Meet the staff

Paris Nelson

Campus Director TRiO Talent Search Programs
Washington State University Vancouver
paris.nelson@wsu.edu | 360-726-2358

Paris Nelson is the campus director of TRiO Talent Search programs at WSU Vancouver and three-time TRiO alumna of TRiO Talent Search, Student Support Services and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program. Nelson is a first-generation college student herself and received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from the University of Montevallo and Master of Arts in Instructional Communication from the University of Kentucky. A child of a South Korean immigrant, Nelson’s experience as a woman of color growing up in the deep south inspired and fueled her passion for equity in education for underserved student populations such as first-generation, low-income and students of color.

Nelson’s professional career has been dedicated to the service of students. During her undergraduate studies, she designed and was awarded grant funding for “STEM 4 Future,” a free educational project funded by Boeing Italia in collaboration with the Luigi Bocconi University of Milan and the Polytechnic of Bari. The program is now in its fifth year of funding and serves 3,800 Italian students. In her previous role with Eastern Kentucky University TRiO Student Support Services, she worked to support first-generation students from the Appalachian region of Kentucky. In this role, she also helped plan and execute the Eastern Kentucky University Gen1 2.0: We Can Build it Better Conference focusing on topics related to first-generation college student access, support and success. With ample TRiO and college access experience, Nelson is excited to be a part of the WSU family and serve the Vancouver Public School system.

In her free time, you may find Nelson at a local dog park with her loyal canine, Sage, enjoying the beautiful outdoors of the Pacific Northwest, or cooking up Korean/soul food at home.

Alicia Dearixon

College Access Coach
Fort Vancouver High School
alicia.dearixon@wsu.edu | 360-326-2960

Alicia Dearixon (she/her) joined the WSU Vancouver Talent Search team as a college access coach for Fort Vancouver High School. Dearixon graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology/Anthropology from the University of Redlands in 2018, and with a Master of Public Administration from Portland State University in 2020. At both institutions, Dearixon worked with diverse groups of low-income, first-generation students to empower them toward their post-secondary goals. In her most recent role at Airway Science for Kids in Portland, she piloted a college and career exploration program for teens and young adults, encouraging them to identify their passions and goals in the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and math) field.

Dearixon is an Oregon native, but is now proud to call Vancouver, Wash. her home. She is thrilled to work at Fort Vancouver High School, acting as a positive and holistic support system for students as they make their way through high school and beyond. She will talk your ear off about college, scholarships, the Pacific Northwest and her dog and cat, Swift and Kix!

Janice Nehren

College Access Coach
Hudson’s Bay High School
janice.nehren@wsu.edu | 360-818-4831

Janice Nehren is joining the WSU Vancouver TRiO Talent Search team as a College Access Coach, serving the scholars of Hudson’s Bay High School. She is a proud University of Washington graduate and former teacher, and is excited to begin working with first generation individuals, much like herself.

She is dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate about serving diverse student populations. She seeks to encourage students to challenge themselves academically, as well as who they are as individuals, members of a community and of greater society. She believes that part of the foundation of student growth is cultivated in respect as we work towards better understanding, communicating and growing with one another through shared learning experiences.

Janice’s whole career has been in education and has revolved around working with students to help them achieve their academic goals and to feel confident in who they are as life-long learners and scholars. She has worked in education settings that span from elementary schools through college campuses, and now working with the TRiO Talent Search Program, she is excited to have the opportunity to begin supporting students as they work through completing their high school degrees and are transitioning into their next steps and continuing their education. Janice is eager to help bridge the gap from middle school to high school and from high school to college—she is thankful for this opportunity and cannot wait to begin connecting with Hudson’s Bay scholars!