Contact Us

Upward Bound Director

Darrell E. Thornton, Jr. Ed.M

  darrell [dot] thornton [at] gwu [dot] edu (darrell[dot]thornton[at]gwu[dot]edu)

Greetings Upward Bound Family,

It is my hope that this communication finds you well and whole.

I’m Darrell E. Thornton, Jr., Director of Upward Bound here at George Washington University. Born and raised in Lakeland, FL (30 minutes east of Walt Disney). A 2008 graduate of McKeel Academy of Technology and a 2012 graduate of Bethune- Cookman University, with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Exceptional Student Education, K-12.  After graduation I moved to Huntsville, AL where my career began as an Special Education Collaborative Teacher in Title 1 schools  with Huntsville City Schools. After seven years in the classroom I transitioned from K-12 education to higher education and began working at Alabama A&M University as the Coordinator of Upward Bound until June 2021.

In pursuit of furthering my education I enrolled into graduate school and worked as an Assistant Hall Director at SUNY at Buffalo from August 2021 until June 2023. Completing my master’s degree May 2023 in Higher Education Student Affairs Administration.

As a former student of College Reach Out Program (Pre-College Program) and first-generation college student I understand the importance of programs of this magnitude, and its reach into our communities and students. My belief is that Pre-College Programs such as these empower and equip our youth from underrepresented areas, preparing them for post-secondary education and bridging the gap for college readiness. I am eagerly excited to continue the work of serving the communities that represent this population and who I am. Upward Bound here at George Washington University will be the pinnacle site in the “District”.

When I’m not working you will find me in my element of spending time with family and friends, hanging with my Fraternity Brothers (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc), traveling, cooking, hosting gatherings, playing spades (I wrote the game), and laughing. I’m a huge lover of music, HBCU bands/football, Law & Order SVU, Reality TV and Abbott Elementary.

I do believe that every student has the right and ability to learn, it’s our responsibility as educators to show every student this possibility. Lastly, family, I’m very excited and welcoming the opportunity to personally meet every parent and student within this program. Your support and buy-in is greatly needed and wanted. I'm excited about our future here at GW Upward Bound. Remember, let's “Lift, as we climb”.

I firmly believe that “As ONE we all shall rise, TOGETHER nonetheless.”

Program Coordinator

Marina Sanchez

Marina Sanchez serves as the Program Coordinator for GW Upward Bound, where she supports high school students in preparing for college and achieving their academic goals. She is also a PhD student in Counseling at The George Washington University and a licensed bilingual counselor and educator. Marina earned her Master’s degree from the University of Maryland and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona, where she is originally from. Her research interests focus on culturally responsive and bilingual mental health services for Latino and immigrant communities, counselor development, and school-based interventions that promote equity and access. Drawing from her experience in school counseling, higher education, clinical practice, and supervision, Marina is committed to developing strengths-based approaches that support the well-being and success of diverse individuals and communities.  

Program Assistant 

Yolanda Kennedy-Edwards 

Yolanda Kennedy-Edwards is a retired federal leader with 35 years of public service as the Director of the Program Evaluation and Enterprise Risk Staff with the United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. As the Director she provided leadership in program evaluation, audit, data governance, enterprise risk management, strategic planning, internal controls, and organizational improvement. Throughout her career, Yolanda has been recognized for her ability to lead teams, strengthen programs, support organizational effectiveness, and help others reach their full potential.

Yolanda currently serves as a Program Assistant with the George Washington University Upward Bound staff and also enjoys her fun job as a Kitchen Assistant at Sur La Table. She works as a consultant for start-up business ventures, using her leadership, planning, and organizational development experience to help emerging entrepreneurs build strong foundations. Yolanda also serves as the Chief Operating Officer of McCauley Plaza International, a family-owned and operated real estate business established to create generational wealth. In addition, she is passionate about mentoring young ladies and encouraging them to grow in confidence, purpose, leadership, and wisdom. Yolanda is a loving wife to Larry Edwards, and they are blessed with four children, Denise, David, Lakia, and Donovan, and three grandchildren, Elijah, Zayden, and Kennedy.