Colleen Cheek joined Activities Beyond the Classroom (ABC) in 2021 as the AAA (Athletic and Academic Accountability) Pathway Manager. In this role, Colleen oversees the AAA Pathway, which is a comprehensive student-athlete development program designed to provide CPS athletes the supports needed to achieve success in both their academics and athletics. Colleen looks forward to using her decade of experience in the professional sports world to build upon an already impressive program.
Colleen comes to ABC from the Reds Community Fund (RCF) where she worked over seven years rising to Senior Outreach Manager. With the RCF, Colleen managed the Reds Rookie Success League in five locations, created the Reds Home Base program, implemented educational programs for the P&G Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy, analyzed RCF program data, and more. Before that, Colleen managed educational programs and donations for more than three years in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets in Community Relations.
Prior to her career, Colleen graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science, in Sport Science. Being born and raised in Cincinnati, Colleen and her husband love all things Cincinnati. Colleen and her husband reside in Silverton with their rescue animals: two cats and a dog. In 2020, they became foster parents with Beech Acres and are now proud foster parents to two CPS high school students.
Austin Gullett, M.Ed currently serves as the Athletics Coordinator at Activities Beyond the Classroom. In his role, he helps oversee ABC’s Elementary Athletics Programing at CPS Schools and assists with 7-12 grade athletics. Austin started with ABC as the KISR Enrichment Manager in October of 2021 before transitioning into his current role. In addition, Austin was named one of the
2022 Next Generation After School Leaders in the entire country by the National Afterschool Association.
Austin comes to ABC from FC Cincinnati and the FC Cincinnati Foundation, where he worked in their Community Relations Department for three years. With FC Cincinnati, Austin helped with FCCF community initiatives such as: Soccer Unites (in school and after-school programming), West End Pride, Fundraising Events and much more.
Prior to his career, Austin obtained his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Northern Kentucky University in 2018 and then his Masters of Education in Sport Administration from Xavier University in 2019.
James Lacey is the Senior Manager of Resource Coordination at ABC. Prior to this role, James was the Resource Coordinator at Woodford Academy, where he is still very active.
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, James is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Marketing. James’ background in marketing and brand strategy has given him a unique set of skills that allow for the successful implementation of programs and strategies to keep families and the CPS community!
Ricky Miller is the Senior Manager of Athletics at Activities Beyond the Classroom. Joining ABC at the start of the 2022-23 school year, Ricky oversees, manages, and assists ABC’s high school athletic directors at Cincinnati Public Schools.
Prior to joining ABC, Ricky held the role of Assistant District Athletics Manager at Cincinnati Public Schools for five years. Ricky was pivotal to the planning and organizing of the inaugural CPS Athletics Basketball All-Star Showcase, which was held at Fifth Third Arena in March 2022.
Kim Ronnebaum is a Programs Manager at ABC. Kim started with Activities Beyond the Classroom in 2014 as the Assistant Program Coordinator at Riverview East Academy, before being promoted to the Family Literacy Specialist in 2015. She began working for non-profit organizations in 2009, beginning with Sisters of Charity as an STNA and then transitioned from a Program Leader to the Assistant Program Coordinator at Saylor Park Elementary with Boys and Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati (BGCGC). Kim received an award in July of 2014 for ‘Programmer of the year’ from BGCGC. She is actively involved in her own children’s education and extracurricular activities, as well as dedicating time to her photography.
Kaitlin Schiltz is the Enrichment Coordinator with Activities Beyond the Classroom. In her role, Kaitlin works to connect over 300 Cincinnati children in the foster care system with enrichment programming.
Kaitlin is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught at Winton Woods Primary South for 7 years before moving to her current role at ABC.
After starting with ABC in 2019 as the Administrative Assistant, Mary’s dedication and work ethic have earned her the promotion to Programs Manager. As the Programs Manager, Mary will aid the organizational efforts of elementary programs such as ABC Clubs, tennis, soccer, and ABC Safety Patrol.
A graduate of Aiken High School, Mary has extensive experience in administration and payroll. Before joining ABC’s team, she was a payroll specialist for a location construction company, and prior to that, spent five years as Office Manager at a hair school.
When not working, Mary enjoys crafting and volunteering at her daughter’s school.
Rachel Stallings joined Activities Beyond the Classroom in 2015 as a site coordinator under the Ohio Department of Education 21st Century Grant, and most recently as the Program Director. Recently promoted to Deputy Director, Rachel writes and manages grant funding for several CPS sites. Rachel also directs the extracurricular programs such as ABC Clubs, tennis, soccer and ABC Safety Patrol for elementary students. Prior to her career with ABC, Rachel received her architectural engineering degree from The University of Cincinnati. After working on federal projects for several years, Rachel followed her passion to better the lives of children working as a tutor, parent coordinator, and after school coordinator. Rachel prides herself on learning from and utilizing her experiences with students, families and the community to provide quality programming to students attending Cincinnati Public Schools.
