Our Focus
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ was created to empower low-income parents to choose what is best for their child.
69% of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ parents are employed; 13% hold more than one job.
84% of students are minorities.
OurMission & Values
At the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ (51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ), our mission is to empower families to choose the school that best fits their child’s unique educational needs.
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ provides scholarships to low-income, K-12 children who are not succeeding in their current environment. Scholarships are funded by the donation of corporate and individual Alabama income tax liability.
Every Alabama child has an equal opportunity to a quality education, which can only occur when educators and local communities are empowered to create diverse learning options and all parents are empowered to match their children to the learning option that best meets their needs.
Our Board of Directors
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ is governed by an unpaid, volunteer board of directors.
Our Team
List of Services
-
Andy RyanList Item 1
Executive Director
Andy came to Alabama in 2012 through the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education teaching fellows program. Before joining the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ team, he taught and administrated at a K-8 school in Mobile, where he witnessed firsthand the lives that were being transformed by the scholarship program. Andy earned his BA in English Writing and Rhetoric from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas and his Master of Education from the University of Notre Dame.
-
Meghan Presnell
Marketing Director
Meghan Presnell is a communications and marketing expert with over 14 years of experience, specializing in strategies that amplify audience engagement and drive growth. Passionate about education reform, Meghan has dedicated much of her career to advancing school choice policies and expanding educational opportunities for families. As a parent, she has firsthand experience with the benefits of school choice programs, with both of her children participating in these programs since kindergarten. Prior to joining 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, she worked with non-profit education policy organizations, as well as retail and government contracting sectors, to develop brand identities and create user experiences that enhance outreach and impact.
A proud graduate of Florida State University, Meghan lives in Tallahassee, Florida with her husband, two children, and two dogs.
-
Abbie SchofieldList Item 2
Operations Manager
Originally from the small town of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Abbie learned firsthand the value and lasting effect that scholarships and grants can provide to a student in need. Because of those opportunities provided, Abbie graduated from the University of Alabama in 2016 where she received her BS in Accounting and Operations Management. After working in various managment roles for a large company, she found her passion in helping students and families reach their education goals.
Abbie proudly resides in Alabama with her husband, son, cat, and dog.
-
Casandra MeguiarList Item 3
Development Manager
Casandra came to Alabama as a military spouse. She attended and graduated from Columbus State University in 2020 with a BA degree in Communication Studies and pursued a career as an educator. In 2022, she left teaching and found purpose in the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, in which she is still able to make an impact in the realm of education. Since joining the team, Casandra has worked directly with families across the state, assisting them in the application process and recording their stories on how the scholarship has helped their family, while simultaneously acting as the main contact for donors and efficiently guiding them through the donation process. Casandra lives in rural Alabama with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs.
-
Chloe Duren
Parent Outreach Liaison
Originally from Mobile, Chloe was raised by two teachers who instilled in her the value of educational opportunity from an early age. She graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2023 with a bachelor’s in political science and philosophy with a focus in human rights and social justice and honors in global & community leadership. Chloe is passionate about educational justice and providing equitable opportunities to all students.
