Aryana Hutton
CTC Communications Intern
In February 2025, the Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) support team at Partners for Rural Impact (PRI) traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, to attend the ASQ Lean and Six Sigma Conference—an annual event that brings together leaders in process improvement and continuous learning.
Haley Thacker, Program Manager, along with her team of FSCS Coordinators—Lisa Callihan, Laura Wolfrom, Shae Moyers-Brock, and Maranda Weckman—make up the behind-the-scenes staff who ensure that PRI’s Full-Service Community School grants are implemented effectively, efficiently, and with care.
Their mission for the trip: gain strategies to streamline backend processes, improve sourcing systems, and better support the boots-on-the-ground staff who directly serve students and families.
While their work often happens out of the spotlight, the impact of this team is felt in every successful school partnership, every grant milestone met, and every form or system that makes a coordinator’s day run smoother. Attending sessions such as Free Your Problem Solving by Including Everyone to Inspire, Innovate, and Integrate and It’s the People; Not the Process gave them new tools to elevate their work—and ultimately the experiences of those they support.
The team also explored how artificial intelligence can assist with repeatable tasks, freeing up time for more strategic work.
"Seeing how other sectors—education, healthcare, manufacturing—are embracing Lean thinking was empowering. We came back with ideas we can use right away."
While the conference delivered valuable tools and insights, it also provided something equally important: the chance for long-overdue, in-person connection. As a remote-based team spread across rural Kentucky, opportunities for face-to-face collaboration are rare. Shared meals, meaningful conversations, and even a surprise birthday celebration helped strengthen the personal bonds that fuel their work—reminding them that behind every streamlined system is a team that thrives on trust, laughter, and shared purpose.
Jennie Pollard, PRI’s Director of Programs, was intentional in prioritizing this opportunity for the support team, and it’s something she takes personally.
“Support staff are often the unsung heroes of grant work—and they deserve just as much investment as our frontline implementers. I started at PRI as a program assistant. I know firsthand how important it is to feel seen, supported, and included in professional development. I’m so proud of this team and what they’re bringing back to the table.”
The FSCS support team returned from Phoenix energized and ready to turn insights into action—applying what they learned about AI tools, simplified forms, and smarter systems to help reduce stress and save time. They’re already meeting with program managers to refine internal processes and explore new ways to leverage technology for greater impact.
While their work often happens behind the scenes, the ripple effects of their learning will be felt across the entire FSCS ecosystem. As PRI continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of rural communities, investments like this strengthen the foundation that makes lasting, community-level change possible.
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