GeoFORCE Staff
Dr. Jessica Bent – Program Director
Dr. Bent is an educator and researcher who believes every student, from every background, deserves an accessible, high-quality pathway to achieve success. She brings over a decade of experience building such access for middle-school, high-school, and post-secondary students.
Dr. Bent has deep professional roots in the Austin area. Dr. Bent served as Director of Research for the Charles Butt Foundation, leading a team of researchers in public opinion research on Texans’ and teachers’ perceptions and needs of the public education system and distributing their findings and recommendations to state legislative representatives. As Program Administrator of the Travis County Work-Based Learning/Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), Dr. Bent helped to build positive and productive partnerships between businesses and the community, establishing and maintaining over 150 job sites for 750 student interns each summer. Within SYEP, she especially sought to recruit business partners in STEM career fields to provide interns to exposure and access to higher-paying careers. While working as the Associate Director of College Success Programs at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Dr. Bent started the school’s first college persistence program to continue strong relationships with alumni and aid them in their college success.
Dr. Bent holds a Ph.D. in Education (School Improvement) and a M.Ed. (Higher Education Student Affairs) from Texas State University and a BA in Communications from Southwestern University. In addition to recent polling instruments and reports, she has published research in peer-reviewed journals.
Jasmine Gulick – Operations Manager
Jasmine Gulick earned a BS in Psychology, a minor in Anthropology (specializing in Native Studies), and multidisciplinary honors in Writing from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She received an MFA in Writing from the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast Program. She’s worked in education and outreach for over a decade now and loves connecting with and mentoring students. Outside of work, Jasmine is an author, a gamer, and a member of the Stars of Austin Figure Skating Club.
“GeoFORCE is something truly special. As I head into my seventh summer with the program, I look forward to the countless more memories and connections I’ll form with my fellow staff and especially with the students.”
Mitchel Lambert – Senior Program Coordinator
mitchel.lambert@jsg.utexas.edu
Mitchel graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) *Geaux Tigers*, with a Sport Administration degree. He has ten years of youth development experience as a soccer coach, gymnastics coach, summer camp counselor, youth leader, and most recently as the Young Adult Development Director with Project Transformation Rio Texas. His hands-on experience with children and college-age young adults will be a strength as he joins the GeoFORCE team. When he is not working, Mitchel spends his time immersed in the soccer world, playing video games, and spending time with his incredible wife Theresa.
“I am excited to join the GeoFORCE team, and to experience the full extent of the program. I am looking forward to getting to know the participants and creating an environment they will enjoy this summer.”
Jennifer Peña – Alumni Coordinator
Jennifer is from Eagle Pass, Texas and earned her BS in Geology from the University of Texas at Austin as a Terry Scholar. While at the Jackson School, she workshopped the creation of a science, society, and ethics website for college students to discuss ethical issues within their field of study. She was selected as a student participant of the GeoFORCE Texas program in 2014. Jennifer is passionate about giving back and since finishing the program in 2017, she served as an Educational Coach In Training (ECIT), Math & Science Institute Peer Learning Assistant (PLA), and as a member of the GeoFORCE Longhorns Alumni group. Jennifer is currently working towards her Master’s Degree in STEM Education at UT.
“The impact GeoFORCE has had on my life and the lives of so many other students is immeasurable! I hope we can continue to be a small, but helpful piece in the puzzle of these students’ lives.”
Jasmine “Jas” Atobajeun – Communications Coordinator
jasmine.atobajeun@jsg.utexas.edu
Jasmine earned BS in Kinesiology and Health from The University of Texas at Austin. After college, she taught middle school English in Del Valle ISD and spent three years leading afterschool and summer camp programs for the Greater Austin YMCA. She started as a Coordinator with GeoFORCE in 2025 and has developed a passion for STEM education. Outside of work she loves to watch movies, travel around the world and plays recreational sports like basketball, volleyball, and kickball.
“After learning about the GeoFORCE program, I am not only exited to join the team, but I am also looking forward to sharing my experiences in childcare in this amazing new setting!”
“The impact GeoFORCE has had on my life and the lives of so many other students is immeasurable! I hope we can continue to be a small, but helpful piece in the puzzle of these students’ lives.”
Akeem Todd – Communications Coordinator
Akeem earned his B.S. in Forensic Science from Hilbert College in Buffalo, NY. Born and raised in The Bronx, NY, he brings nearly a decade of experience in social work and workforce development, supporting diverse populations through outreach, case management, and student-focused programming. His work has focused on helping individuals navigate resources, explore career pathways, and build confidence in their futures. Akeem is excited to bring his experience to GeoFORCE, connecting students with STEM opportunities and supporting their growth. Outside of work, Akeem enjoys traveling, exploring new foods and restaurants, enjoying a wide range of music and art, and spending time with friends and family.
“I’m excited to join the GeoFORCE team and help expand access to opportunities for students across Texas. I’m especially looking forward to building relationships with participants and supporting them as they discover new interests and pathways for their future.”
Shari Sims – Administrative Associate
Shari earned her BS in Textiles and Apparel at The University of Texas at Austin. After college, she worked for Kendra Scott for over eight years in support of their goals to give back to the community both locally and nationally. She worked in a variety of roles during her tenure at Kendra Scott including inventory control, wholesale administration, and inbound transportation. She is excited to join the GeoFORCE team and bring her experience to aid in all things administrative. In her free time, Shari enjoys playing video games, sewing, traveling and going to concerts.
Jackson School Supporting Staff
Tim Weiss, Director of Student Services – JSG Scholarship, UT admissions, Acceptance into JSG
timothy.weiss@jsg.utexas.edu
Jennifer Jordan, Career Services Director – JSG student internships, resume review, interview preparation, etc.
jjordan@jsg.utexas.edu
Kristen Tucek, Associate Director of Corporate Relations
ktucek@jsg.utexas.edu
Nikolas White, Financial Officer
nwhite@jsg.utexas.edu
