Board of Directors

Emilie Cunningham, PhD, MPH

President / Healthcare Rep

Emilie Cunningham is currently an Associate Clinical Professor of Medical Humanities at Baylor University. Prior to joining Baylor, Cunningham served as the Director of Programs for Women and Children at Waco Family Medicine. Each of her three sons (one in high school, two graduates) have been Rapoport Ravens since pre-kindergarten. Dr. Cunningham also remains involved in Rapoport’s Student Health Advisory Committee.

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Rochonda Farmer Neal

Vice President / Higher Education Rep

Rochonda Farmer Neal joined the board in 2022. She is the current vice president and represents the higher education community. Rochonda is the Governmental Relations Director at Baylor University. She is a coauthor, an active member of Jack and Jill of American Inc. and serves on the Greater Waco Chamber Education Policy Committee. She and her husband have one son.

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Grady Crowson

Treasurer / Business Rep

Grady is a native Texan, growing up here in Central Texas. Grady and his wife, Carroll, are proud parents to one son, Jack. Grady is Vice President of Administration for PB&H Benefits, a retirement benefits subsidiary of Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP. Grady currently serves as Treasurer of Rapoport Academy Public School and DaySpring Baptist Church. Grady enjoys traveling with his family, church, being outdoors, volunteering, and advocating for others.

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Rachel E. Pate

Secretary / Government and Policy Rep

Rachel E. Pate is Vice President of Economic Development at the Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce in Waco, Texas. Rachel is a Waco native and graduate of University High School. Since 2016, Rachel has served in various roles at the Chamber and championed the causes of small businesses, women, and historically underserved communities. She is a LeadershipPlenty Institute alumni (Round 6), Leadership Waco alumni (Class 39), Rapoport Academy Public School Board Member, Waco Police Academy Advisory Board Member, and the Lemonade Day-Waco City Director. Rachel is also a proud mom, lifelong member of Toliver Chapel Church, lover of classic R&B and Motown music, fan of the great outdoors, and a dedicated wearer of Converse’s Chuck Taylor shoes. Her favorite scripture is Romans 8:31- “…if God be for us, then who can stand against us?”

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Amanda Milam

Legal Sector Representative

Ms. Milam is the Legal Sector representative for our board. She serves as the Associate General Counsel at Texas State Technical College and has a background working in Child Welfare law. She has also served as an Assistant District Attorney for McLennan County and graduated from Baylor University School of Law.

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Neil Shanks, Ph.D

K-12 Sector Representative

Neil Shanks, Ph.D. is a Clinical Associate Professor of Middle and Secondary Education at Baylor University. Prior to his current position, Dr. Shanks completed his doctorate at the University of Texas at Austin. He has taught a wide array of Social Studies education courses as well as courses relating to sociocultural foundations of schooling, multicultural education, qualitative research, academic writing, and mentoring preservice teachers. In his experience as a K-12 educator, Dr. Shanks taught U.S. History, Government, and Economics at Waco High School before transitioning to an Instructional Specialist position at WHS. He and his wife Margo have lived in Waco for 20 years and currently live downtown with their two children in a 100+ year-old home that was previously a bed and breakfast.

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Boyd Weaver

Board Member At-Large

Boyd Weaver is a dedicated community member and a parent of seven children, with a 16-year connection to Rapoport Academy. He and his wife, Tiffany, have been married for 22 years. A veteran of the United States Army, Boyd served from 1993 to 1997.

Professionally, Boyd has been with 7-Eleven since 2013, holding several leadership positions, including Store Manager, Regional Training Store Manager, and Area Manager. In 2019, he expanded his professional footprint by founding his company, Weaver Legacy Enterprises LLC.

He is deeply committed to supporting the continued growth and success of the RAPS community.

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Rebecca Rumsey

Faculty Representative

Rebecca Rumsey is the Special Education teacher at the Flewellen campus, bringing extensive experience to the role. She has been a dedicated educator at Rapoport Academy since 2013 and has been working in education since 2002.

Rebecca and her husband, Chad, have been married for 22 years and have four children and three granddaughters. Their youngest son, AJ, is currently a junior at Rapoport Academy. Ms. Rumsey is eager to connect with and represent the faculty community during her term.

She can be contacted with any questions, concerns, or topics to be brought up at future board meetings at boardfacultyrep@rapoportacademy.com.

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Kristen Cook

Parent Representative

My name is Kristen Cook and I am happy to serve as your parent representative for the 2026-2027 school year, Our family has been a part of the Rapoport community since 2011, when my oldest son started 2nd grade at the elementary school at Flewellen. I have two kids still at Rapoport in middle school and high school. I was more active in GEO at all campuses until 2018 and, in the last few years, have done as much as I can to participate in GEO at the secondary campus.

My husband, Aaron, is a native Wacoan and works as a massage therapist. Our oldest will graduate soon from Texas A&M. We have a dog, a cat, and two parakeets in our busy home. Our family is active at Antioch Community Church, including a life group and volunteering. Despite not being a native Wacoan, I enjoy learning about Waco and McLennan Community College History. In my free time, I sing, read, watch movies, and spend time with family.

I am a librarian at McLennan Community College, where I have been employed for 24 years. Not only do I have experience as a parent in all levels of education at Rapoport, but I also have experience with what constitutes college readiness and the various degree programs that are offered at a community college level. I have also mentored students in the past through the Waco Chamber’s LEAD program and an adult learner mentoring program at MCC.

I look forward to serving on the board by advocating for students and parents and contributing to the continued success and improvement of the district. I feel very strongly that this is an educational community that cares deeply about the right things - supporting educators, pursuing quality education, stewarding resources well, impacting the community, and contributing to the success of students and families.

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