About us

Inspiring hope, building confidence, and expanding opportunity since 1980.

Our story

More Than 40 Years of Service

Scholars’ Village assists school districts to provide all scholars with a nurturing learning environment that supports their academic growth, social development, and emotional well-being.

We provide onsite, after-school, micro-school, and Saturday programs in restorative practices, accelerated & remedial academic support, individualized counseling, and community service that assists school districts to strengthen relationships, build student confidence & self-awareness, and renews their enthusiasm for personal goals that prepare them for successful citizenship in a 21st century global environment.

Our award-winning educators also provide executive coaching for administrators, faculty and support staff.

Our Mission

Scholars’ Village, Inc. exists to inspire hope, build confidence, and expand opportunity for children and families through education, mentorship, storytelling, and community engagement.

Our Vision

We envision communities where children are affirmed, educators are respected, families are supported, and learning opens doors to meaningful futures.

Our Values

The principles that guide everything we do.

Equity & Access

Ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive regardless of background.

Respect & Empathy

Fostering understanding, compassion, and mutual respect in every interaction.

Peaceful Coexistence

Building bridges across cultures through education, dialogue, and shared purpose.

Purpose-Driven Learning

Inspiring curiosity and a lifelong love of learning in every scholar.

Community Collaboration

Partnering with families, educators, and organizations for lasting impact.

Our Leadership

Scholars’ Village, Inc. is led by experienced educators and community advocates with
decades of service in K-12 public education, higher education, and community-based
initiatives.

Officers

Roger F. Harris, Ph.D.

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Roger F. Harris has devoted over forty-five years to K-12 education and higher education across Boston, New York City, and New Jersey. A decorated U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, award-winning educator, and recipient of the U.S. Department of Education's National Distinguished Principal Award.

Cheryl Watson-Harris, Ed.D.

Co-Founder & Chief Information Officer

Cheryl Watson-Harris, Ed.D. is a nationally recognized education leader who began her career in Brooklyn, New York, and became the youngest principal in Boston Public Schools. She has held senior leadership roles in some of the nation's largest school systems, including First Deputy Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education and CEO/Superintendent of DeKalb County School District, and currently serves as President of Achieve Atlanta. She holds an Ed.D. from New York University, an Ed.M. from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a B.S. in Education from Fordham University.

Board of Directors

Susan Hackley

retired Harvard Law School Negotiator

Former Managing Director of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, a world-renowned center for negotiation and conflict resolution. She taught negotiation skills worldwide and served as Chair of the Alliance for Peacebuilding.

Jack McClean

Best Selling Author & Vietnam Veteran

Author of "Loon: A Marine Story" (Random House, 2009), a National Best-Selling memoir about his service in the Marine Corps. Vietnam veteran and first veteran to enter Harvard University. Thirty-year marketing career including senior positions at Johnson & Higgins.

Deborah Scott

CEO, Georgia Stand-Up

CEO of Georgia STAND-UP, a "think and act tank" for working families. Over 40 years organizing communities, training activists, protecting voting rights, and building progressive coalitions throughout the South. A 2012 White House Champion of Change, she founded Trade-Up, a workforce development program cited as a best practice model by the Department of Labor.

Gilbert W. Sanborn

Retired President, Greater Circle Advisors

Mr. Sanborn is former President of Great Circle Advisors LLC and retired Chair of the Restructuring Advisory Practice at Barclays Capital. Previously an investment banker at Lehman Brothers and Credit Suisse First Boston. He holds a BA from University of Michigan and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Jinhui Xu, Ed.D.

International Award-Winning Educator

Dr. Xu brings over 30 years of experience in business administration and educational leadership. She holds an Ed.D. in Applied Linguistics and an MBA, with expertise in multilingual education and program evaluation. Dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for underserved communities.

Kathy Smith

Retired Director of Development, Immigrant Learning Center

Director of Development at The Immigrant Learning Center in Malden, MA, for 16 years. Directed fundraising, donor relations, and partnerships with local public schools to support immigrant education.

Dr. James Stokes

Dr. James Stokes is Managing Principal of Meridianscope, Inc., where he leads mission-critical initiatives including economic development projects in South Africa. His career spans healthcare, business and real estate: he served as Dental Director of West End Medical Center and Regional Dental Director for the Fulton County Health Department, owned a dental practice in metropolitan Atlanta, and later a RE/MAX franchise. He is a past president of the DeKalb Chapter of 100 Black Men of America and of the Empire Real Estate Board, and holds a D.D.S. from Howard University.

Martin Somers

Advisory Board

Kathleen Dawson, Ed.D.

Former School Superintendent

Former Deputy Superintendent of Orange County Schools, North Carolina, and Chief Innovation Officer of Guilford County Schools. Over 20 years of leadership in K-12 education including roles as Executive Director of School Support & Improvement for Metro Nashville Public Schools and Headmaster/Principal in Boston Public Schools. Holds an Ed.D. from University of Pennsylvania and Master's from Harvard University.

Thomas Vallely

Thomas J. Vallely, awarded the Silver Star for bravery in the Vietnam War, is Senior Advisor for Vietnam at Columbia University's Weatherhead East Asian Institute. He spent 35 years at Harvard University, where he founded the Harvard Vietnam Program and established the Fulbright Economics Teaching Program in Ho Chi Minh City, and later helped create Fulbright University Vietnam, chairing its board of trustees until 2025. He serves on the board of trustees of Bard College and received the Presidential Citizens Medal in January 2025.

Ron Walker

Ron Walker has served in education for more than five decades as a teacher, vice principal, principal and program developer. He is the founding Executive Director of the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC), created in 2007 to advance the social, emotional, cultural and academic development of boys and young men of color. He is the author of two books about his parents, Solomon's Plan and Delores's Dream.

Staff

Xiomara Vazquez

A proud former Marine and dedicated mother, Xiomara is committed to integrating peace education into school curricula. As a seasoned business owner, she channels her passion into creating transformative educational experiences that inspire harmony.

Ryan Adkins

Ryan graduated from Georgia Tech with a Business degree. After gaining valuable leadership experience, he discovered his creative passion for animation and art at SCAD. Merging analytical expertise with artistic vision, he spearheads innovative projects that bring imagination to life.

Alexandra Leconte

As a project coordinator, Alexandra leads initiatives that turn the concept of peace into everyday reality. Her blend of creativity, business acumen and dedicated leadership helps drive impactful projects forward.

Maurice Gaston

Please Support Our Work

Your generosity helps Scholars’ Village, Inc. continue delivering programs that transform the lives of children, families, and educators.

get in touch

We'd love to hear from you. Whether you're interested in volunteering, donating, or partnering with us, please reach out.