Tim Herron, National Director

The Act Six Initiative was developed by Tim Herron, a National Board Certified teacher who spent ten years in Tacoma Public Schools teaching mathematics and advocating for scores of Lincoln High School students as they made the journey to college. In the process, he developed critical relationships with college admissions and financial aid staff around the region as well as with local scholarship providers. Act Six grew out of these relationships and his passion to see students from urban Tacoma thrive in college and use their education and leadership to make a difference in their home communities.

As Act Six national director, Tim provides leadership and support for a growing network of Act Six affiliates in cities and colleges around the country. For the Washington initiative, Tim works primarily with scholars at Whitworth, Gonzaga, and PLU.

Kenneth Young, Associate Director

Kenneth joined the Act Six leadership team after an administrative career in Washington's community college system, most recently serving as Assistant Dean for Student Services at Green River Community College. Prior to his work in the community college system, he worked in a variety of social service organizations in Seattle. A Tacoma native and graduate of Lincoln High School, Kenneth brings both extensive experience and a deep passion for supporting student success in higher education.

In his role as Act Six associate director, Kenneth assists in the development of new national affiliates while helping to develop innovative new applications of the Act Six model. For the Washington initiative, Kenneth works primarily with the scholars in the Urban Service Track to Trinity Lutheran College and at Northwest University.

Crystal Viken, Assistant Director

Crystal graduated from Lincoln High School and headed to Whitworth University along with the first cadre of Act Six scholars. After finishing her B.A. in International Studies with a minor in Peace Studies, Crystal joined the Act Six staff, where she coordinates greater Seattle area recruitment and the overall selection process while providing critical administrative support. She works primarily with scholars at Northwest, Whitworth, and Gonzaga Universities.

Rodney McAuley, Spokane Director

Prior to joining the Act Six team, Rodney spent twenty years in sales and credit management for an aluminum manufacturer, eight years as a full time pastor, and two years as a family advocate in the Spokane Public Schools. He is a graduate of Lincoln High School and is originally from Tacoma. Rodney has a passion for reconciliation and building bridges across racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and generational differences.

Rodney will work to launch Act Six in Spokane by coordinating recruitment, selection, and training. Rodney works with scholars from Whitworth and Gonzaga Universities.

Nissana Nov, Program Assistant

An Act Six alumna from the second cadre at Whitworth University, Nissana graduated in May 2008 with a B.A. in cross-cultural studies and French.   She serves on the Act Six team as a member of Northwest Leadership Foundation's AmeriCorps team.  A graduate of Henry Foss High School, Nissana is responsible for recruitment in the greater Tacoma area and works primarily with scholars at PLU and in the Urban Service Track to Trinity Lutheran College.