About
An Intermediary for Student Success
We believe every student deserves the chance to thrive — in school and beyond.
Our Mission
To bridge the gap between communities and schools, invest in data-driven strategies, and evaluate program effectiveness to eliminate barriers and advance student success.
Our Vision
A Greenville County where every student achieves their full potential.
Our Approach: The Intermediary Model
Our work focuses on building and strengthening the system that supports students. We use a collective impact framework, convening partners, aligning strategies, and ensuring everyone around the table is working toward shared outcomes for students and families.
By working at the systems level, we strengthen schools’ capacity, support partners, and build trust across the community — ensuring every student has access to the relationships, resources, and opportunities they need.
What Sets Us Apart
Equity Focused
We prioritize communities and students who face the highest barriers.
Data-Informed
We make decisions based on real-time data and rigorous evaluation.
Collaborative
We bring schools, families, and partners into alignment to form a cohesive safety net.
Our Team
We’re a diverse group of professionals who live our values while working toward one common goal: improving lives, strengthening the community, and advancing equity for all.
Kelbie Winther
Kia Keyton
Christian Newman
Our Team
We’re a diverse group of professionals who live our values while working toward one common goal: improving lives, strengthening the community, and advancing equity for all.
Meghan Barp
United Way of Greenville County
Dr. Burke Royster
Greenville County Schools
Tamela Spann
Hollingsworth Funds
Dr. Kirsten Naomi Chapman
United Way of Greenville County
Dr. Kerry Sease
Institute for the Advancement of Community Health, Furman University
Leda Young
Pleasant Valley Connection
Julio Hernandez
Clemson University
Dr. Charlotte McDavid
Greenville County Schools
Dr. Larry Miller
Greenville Technical College
Gage Weekes
Hollingsworth Funds
Where we come from— and where we’re going.
2013
United Way of Greenville County received a grant from United Way Worldwide to convene a Middle Grades Challenge Team. Given the importance of education in economic mobility, and our knowledge that the middle grades are the “make it or break it” years for high school graduation and post-high school success, this work resulted in the following commitments:
- Greenville County Schools committed to research and implement an evidence-based Early Warning Response System
- United Way of Greenville County committed to research and implement a place-based initiative in high-poverty middle schools in the White Horse Road community utilizing a collective impact approach
2014
United Way of Greenville County applied for and received a Social Innovation Fund (SIF) grant from the Federal Corporation for National and Community Service. Now officially named the “Middle Grades Success Initiative,” partners included Greenville County Schools and the Riley Institute at Furman University. Additional funding partners included the Community Foundation of Greenville County and Hollingsworth Funds.
2015
Through funding provided by the Social Innovation Fund (SIF) grant, sub-grants were awarded local organizations to provide the intervention strategies for at-risk students identified through the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS). These initial implementation partners included:
In 2015, the overall initiative officially became known as “OnTrack Greenville.” Leadership from each implementation partner began meeting regularly to plan and collaborate.
2016
2020
The Riley Institute at Furman University, OnTrack Greenville’s founding evaluation partner, completed its observations and assessments to deliver a comprehensive evaluation and report. The information gathered by the Riley Institute continues to fuel OnTrack Greenville’s data-driven model.
Following the Riley Institute’s work, OnTrack Greenville engaged the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) as its next and ongoing evaluation partner. HSRI describes its work as follows:
“With expertise in quantitative and qualitative methods, we collaborate closely with clients to develop rigorous evaluation studies to meet their specific needs, resources, and timeframes. Our goal is to provide actionable insights and recommendations that can be readily implemented. We also seek to be broadly inclusive of stakeholder voices.”
2021
Now
OnTrack Greenville remains a proud part of United Way of Greenville County. With a dedicated full-time staff, OnTrack is continuously innovating, learning, and growing to better serve the needs of students, staff, and families. OnTrack Greenville aims to be a leader not only in the upstate, but across South Carolina and the country when it comes to effective student interventions and supports that lead to graduation, increased economic mobility, and long-term success for every child.
