stakeholders access to network data reports.
Ms. Russo also serves as Field Consultant for Bell Afterschool and the National Summer Learning Association where she provides program assessment based on national performance standards across the country and conducts trainings on best practices in quality assurance.
Josephine Russo most recently served as the Program Development & Evaluation Specialist at United Way of Essex & West Hudson where she oversaw evaluation of all health, income, and education programs, and conducted site visits to evaluate and improve the quality of OST programs throughout the City of Newark. Her work is grounded in her belief in the power and effectiveness of collaboration and data-driven social change.
Ms. Russo holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a focus on program design, evaluation and nonprofit management from the University of Pennsylvania. Josephine Russo has a passion for advancing society through innovation and evidence-based practices.
Ms. Russo also serves as Field Consultant for Bell Afterschool and the National Summer Learning Association where she provides program assessment based on national performance standards across the country and conducts trainings on best practices in quality assurance.
Josephine Russo most recently served as the Program Development & Evaluation Specialist at United Way of Essex & West Hudson where she oversaw evaluation of all health, income, and education programs, and conducted site visits to evaluate and improve the quality of OST programs throughout the City of Newark. Her work is grounded in her belief in the power and effectiveness of collaboration and data-driven social change.
Ms. Russo holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a focus on program design, evaluation and nonprofit management from the University of Pennsylvania. Josephine Russo has a passion for advancing society through innovation and evidence-based practices.
