The CUNY ASAP|ACE National Replication Collaborative engages a knowledge network of higher education practitioners dedicated to accelerating structural change and improving outcomes for institutions and students. The success of ASAP|ACE has led to its replication in institutions across the country, contributing to the continuing expansion of the network.

The Replication Effect

2x

Associate degree
completion rate

11%

Increase in earnings
after graduation

20%

Point increase in 2nd semester
full-time enrollment

Impact in Action

California’s San Mateo Community College District Promise Scholars Program (PSP) shows that the CUNY ASAP model works for students even 3000 miles away from New York City.

The Ohio SAIL program was the first ASAP replication site ever launched. Five years later, they’ve doubled graduation rates and increased earnings for students.

In 2022, North Carolina launched the first ever replication of CUNY’s ACE program, UNC TrACE, which focused on students transferring from community colleges to achieve a bachelor’s degree.

Meet the Team

Constance Barnes-Watson

Constance Barnes

Director

Read Biography

Constance Barnes joined the CUNY ASAP|ACE Replication team in February 2023 as the Director for the ASAP|ACE National Replication Collaborative. Constance previously held leadership roles for the CUNY 2xTech/Tech Talent Pipeline at both Medgar Evers College and Lehman College, where she also supported the Blackstone Launchpad Program in the new School of Business. Constance has over 15 years of combined experience in education and non-profits, inclusive of the NYCDOE and a host of public and private institutions along the eastern seaboard. Constance holds a BA in Business from Lehman College, an MS in Education from Mercy College, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Administration & Policy, with a focus on Urban Education, at the University of Pittsburgh.

Clara Chen

Clara Chen

Associate Director, Replication
Partner Engagement Read Biography

Clara Chen is the Associate Director for Replication Partner Engagement at CUNY ASAP|ACE and is the primary point of contact for ASAP|ACE’s replication partner colleges. She provides direct technical assistance on the ASAP model, its policies and best practices, and provides support in the development and launch of ASAP|ACE replicated programs across the nation. She has over 11 years of public higher education experience ranging from student success programs, retention, access, and enrollment.

Katie Giardello - ASAP Senior Policy Advisor

Katie Giardello

Senior Policy Advisor Read Biography

Katie Giardello currently serves as Senior Policy Advisor to the ASAP|ACE National Replication Collaborative at CUNY where she provides analysis and advocacy on ASAP|ACE replication in the state and federal policy landscape. Prior to assuming this role, Katie served as Director for CUNY ASAP|ACE National Replication Strategy and, before that, she worked with the Michigan Community College Association’s Center for Student Success, Eastern Michigan University, the Ohio Department of Higher Education, and The Ohio State University.

Saman Naquvi - ASAP Operations Manager

Saman Naquvi

Operations Manager

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As the CUNY ASAP|ACE National Replication Operations Manager, Saman Naquvi manages fiscal, operational, and administrative activities for ASAP|ACE replication. In addition to this, Saman is also the lead for communications and marketing operations for the CUNY ASAP|ACE Replication Collaborative. Saman began her CUNY career at LaGuardia Community College in 2016, working in Institutional Advancement, before shifting to the CUNY School of Law as the Director of Development for the Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR) Project in 2019. Saman joined the ASAP|ACE replication team in the summer of 2022.

Diana Strumbos

Diana Strumbos

Research and Evaluation
Specialist

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Diana Strumbos is a Research and Evaluation Specialist for the CUNY ASAP|ACE replication team where she provides support to promote and enable continuous learning from replication projects. She is responsible for leading the fidelity-to-model assessment process and gathering data on implementation and adaptation of replication programs, as well as connecting with researchers studying replication to foster knowledge sharing. She also provides consultation to replication partner institutions on developing data management plans and on their approach to understanding the effectiveness of their programs. Prior to this role, she was the Senior Director of Research and Evaluation for Student Success Initiatives in the CUNY Office of Academic Affairs where she led the research and evaluation team at CUNY ASAP|ACE and worked to advance an evidence-based and equity-focused approach across the broader student success unit. Diana has over 15 years of experience, including conducting quasi-experimental and experimental studies, serving in leadership positions in the postsecondary and nonprofit sectors, and teaching undergraduate courses in statistics and research methods.

Ashley Walker - ASAP Assistant Director for Technical Assistance

Ashley Walker

Assistant Director for
Technical Assistance

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Ashley Walker is the Assistant Director for Technical Assistance for the CUNY ASAP | ACE National Replication team, where she provides support to partner institutions across the nation to replicate the ASAP | ACE model with a high level of fidelity. She also contributes to the reorganization of the operational infrastructure for nationally scaled ASAP | ACE replication efforts and an expanded vision for the growing national replication collaborative. Prior to this role, she was the Career Specialist for CUNY Lehman College’s ACE program where she oversaw the career readiness and professional development for incoming first-time full-time freshmen and transfer students. Including 3 years at the Central Office of Student Affairs as the Career Services and Professional Development Assistant, Ashley has over 6 years of experience working and studying within the CUNY system.

Cierra Warner

Cierra Warner

Replication Specialist

Read Biography

As Replication Specialist for the CUNY ASAP|ACE National Replication Collaborative, Cierra Warner reviews and analyzes data from replication partners, supporting the Associate Director for Replication Partner Engagement and the Assistant Director of Technical Assistance (TA) in the preparation and delivery of TA, ultimately shaping educational experiences for the future. In her previous position as an Instructional Designer at the City University of New York (CUNY), she played a pivotal role in championing accessibility and collecting and evaluating data for online courses, ensuring inclusivity. With a Master’s degree from Pace University and a background in Corporate Communications, Cierra continues to make substantial contributions to higher education.

CUNY ASAP | ACE staff dedicated to supporting national replication efforts are generously funded by the Morgan Stanley Foundation. We are also pleased to acknowledge Arnold Ventures’ long-time support of ASAP | ACE national replication efforts.

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