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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Chaquinta Hill

Board Member At-Large

Chaquinta Fisher is the IT Support Manager and Website Accessibility Coordinator for McLennan County, where she has served for 26 years. She leads a skilled team providing technology support to county employees and ensures the county's website and mobile app remain accessible. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, she educates staff and external agencies on website accessibility and actively promotes Women in STEM. As a guest writer for ELGL, she shares insights on local government innovation and speaks nationwide on website accessibility. She also volunteers through the City of Waco’s Adopt-a-Park program, assists Rapoport Academy with various initiatives, and serves on its School Board. Additionally, she mentors students through the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce LEAD program and speaks for Civic Plus Technology Solutions on her experiences as a minority woman in tech. Civic Plus also selected her as a judge for their Civic Experience Award Program.

Chaquinta has received the ELGL Top 100 Local Government Influencers award twice and has served on Texas A&M Texarkana’s Digital Marketing Advisory Board and Mentor Pro program. She contributes to WomeNTech and has been nominated for multiple Women in Tech awards. Featured on the Modern CTO podcast, she discussed her efforts to enhance government technology and the future of tech-driven careers. Her work includes developing communication tools for law enforcement to combat human trafficking and improve public safety. She was awarded the Texas Association of Government Information Technology Managers' Beth Ann Unger 2025 Women in Technology Award.

Chaquinta is a self-published author of encouragement books and recently launched a subscription-based platform providing daily faith-filled encouragement newsletters.

She and her husband, William, Interim Athletic Director for Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School, share a love for mentoring and community service. Together, they have seven children, four grandchildren, and a strong faith in Jesus Christ. In her free time, Chaquinta enjoys traveling, singing, cooking, and spending time with family.

Chaquinta has been a part of the Rapoport family for almost ten years. She has two sons who are recent Rapoport graduates, and her daughter is in elementary. She has enjoyed being part of a close and supportive community involved with the education of her children.

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Alex Howard

Faculty Representative

Alex Howard is a 4th-grade ELAR teacher at the MacArthur campus and our 2025 District Teacher of the Year. She and her husband, Shane, have three boys—Oliver, Ben, and Jude—who all attend Rapoport. Their family also includes two dogs, five chickens, and one outdoor cat.

As the faculty representative on the board, it is her responsibility to serve as a voice for her colleagues. She looks forward to helping continue the positive changes that have been made and fostering continued growth for the Rapoport Academy community.

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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Yenerey Olivera

Parent Representative

My name is Yenerey Olivera, and I am honored to serve as a parent representative on the Rapoport School Board. Originally from Uruguay, I immigrated to the United States in 2002 with my wonderful husband. We have proudly raised two children in the Rapoport community — one who graduated last year and another currently in middle school. 

For the past seven years, I’ve been an actively involved parent at Rapoport. I’m passionate about supporting our school and helping ensure that every parent’s voice is heard. My goal as a board member is to represent families with care and integrity, always keeping the best interests of students and parents in mind as we work to make our great school even better. 

Before coming to the U.S., I studied Business Administration in Uruguay. In 2009, I graduated from McLennan Community College as a Surgical Technologist. I currently manage two small businesses with my husband — Centex Tire Shop, our tire and automotive business, and my home-based embroidery company, Pinpoint Designs. I’m also continuing my education, currently pursuing a degree in Accounting at MCC. 

Despite a busy schedule, I proudly wear the title of "soccer mom" — cheering on from the sidelines, coordinating snacks, and helping with team events. I'm excited to bring that same energy and dedication to the board and our school community. 

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