Angela Corley

Dr. Angela J. Corley is an advocate for opportunities in postsecondary education for underrepresnted students, particularly those who come from rural communities. For the past several years, she has worked for Florida A&M Univerisity (FAMU), wherein she as held positions with the FAMU Upward Bound progam, FAMU College Reach-Out Program (CROP), and FAMU Eduational Talent Search program. In these roles, she has provided college readiness services to TRIO participants, who are potential first-generation college students. She has performed numerous counseling sessions, workshops, instructional activities, and speaking engagements; which are centered on professional development, financial aid training, maneuvering the college application process, and building non-cognitive skills. Through her experiences with first-generation college students, Dr. Corley was inspired to conducted an applied research study called, “Understanding the College Readiness Experiences of Rural High School Students in Pursuit of Postseconday Education.”

Prior to working in Higher Education, Dr. Corley spent several years serving as a Public Relations professional, for a major non-profit organization located in Cincinnati, OH, called, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. She was an integal part of the community engagement team, which helped to raise awareness for the $110 million capital campaign for the completion of this museum; which uses the stories of heroic leaders from the Underground Railroad to inspire modern-day freedom conductors. During her tenure at the Freedom Center, Dr. Corley served as a communications professional who provided expertise in building strategic partnerships, leading community forums, developing publications, managing volunteers, and event planning. Dr. Corley’s experiences at the Freedom Center, sparked her spirit of activism, which she uses today, to connect students to opportunities in education.