There are more than 250 dedicated staff members who work to ensure the success of our Wave-Makers. Each student receives personalized attention from a qualified and caring team of administrators, educators, and psychologists.

Founding Directors

Glenn W. Holsclaw is the Executive Director of Making Waves Education Program. His work as a social entrepreneur focuses on developing and implementing innovative programs to ensure that urban children, living in economically depressed communities, acquire the skills necessary to gain acceptance to and graduate from four-year colleges and universities. His work experience includes more than twenty-five years of skills development in the public, non-profit and private sectors, including Hewlett-Packard, Container Corporation of America and San Francisco State University, where he was a faculty member for fifteen years. He is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Bay Area Discovery Museum, a children’s museum located in Sausalito and The Branson School, an independent high school located in Ross. Currently, he is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Breakthrough Collaborative (formerly Summerbridge National), a program designed to aid middle school students in the acquisition of skills necessary to succeed in competitive high schools. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Hamlin School, an independent K-8 school located in San Francisco and the California Academy of Science, the oldest scientific institution in the west. He received his Bachelors of Art degree from Santa Clara University, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Washington. Mr. Holsclaw resides in Contra Costa County with his wife, Donna.

Jessica Wright-Davis is the Director of Academic and Student Affairs at Making Waves Education Program. In 1995, she joined the Making Waves community as a tutor/teacher for the First Wave while teaching social science and Leadership at a local high school. That same year, she became the Associate Program Director. In 2001, she transitioned into the Director of Academic Affairs, focusing on the expansion of the program’s academic support services. In 2004, her position evolved to include the role of Director of Student Affairs, working to ensure that Making Waves Education Program resources are utilized to holistically serve our students and families. Ms. Wright-Davis has a Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies and a California Teaching Credential from California State University Hayward (now East Bay). She also has a Masters of Arts in Ethnic Studies from San Francisco State University. She resides in Oakland with her husband and children.

Melissa Fries is the Program Director at Making Waves Education Program’s San Francisco office. She began her affiliation with the Program in 1995 and over the five years prior to working full time in the organization, her roles ranged from tutor to board member. Ms. Fries became a full-time staff member in 2000, but her interest in education began as an undergraduate when she took a class on racism and its effects on our society. After earning her Bachelors of Arts, she served as a substitute teacher in the Santa Barbara School District. Upon completion of her graduate work, she launched her career in college administration. After five years of running various college offices and programs, she left her job as an administrator at Stanford University to work at Making Waves Education Program. She opened the San Francisco branch of Making Waves Education Program in the fall of 2001. Ms. Fries is a graduate of the Black Studies Department at the University of California at Santa Barbara and the School of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. She resides in San Francisco.

Making Waves Families

Research shows that family involvement is critical to academic achievement. Through monthly family forums and our parent group, Tsunami, families use their talents to support the program and their children. During their 8-year commitment, our dynamic parents provide translation services, outreach, fundraising, parenting classes and meals.

© Copyright 2008 Making Waves. All rights reserved.
please send questions or comments to info@making-waves.org
site by 5 happiness webmaster