CRC Team

Jennifer Kunze is the Ramp-Up to Readiness Director within the College Readiness Consortium. As the director she writes curriculum, curates social media content, leads program communication, trains and supports educators using the program across the country, and learns constantly. 

She attended St. Olaf College and received B.A. degrees in History and Social Studies Education. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching high school social studies for several years before taking a sabbatical to study curriculum and instruction at the University of Minnesota. At the University she earned an M.A. degree in Social Studies Education that focused on Authentic Pedagogy as defined by Fred Newmann and his associates at the University of Wisconsin. 

Jennifer then worked as a district secondary instructional mentor, supporting teachers in all subject areas at five different schools. During this tenure she observed and provided feedback for over 500 teachers. Feeling the urge to learn and grow she then returned to the University of Minnesota to marry her two research interests: effective pedagogy and high quality professional development. She earned a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Administration but spent a great amount of time in Curriculum & Instruction as well. 

Upon graduation Jennifer worked as a district learning and teaching coordinator, where she collaborated with teachers to develop and implement curriculum, led an instructional coaching team that provided job-embedded professional development for early education, as well as elementary, middle and high school sites, facilitated teacher leaders in their learning and leadership, teamed with other district leaders to create a teacher evaluation system, and oversaw Q Comp, an alternative compensation program. 

Jennifer was part of a lead team that studied, created and implemented a system-wide college readiness plan that included the Ramp-Up to Readiness program. She strongly believes in college for all and sees it as an equity issue.

Kevin Xiong is the College Readiness Coordinator in the College Readiness Consortium. Kevin received a B.A. in American Studies and Educational Studies from Macalester College and a M.A. in Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology from the University of Minnesota. As the College Readiness Coordinator, Kevin partners with K-12 educators, youth workers, and programs across the UMN campuses to promote college readiness. 

Prior to this position, Kevin was a high school counselor and academic advisor for the TRIO Student Support Services program. As a high school counselor, he counseled students in online, hybrid, and in-person learning environments. In his position as an academic advisor, he worked with students who identified as first-generation college students, students from low- to moderate- income families, and students with disabilities. As an advisor he also taught a college success course for first-year students. He has also worked with multiple college access programs throughout the Twin Cities.

Kevin brings an extensive background in college access and success. He believes that all students should have equitable access to college and encourages life-long learning for all students.