ENews February 6, 2026

Welcome to Our New OLLI Staff Members!


By Lisa Mariam, Executive Director

We are delighted to welcome three new colleagues to the OLLI Mason staff. Each brings valuable experience, fresh perspectives, and a shared commitment to supporting lifelong learning and member engagement.

Please join us in extending a warm OLLI welcome when you see them at Tallwood, at Reston, and online. We are excited to have them as part of the OLLI team and look forward to the energy and ideas they will bring in the months ahead.

Kieran (Kip) Schomber is our newest site assistant to support classroom technology and smooth instructional delivery for in-person, hybrid, and online programs. Kip’s first day was February 2.  He worked previously as an elementary-level classroom teacher in Fairfax County. Kip is an active member at Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke, assisting with audio mixing for the Sunday livestream and The Good Shepherd Players' upcoming production of Something Rotten. Kip holds a BA in communication from Hope College.

Rachel Dixon brings her passion for healthy aging, learner centered operations, and community building to support members and programs to the role of Operations Manager. She’s starting remotely on February 17 and her first day in the office will be on March 2. A lifelong learner, her international study and travel experiences continue to shape her belief in curiosity, cultural exchange, and learning across the lifespan. An active member of her community, Rachel volunteers with organizations including Meals on Wheels, the Little Theatre of Alexandria, and her local school district. She serves on the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities and champions inclusion and accessibility in all spaces.

Rachel holds degrees from Rutgers University and Temple University, along with several professional certificates. She is an alumna of Leadership Alexandria and a proud recipient of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 40/40 Award. Her dedication to lifelong well-being and inclusive engagement guides her connections with learners of all ages. She is a certified 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) yoga instructor and is currently pursuing graduate studies in educational leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys traveling—especially cruising—discovering new cultures, and attending live theatre.

Sri Shriya Challapuram will also be joining the team as a site assistant. She is a recent Master’s graduate in computer science from George Mason University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering. She has worked in software engineering, research, and applied AI. Shriya enjoys working in collaborative learning environments and has a strong interest in using technology to make learning more accessible. Outside of work, she enjoys attending idea-driven talks and events, going on hikes and urban walks, and engaging in conversations around technology, creativity, and learning.

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flame of red leaves
against cobalt sky
burns through winter
 
      –Ed Sadtler

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