Paige Artis
Paige Artis is a proud native of Baltimore City. Paige obtained both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Human Services Administration from the University of Baltimore. It has been Paige’s passion and service to identify and address barriers impacting student success. Paige continued this focus and became a school counselor after obtaining her Masters of Education degree from Loyola University, Maryland in 2019. Through Paige’s school counseling experiences and working with over 600 elementary students, she provided students with opportunities of leadership and advocacy through workshops and small groups.
Paige has over ten years of combined experience in providing preventative and proactive services to individuals and families within surrounding communities. Paige continues to lead with passion, creativity, and engagement to reach students and families throughout Baltimore City.
In Paige’s leisure time, she enjoys road trips, bike rides, Marvel movies, and spending time with her family.
Elsa Cardin
A relentless believer in the resilience and limitless potential of young people, Elsa is excited to show up every day for Baltimore City students. Beginning her higher education journey as a non-traditional student with a G.E.D., Elsa is a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia. College opened up a rewarding career as a data analyst at tech and economic development companies, and Elsa is committed to opening doors for students during a critical age of growth and self-discovery with CollegeBound’s Early College Awareness team.
Outside of work hours, Elsa is a devoted mother, dance arts performer and teacher, and community builder. On a typical weekend you can find her cheering loudly at youth sports events or organizing community arts and wellness events.
Tawanda Clark
Tawanda Clark is a true Baltimorean who loves to eat Maryland Blue Crabs with family and friends. She has two brilliant sons who attended Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS). Tawanda understands in a very personal way the benefits of being a CollegeBound scholar; her eldest son was a CollegeBound Foundation scholarship recipient in 2017. Tawanda has a passion for the BCPSS students, believing they can soar and become successful college graduates with the proper guidance from someone who has “been there and done that.” Tawanda is a graduate of the BCPSS, and she has acquired an Associate of Arts in Business Management from The Community College of Baltimore County and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of Baltimore. Tawanda spent two years in the Baltimore City school system as a long‐term substitute teacher for various schools, while there she developed a love for teaching students phonics and reading comprehension. Tawanda believes that her experience with CollegeBound, her passion to see the Baltimore City students soar, and her life journey are the keys she needs to serve our scholars well.
443-863-8470
tclark@collegeboundfoundation.org
Joel Conde
Joel Conde, from Prince George’s County, Maryland, is a passionate community advocate with a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition from Morgan State University. As a first-generation college student, he understands the importance of education and community support. Now a resident of Baltimore City, he brings a decade of experience in the nonprofit and education spaces, having worked as both a teacher and recreation leader for the city, a facilitator for B’more Healthy Kids, and as a training specialist for Global Refuge. Joel also volunteers as a supplemental instructor and academic tutor for the Goucher Prison Education Partnership, supporting incarcerated students in their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. In his spare time, he enjoys playing pick-up basketball, as well as camping, biking, traveling, and spending time with his family.
E’Tona Ford
E’Tona, a Baltimore native, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The Pennsylvania State University. During her time at Penn State, she was a varsity student-athlete on the Women’s Gymnastics Team and followed in her mother’s footsteps, becoming a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. After graduating from college, E’Tona returned to Baltimore with a desire to be a beacon of light to others through acts of service. She pursued work in education, athletics, and research—teaching and empowering students with diverse learning abilities at Kennedy Krieger High School, inspiring and coaching gymnasts to build confidence and achieve maximum performance outcomes at several gymnastics clubs, and coordinating adult and pediatric research studies within the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Johns Hopkins. Prior to joining CollegeBound Foundation, E’Tona spent six years valuing the arts as a conduit to transformation and inspiration in the lives of students to improve achievement outcomes at Arts for Learning Maryland. In 2021, she was promoted to Director, After School Arts for Learning Academy (ASALA), where she took a people-centric approach to leadership and strove with a team of dedicated individuals to bridge the opportunity gap within the city of Baltimore through the organization’s free after-school program. Through mentorship and guidance from both leaders and peers at Arts for Learning Maryland, she developed an interest and passion for becoming a change agent for equity. E’Tona is proud to be joining an organization committed to advocacy by disrupting historically inequitable systems to connect future leaders with opportunities, and she is elated to help push the work forward!
eford@collegeboundfoundation.org
Brandon Griffin
Brandon Griffin is a Baltimore native who attended Morgan State University (c/o 2018). While at Morgan State he was a part of the 2014 MEAC championship football team that earned a trip to the FCS playoffs. After getting his degree in business administration, his love for developing young adults led him to coach football at Mississippi State University for the 2019 season. After a season at Mississippi State Brandon held a position as the safeties coach and video coordinator at Gannon University. After a short stint with Gannon he went on to be a graduate assistant at Old Dominion University working with the defensive line. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Journalism from Morgan State University.
443-756-4244
bgriffin@collegeboundfoundation.org