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Board of Education

Ms. Rolandra Morris

President


Ms. Rolandra Morris brings two decades of experience in the mortgage and finance industry to her role as a Board of Education President. Over the years, she has developed and implemented training programs focused on enhancing customer service and operational efficiency. In addition to her corporate background, she has been a small business owner for the past ten years, demonstrating her leadership and entrepreneurial skills.

A dedicated and active parent, Ms. Morris was inspired to run for the board by her personal experiences within the district, particularly as the parent of a graduating senior in the Class of 2025. Motivated by a desire to improve the overall quality, support, and transparency within the school system, she felt compelled to take action and be a voice for change. Her belief in leading by example, and in showing her children that change starts with action, drives her commitment to this role.

Her focus areas as a board member include ensuring schools are fully staffed with qualified personnel, enhancing professional development, strengthening school safety plans, aligning curriculum and resources to student needs, and fostering greater parent and community engagement.

Ms. Morris is excited to serve and is deeply committed to helping the district reach its full potential. She believes in the strength of the community and is passionate about building better schools for all students.




 

Ms. Ebony "Nicki" Smith

Vice President


Ms. Ebony "Nicki" Smith is a dedicated public servant and lifelong Bellwood resident with more than 20 years of experience in grants and contracts administration, specializing in contract negotiations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Policy. A proud mother of one daughter, Ebony brings both professional expertise and a deep personal commitment to improving the educational experience for all students.

Motivated by a belief that education is the foundation of success, Ms. Smith has seen firsthand the transformative power of learning in her own life. Her decision to join the Board of Education stems from a long-standing concern that key issues—such as truancy, academic performance, parent and community engagement, school culture, and safety—have gone unaddressed for decades. She is determined to ensure that every student in the district receives access to a high-quality education.

Her goals as a board member include evaluating and improving current policies, contracts, and procedures to ensure they are effective and transparent; establishing consistent program evaluations to better allocate resources; and working collaboratively with fellow board members, school leadership, and the broader community to drive meaningful change.

An active community member, Ms. Smith is involved with the Memorial Park Spartans Board and serves as a leader with the Memorial Park PW Spartan Cheerleaders. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In her free time, she enjoys reading, poetry, live music, and traveling.




 



 

Ms. Nicole "Molly" Molinaro

Secretary


Ms. Nicole “Molly” Molinaro brings a diverse background and a passion for lifelong learning to her role as a 2025 elected Board of Education member. With nearly 20 years of experience in commercial insurance underwriting, she now wears many hats, including Writing Tutor, Garden Coordinator, student, and small business owner. As an Ecological Consultant and a first-generation college student, Molly will soon graduate with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Horticulture.

Her motivation for joining the Board is both personal and deeply rooted in her own educational journey. Inspired by her young son and shaped by her experiences as a student who once felt limited by post-high school options, Molly is committed to ensuring all students have access to pathways that reflect their individual strengths and aspirations.

Molly’s areas of focus include expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities, aligning district policies, enhancing mentorship and professional development, fostering community civic engagement, and strengthening ecological partnerships and curriculum.

An active community member, Molly is engaged in a variety of nonpartisan civic groups, ecological initiatives, and volunteer efforts with seniors, food pantries, and local organizations. She is also Church Clerk at Westchester Community Church and enjoys reading, biking, puzzles, and attending public meetings across local government and school entities.




 

 

Ms. Jenny Barbahen

Board Member


Jenny Barbahen was elected to the Proviso Township High Schools District 209 Board of Education in May 2023 and served as Board Secretary for two years. She brings a renewed sense of urgency and collaboration to the work of serving students, families, teachers, staff, and the community.

Together with her fellow board members, she represents a renewed commitment to accountability and the success of every student in the district. Her leadership is guided by a clear focus on stability, excellence, and growth. She believes in working collaboratively, making data-informed decisions, and building strong relationships to restore trust and drive positive change in the district.
 
With a strong emphasis on transparency and board-led goals, President Barbahen champions respectful, reasonable, and rational governance. She believes our students, staff, families, and taxpayers deserve nothing less than a board fully committed to excellence and will lead that charge with Superintendent Mohip and the full Board of Education.
 
A mother of four and Conflicts Supervisor by profession, Ms. Barbahen brings deep local roots and service-minded experience to her role. She has served Forest Park District 91 through the PTO, Citizens Advisory Council, and Asset/Needs Assessment Committee. Her past leadership roles include Former Proviso D209 Board of Education President; Scoutmaster and Committee Chair for Scouts BSA Troop 107 in Forest Park; Co-Chair of the Proviso East Action Team for Partnerships (2019–2020); Co-Chair of the Proviso East Parent Advisory Council (2021–2022); and membership on the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council (2020–2021).

Dr. William Fisher

Board Member


Dr. William Fisher is an education researcher and former teacher who brings a wealth of experience and insight to his role on the Board of Education. He currently serves as a Research Scientist at NORC at the University of Chicago, where he focuses on issues related to education policy, access, and equity. With nearly four years at NORC and a strong background in both classroom teaching and academic research, Dr. Fisher is well-equipped to contribute meaningfully to the success of the district.

Elected to the Board of Education in 2025, Dr. Fisher was motivated by a deep commitment to improving the local school system for all students. He aims to leverage his skills and experience to expand funding opportunities through grants and to enhance non-university career pathways, ensuring students are prepared for the future of work.

Outside of his professional and board responsibilities, Dr. Fisher enjoys spending time with his daughters, particularly while watching European soccer and supporting his favorite team, AC Milan. He also enjoys traveling and waterfowl hunting.



Ms. Sandra Hixson

Board Member


Ms. Hixson joined the D209 Board of Education in May 2023 and served as Vice President for the 2024-2025 school year. Throughout her tenure, she has remained committed to supporting policies that provide clear direction and set strategic priorities to help the district achieve its long-term goals.

Ms. Hixson holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Psychology and master’s degrees in both School Counseling and Psychology. She is a proud wife, mother of two, and grandmother of one.

An active member of the community, Ms. Hixson is affiliated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the National Council of Negro Women, and ICA. Her public service includes previous roles on the Bellwood School District 88 Board, Bellwood United Way, Bellwood Community Fair, and the Torch Bearers Foundation. She brings both passion and experience to her work, continuously advocating for equity, access, and opportunity for all students.



Mr. David Ocampo

Board Member


Mr. Ocampo was welcomed to the D209 Board of Education in May of 2023. One of his top priorities is to maintain fiscal transparency and discipline. He also hopes to re-engage and build stronger relationships with the district’s foundation schools. Mr. Ocampo is a former Cub Scout Den Leader for the Westchester Cub Scouts Pack 73. He is a husband and father to three children. In his free time, he enjoys martial arts at Tutaj Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu located in Forest Park.  

 

Student Board Members

Michelle "Michi" Barragan

Proviso East High School

 

Michelle “Michi” Barragan is a junior at Proviso East High School and is actively involved in her school community through the Yearbook Club, where she helps capture and document important memories and moments from the school year. 

Michi enjoys a wide variety of subjects in school, with particular interests in science, history, world civilization, reading, and literature. She enjoys learning about the world, exploring different perspectives, and developing her critical thinking skills through reading and writing. 

After graduating high school, Michi hopes to attend college and major in elementary education. Her goal is to become an elementary school teacher so she can help young students build strong educational foundations and inspire a love of learning. 

In her free time, Michi enjoys cooking, shopping, reading, and writing. She describes herself as being “basically a Barbie,” because she enjoys learning how to do many different things and prides herself on being able to find creative solutions to problems. 

 

Jalyssa Nicole Pierson

Proviso West High School

 

Jalyssa Nicole Pierson is a senior at Proviso West High School and is a highly engaged and accomplished student leader, serving as Vice President of Student Council while also participating in Varsity Basketball, Varsity Track, and Flag Football. In addition to her athletic and leadership roles, Jalyssa is a member of both the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society, as well as the Class of 2026 Club. She is also a distinguished Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholar, reflecting her strong academic dedication and future potential.

Jalyssa’s favorite subjects are history and english, which have helped shape her passion for advocacy, critical thinking, and understanding the world through multiple perspectives.

After high school, Jalyssa plans to attend Tulane University to study pre-law, with the goal of continuing on to law school and becoming a prosecutor. She is driven by a desire to pursue justice and make a meaningful impact through the legal system.

Outside of school, Jalyssa enjoys watching movies, shopping, going out to eat, and spending quality time with friends and family. She also has several impressive personal accomplishments, including teaching herself gymnastics skills, graduating as the salutatorian of her 8th grade class, and maintaining high honor roll status throughout her academic career.

 

Roman Billups

Proviso Mathematics and Science Academy

 

Roman Billups is a junior at Proviso Mathematics and Science Academy and proudly serves as a Student Member of the Board of Education. He is actively involved in several student organizations, including serving as Vice President of the PMSA Student Council. Roman is also a member of the Proviso Democrats and the Black Student Union, where he enjoys engaging with peers, discussing important issues, and contributing to a positive school culture.

Roman’s favorite subject is biology, inspired by the engaging and interactive teaching style of his teacher, Ms. Huels. Through his studies, he has developed a strong interest in science and the ways it can be used to improve people’s lives.

After graduating high school, Roman plans to attend the University of Illinois Chicago to pursue a career in medicine while also studying political science. He hopes to combine his interests in healthcare and public service to make a meaningful impact in his community.

Outside of school, Roman works during the summer at Fenwick High School as a Swim Instructor Captain. He also enjoys participating in community events across the Chicago area, where he has had the opportunity to work alongside leaders such as Chris Welch, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, and Andre Harvey, Mayor of Bellwood, Illinois. These experiences have strengthened his passion for leadership and community engagement.