NACEP Welcomes Carla Yorke as New Program Development Coordinator

We are thrilled to announce the addition of Carla Yorke as the new Program Development Coordinator for NACEP.

Ms. Yorke has devoted her 20-year career to creating and implementing programs for youth and young adults, emphasizing early career exploration, college preparation, and life skills development. As the Dual Enrollment Manager at Cerritos Community College, Carla spearheaded the design and launch of the College’s Early College Model program. This initiative involved collaboration with three K-12 school districts and served 90 students in its inaugural year, greatly enhancing the College's relationships with its 14 high school partners. Additionally, Ms. Yorke also has extensive experience with grant-funded projects, having managed a portfolio of state, federal, and private grants supporting public sector initiatives totaling $10 million.

Ms. Yorke is no stranger to NACEP. “I attended my first National Conference in 2017 and that experience opened my eyes. I gained a new understanding of these programs, their impact, and the important role they play in the national education landscape. Little did I know that seven years later  I would be working for the organization today. I am truly excited to contribute to the national work of dual enrollment and support those in the field who are creating academic opportunities for their students every day.”

A native of Los Angeles, Carla holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurial Studies, and a Master’s Degree in Education, both from the University of Southern California. She loves to travel and is excited to connect with members across the country to support their work. 

In her role as  Program Development Coordinator, Ms. Yorke will support a diverse portfolio of activities. She will help advance NACEP’s work to support program quality in all 50 states, cultivate and empower the next generation of emerging leaders through the Leadership Academy, and support NACEP volunteer activities including the rapidly growing network of NACEP Affiliated Chapters. 

This is the third program-focused staff member to join the NACEP team since Amy Williams took the helm as Executive Director in 2019, with a vision to deepen and refine NACEP’s work for members. Williams stated, “Carla brings a unique blend of passion and thoughtfulness to addressing the challenges and opportunities in education. Her diverse background in policy and practice, both in the public and private sectors will enhance our efforts to provide practical, impactful solutions to the challenges in our field.”

Please join us in welcoming Carla Yorke to the NACEP team!