Shaun Mooney
Executive Director of the Center of First-Generation Students
Shaun Mooney has held a variety of positions focused on student access and inclusion throughout his career at JMU. Shaun has been an adjunct faculty member in the history department at JMU since 2005. He currently teaches the general education history course of American History. He also teaches the history courses of Critical Issues in Recent Global History, Diplomatic History, Special Topics, Intergenerational Dialogues, and Oral History. Shaun graduated from James Madison University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a minor in Political Science. In 2003, he completed a Master of Arts in Teaching degree through James Madison University and has additional postgraduate coursework through George Mason University. Shaun grew up in Fort Defiance, where he attended Fort Defiance High School. He now lives in Mount Sidney with his wife, Lori, and his two daughters, Krisalyn and Addyson. They own a farm in Augusta County and raise cattle.
Amanda Yankey
Assistant Director
Amanda has seven years of experience working in the public school education system. She has taught in both West Virginia and Virginia during her tenure as a mathematics educator. Additionally, she teaches eLearning courses through the West Virginia Department of Education.
Amanda’s educational career started with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with an add-on endorsement of Algebra I from Bridgewater College. While teaching in the classroom, she earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Mathematics Education as well as a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership with a Concentration in Curriculum and Instruction. Both her Master’s and Doctoral degree were earned through the University of Phoenix. She plans to continue her education with a second masters from James Madison University shortly.
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison
Deanna Fields
Program Administrator
Deanna began her journey at James Madison University in 2013 as both an undergraduate student and a participant of the Centennial Scholars Program. She explored her passion for multiculturalism by studying abroad in both Europe and the Middle East. She graduated from JMU in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Modern Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish.
Deanna returned to the Centennial Scholars Program as a Graduate Assistant Mentor from 2018 until 2020 when she obtained a Master of Public Administration. In 2022, Deanna joined CSP's professional staff as their new Program Administrator.