Author: Erin Goodman

Derick Buggs

Program Specialist
NC Homeless Education Program
Phone: 336-840-4116
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Derick Buggs joined SERVE as a Program Specialist for the NC Homeless Education Program in January 2024. He is delighted to be part of NCHEP and humbly offers his assistance to the Homeless Liaisons in North Carolina. He is committed to supporting their efforts and is eager to contribute to the success of NCHEP. Please don’t hesitate to contact him if you require any assistance or support!

Derick graduated from Bethel University, Mishakawa, IN, and an NAIA school. During his time there, he recieved an Associate in Arts, a Bachelor of Arts in Bible/Ministry, and a Master’s in Ministry. Before relocating to NC, he worked as an Assistant Pastor at a Baptist Church. In that role, he provided spiritual guidance for various Ministries and served as the community liaison for the church. He established the Boys to Men Mentoring Ministry, which aims to help families develop boys aged 8 – 18 into emotionally competent, responsible men who are valuable assets to their families, communities, and future generations. Derick felt a calling to work with families, which led him to return to school. He graduated from Liberty University with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy.

A fun fact about Derick is that he was born in Germany as a military baby and lived there until he turned 8. After that, his family moved to South Bend, IN, where he lived until October 2018, when he and his wife relocated to North Carolina. They’ve been happily married for 24 years and are blessed with three daughters, one son, and three grandchildren. They also have a spoiled 6-year-old labradoodle named Teddy, their beloved furry family member. He enjoys watching sports, traveling, spending time with family, and being an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

“My life motto is that nobody is perfect and will ever be perfect. It is much more important to measure ourselves by whether we are growing in the right direction, not whether we have reached perfection. People who strive for perfection tend to feel anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed when they can’t achieve it. Those who understand that life is a journey tend to be much more satisfied with their accomplishments and lives,” said Raffi Bilek. Derick would be honored to accompany you on your journey.

Maria Pitre-Martin

Executive Director
Phone: 336-314-5261
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Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin joined SERVE as Executive Director in October 2023. She has an extensive history of education leadership both within and outside North Carolina. Most recently, she served as director of board operations and policy for the NC State Board of Education and NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). Prior to that, she served as NCDPI’s deputy state superintendent and chief academic and digital officer, superintendent of Thomasville City Schools, and state director of K-12 curriculum and instruction and regional lead supervisor for NCDPI.

Outside of North Carolina, she has held positions as superintendent of Petersburg City Public Schools in Virginia, chief academic officer for the School District of Philadelphia, and assistant superintendent for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System in Louisiana. She also served as the director of research and staff development for the Fort Bend Independent School District in Sugar Land, Texas, and the principal of Oakwood Intermediate School in College Station, Texas. In 2002, she was the Texas Middle School Principal of the Year. She holds a doctorate in educational administration and a masters in organizational communication.

Lisa “LJ” Von Dohlen

Program Coordinator
NC Foster Care Program
Phone: 743-208-3686
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Lisa “LJ” Von Dohlen, MSW, LCSW, has been the Program Coordinator for the NCDPI Foster Care Education Program since July 2023 and provides training and support to school districts, educational partners, community organizations, and state agencies. Ms. Von Dohlen prepares best practice materials for foster care points of contact, monitors school districts and charter schools, and provides training at the state and national level. She began her service in public education in 1992 as a school social worker and has worked with or on behalf of students in foster care throughout her career. She has served in administrative capacities as a coordinator of social work services, McKinney-Vento liaison, and lead social worker. She is a licensed clinical social worker and is licensed by NCDPI as a school social worker, principal, and superintendent. Ms. Von Dohlen has been an adjunct instructor in higher education and served on advisory boards in public education, higher education, and non-profit organizations.

In 2006, she was named the Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers – Virginia Chapter. She was the 2013-2014 Buncombe County Schools’ Social Worker of the Year. In 2016, she was recognized as the NC School Social Worker of the Year. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish from Lenoir-Rhyne University, a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina, and a Post-master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.

In her spare time, LJ enjoys spending time with her family, kayaking, camping, and going to the beach, where you will find her looking for seashells.

Tamika Dawkins

Program Specialist for Special Populations
NC Homeless Education Program
Phone: 743-222-9024
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Tamika Dawkins joined the North Carolina Homeless Education Program (NCHEP) as a Program Specialist for Special Populations in June 2023. Tamika has a wealth of knowledge surrounding best practices and treatment modalities for children who have experienced trauma. She began her work as a Behavioral Health Counselor at a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility in Charlotte, NC. Through her work, Tamika was able to deliver an array of services to support children and their families to exercise self-determination and achieve their potential. This work sparked her passion for working more intensely with children and their families. In 2016, she became a Licensed Clinician working as a Child and Family Therapist. Tamika enjoyed providing intensive individualized support to children and families who were experiencing significant emotional or behavioral challenges.

Additionally, Tamika has worked for the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services. She valued the opportunity to preserve and strengthen families’ capacity to protect and nurture their children. Prior to working at SERVE, Tamika worked as a School Social Worker. She considers the experience gained as a School Social Worker as a catalyst for her passion for working with children and youth who are experiencing homelessness. Her passion is to bring awareness about how to best support one of our most vulnerable and underserved populations.

Tamika holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Studies from the illustrious Winston-Salem State University and a Master of Social Work degree from Winthrop University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. In her leisure time, Tamika enjoys shopping, engaging in outdoor activities, reading, and most importantly, spending time with her family.

Beth Rice

 Specialist for State Projects
Phone: 336-951-7393
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Beth joined the SERVE Center from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), where she was the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Lead on the Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems (IABS) Team within Educator and Student Advancement. She led SEL for the state, including leading the North Carolina Social and Emotional Learning Implementation Team and co-leading the North Carolina Social and Emotional Learning and Educational Equity Project.

Additional focus areas within the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework include school mental health, secondary implementation, and building capacity through engaging professional development coaching. Through the MTSS framework, Beth initiated the Secondary MTSS Community of Practice (CoP); launched the state’s rollout of Check and Connect, an evidence-based mentoring program; and co-lead the School Mental Health Initiative’s Continuum Workgroup, which focused on a continuum of care for students. She is a trainer for Check and Connect and a skilled facilitator and coach, leveraging multiple tools, including Adaptive Schools and Cognitive Coaching. Relationships matter and are at the center of all her work. By focusing on data and fiscally responsible, research-based, and well-implemented practices, systems can make important changes that result in positive outcomes for the end user. As a leader, sensemaking and practicing humility and curiosity are central.

Beth grew up in western North Carolina and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill. She began her educational career as a Special Education Teacher in western North Carolina. She taught Developmental Psychology and graduated from Appalachian State University with a Masters and Certificate of Advanced Study in School Psychology in 2004. She worked as a School Psychologist in Wake and Burke counties in North Carolina. She worked as a Lead School Psychologist in Burke County. She served as the Secretary, President Elect, President, and Past President of the North Carolina School Psychology Association (NCSPA).

In 2011, Beth joined the Cabarrus County team as a District MTSS & PBIS Coordinator. She taught at UNC Charlotte in the Department of Special Education and Child Development and in the Department of Counseling. In 2014, Beth joined the NCDPI state team as an MTSS Regional Consultant. As a regional consultant, she worked with the Southwest, Sandhills, and Northwest regions. In 2018, Beth resumed her long-time passion in social and emotional learning and school mental health; and, in 2019, Beth shifted from a regional consultant to a Practices Lead with a focus on SEL. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Leading and Learning in Organizations (LLO) at Vanderbilt University.

Danny Jordan

Program Specialist
NC Homeless Education Program
Phone: 743-241-0097
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Danny Jordan joined NCHEP in July. Danny has experience as a Crisis Intake Social Worker and a CAP/C and CAP/DA Case Manager. Danny was a Social Worker Supervisor and Clinical Lead at WestCare NC Girls Program, where he was honored as the Spectacular Magazine Man of the Year for mentorship and service to the community. Additionally, Danny implemented the Psi Phi Nu Male Mentoring Step Team, Inc., during his time as a school social worker with Vance County Schools. More recently, he served as the McKinney-Vento, Foster Care, Neglect, and Delinquent Programs Liaison for Granville County Public Schools.

Danny obtained his undergraduate degree in Social Work/Sociology from Elizabeth City State University and his Master’s Degree in Social Work from North Carolina Central University. For over 20 years, he has served as the Minister of Music at Greater Love Ministry in Henderson. He is happily married to his wife of 18-plus years. Through their union, they have two children, a daughter and a son. According to Danny, family is of the utmost importance and building stronger families yields a stronger community.

Savannah Gay

Program Specialist
Piedmont-Triad & Southwest Prosperity Zones
Phone: 743-241-0004
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Savannah Gay is a Program Specialist for North Carolina Homeless Education Program. Before joining the team at NCHEP, she served as the school social worker and McKinney-Vento Liaison at a Charter School in Charlotte, NC for four years. Savannah previously resided in South Florida where she earned her MSW at Florida Atlantic University. Before this, she was a resident of East Tennessee and attended the University of Tennessee where she received her Bachelor of Social Work.

Savannah comes from a big family that is spread throughout most of the Southern states. She now calls Charlotte, NC home along with her husband, Carlan. In her spare time, she enjoys reading novels and listening to true crime podcasts.

Nichole McGill

Program Specialist
SERVE and SERVE, Inc.
Phone: 336-315-7317
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Nichole McGill joined the SERVE Center and SERVE, Inc. as a Program Specialist in June 2022. She works with operations, technical support, and the programs for SERVE, Inc. Before starting at SERVE she worked with UNCG Online for 21 years, most recently as the Executive Assistant to the Dean. She also assisted with online course development and support, project management, and program support.

Nichole holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Marketing with a concentration in Human Resources from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Conflict Resolution from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Masters in Liberal Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Nichole enjoys spending time with her family and friends and her favorite place to visit is the beach. 

Beth Branagan

Program Specialist
NC Homeless Education Program
Phone: 743-241-0818
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Beth Branagan joined NCHEP as a Program Specialist in June 2022. She brings a wealth of experience to her current role, with over 30 years of experience working with underserved populations with much of that time serving as the School Social Worker and Homeless Liaison for Transylvania County Schools. In addition, Beth was a member of the NCHEP Leadership Team for several terms and was named the NCHEP Homeless Liaison of the Year in 2019. Beth served on the NC School Social Work Association (NCSSWA) Board as the Chairperson for the Western Region and was selected as the Western Region nominee for NC School Social Worker of the Year in 2017. Beth holds her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, where she is originally from.

When she is not working, Beth enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, swimming, and bird watching. She also enjoys tending to her flower garden and cooking. Beth has one daughter, who Beth is very proud of for graduating from UNC Asheville and who is extending her learning by pursuing a dual master’s degree at UNC Wilmington.

Suzanne Peck

Program Specialist
National Center for Homeless Education
Phone: 336-334-3912
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Suzanne M. Peck joined the SERVE Center in the spring of 2022 and is a Program Specialist with the National Center for Homeless Education. She has dedicated herself to “Saving the world, one reader at a time” after working in a juvenile corrections facility and realizing that most of this population struggled to be able to read. She has worked with at-risk populations and programs ever since at the school, district, state, and now the national level. She realizes how difficult it is to teach a child when they are hungry, tired, or experiencing trauma. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and has been an educator dedicated to serving the most vulnerable students for over 20 years.