SNHU School of Education
2500 North River Road
Manchester, NH 03106
Ben Gentry, Ed.D., M.Ed., M.F.A
SNHU - The Chandler Center
2527 North River Road
Hooksett, NH 03106
(603) 370-2530
BEN GENTRY - DIRECTOR
Though he recently earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at Southern New Hampshire University, Ben Gentry remains a lifelong learner dedicated to inspiring a passion for learning in others. He currently works as the Assistant Director for College Access and Strategies at SNHU where he runs the Breakthrough Manchester College-Bound program, serving both highly motivated, under-resourced high school students on their path to post-secondary success and aspiring, pre-professional college students on their path to leadership and teacher development. Aside from college access and success work, Ben enjoys teaching writing and research, great storytelling regardless of medium, spending time with his wife and two young daughters, and exploring how video game design elements like freedom to fail and clear feedback can be embedded in education.
When SNHU announced its partnership with Breakthrough Manchester in the summer of 2016, Ben had just finished his student teaching of ninth and tenth grade English for the Master of Education and secondary teacher certification. Jumping at the opportunity, he has worked to build out the Breakthrough Manchester College-Bound program at SNHU which now serves 112 high school students and 25 college students each year, and boasts a network of over 100 student and/or advisor alums!
KEKE CARBIN - PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Keke is in her senior year at Southern New Hampshire University, majoring in English. She is enthusiastic about continuing to support the community and make meaningful differences in students' lives. Being part of College-Bound is rewarding because it allows her to connect with others while also giving back.
MYA DOWD - PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Mya is in her fourth year at Southern New Hampshire University, majoring in Justice Studies with a concentration in Law and Legal process. She began her Breakthrough journey as a Teaching Fellow in 2024 and has been deeply involved with the program ever since. Her priority is to support the enrichment of students and staff alike. Mya is passionate about community building and educational access, so she feels right at home with Breakthrough Manchester College-Bound!
MATT LONG - LEAD ADVISOR COACH, Class of 2027
Matt is the Advisor Coach for the Class of 2027, and is so excited to return to the College-Bound program to support advisors and students. Matt first began his journey at Breakthrough in the middle school program as a Teaching Fellow in 2017, and has been involved ever since, but most recently as the Dean of Faculty. His full-time job is as the ELO Coordinator at Winnacunnet High School. Matt is a graduate of Duke University (BA in Biology & Education) and Southern New Hampshire University (M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction), and he currently resides in Portsmouth.
GRACE FLINT - ADVISOR COACH, Class of 2028
Grace Flint became a social studies teacher at Pinkerton Academy after graduating from Plymouth State University with a Bachelor's in Social Studies Education in 2016. In the summer of 2022, she became an Instructional Coach in the Literature Department at Breakthrough Manchester. Grace is excited to continue supporting the Class of 2028 at College Bound!
ALYCIA ASHBY - ADVISOR COACH, Class of 2029
Alycia has been with Breakthrough Manchester since she was a student in the program. BTM changed her life! She is now a science teacher at John Stark Regional High School in Weare, NH! She loves the outdoors, travelling, and spending time with her community!
CAROLINE WILSON - ADVISOR COACH, Class of 2030
Caroline is excited to join BTM-CB as the Advisor Coach for the Class of 2030. She began her Breakthrough journey in 2019 as a Teaching Fellow and has worn many BT hats, including Operations Coordinator and Middle School Program Director. Caroline works full-time in Career and Professional Success at the University of New Hampshire, where she plans large-scale career fairs and events. She graduated from UNH with a bachelor's degree in Recreation Management: Program and Event Management and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Community Development and Policy, also at UNH. In her free time, Caroline enjoys crafting, baking, and spending time outdoors.