Mary Sylvia Harrison brings experience leading initiatives to improve education and college readiness to her role as an independent consultant. Formerly, she oversaw the Nellie Mae Education Foundation’s programs, New England’s largest foundation dedicated exclusively to education.

Prior to joining the Nellie Mae Education Foundation in 2008, Mary was President and CEO of The College Crusade of Rhode Island. Under her leadership, the organization became the state’s most comprehensive college readiness and scholarship program for students in low-income urban school districts.

Mary served on the Rhode Island Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education from 1994 to 1999, and represented The College Crusade as Core Partner with the Providence Public Schools in a Carnegie Corporation-funded High School Redesign initiative. Prior to joining The College Crusade, she was Executive Director of Times2, a nonprofit provider of math and science enrichment programs for underserved learners.

Mary holds a B.A. from Villanova University and a J.D. from Antioch School of Law.