Markus J. Watts | Director

Upward Bound Program

Markus J. Watts, is a committed activist in the field of education, community development and youth advocacy. Watts currently serves as the Director of the Upward Bound Program at Opportunities Industrialization Center of Racine County, Inc.  The Upward Bound Program is a nationally recognized TRIO program designed to serve first-generation, low-income 9^th-12^th grade high school students, preparing them for post-secondary education.

Watts holds a Master’s of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wilberforce University, and completed studies at the Rothberg School for Overseas Students at Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.

Maushae Byles | Program Coordinator

Upward Bound Program

Maushae Byles, attended college at IUPUI (Indiana University, Purdue University at Indianapolis), in which he received a Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University. He is currently seeking a Master’s Degree in School Counseling at The University of Wisconsin Whitewater. His goal as an educator is to provide the youth with the tools and knowledge needed to become successful at any career they choose.  

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Harriet Tubman

Jasmine Reed | Program Coordinator

Upward Bound Program

Jasmine Reed, is a Racine native who grew up in the area known as “midtown” Racine.  She graduated from Park High School in 2004 and went on to continue her education at the University of Wisconsin Parkside.  From there she graduated with a Master’s in Business Administration.  Jasmine joined the OIC family in January of 2010.  Her goal in this program is to enhance the quality of life for all parties involved.  She believes that with the proper amount of planning, support, education and faith we can achieve any and everything we set out too.  Given that, she sees her role in this new relationship as a facilitator of these things.  Her door is always open and she looks forward to meeting new people along the way of her journey ahead. 

Cynthia Goss | Program Manager

YouthBuild Racine GreenTech Project

Cynthia Goss, has been employed by OIC of Racine County, Inc.  for the past nineteen years. She has spent most of those years working as Coordinator of the Job Retention Program; and most notably as Coordinator for the Racine Learnfare Program. In the late nineties, OIC received recommendation from the State of Wisconsin for outstanding program implementation for their success rate with Learnfare. Currently, Goss is employed by OIC as the Program Manager of the Racine YouthBuild GreenTech Project.  YouthBuild is a green construction training program that offers high school dropouts 18-24 an opportunity to earn a GED while also receiving construction training.  Towards the end of enrollment in YouthBuild, participants are also assisted with post secondary education and job placement.

Education:  Attended University of Wisconsin Racine, majored in English, Education. Graduated from Racine Vocational Institute, with a Business Administration/Accounting Major. Attended Gateway Technical College, completed Written and Oral Communications. Completed the NAWD Certified Case Management Training (CCM).

Karrie Vobeda | Case Manager

YouthBuild Racine GreenTech Project 

Karrie Vobeda, Graduated from Springfield College in 2009 with a BS degree in Human Services and a minor in Criminal Justice.  Karrie became employed at OIC in December of 2009. 

David Coles | Construction Director 

YouthBuild Racine GreenTech Project

DAVID COLES, joined the OIC staff in 2004. He has been the Construction Director for the YouthBuild Racine GreenTech Project his job responsibilities are as follows:

Design house plans

Obtain survey

Acquire Safety procedures for the use and handling of equipment and tools

Acquire building permits

Material purchasing

Hire all subcontractors.

Teach YouthBuild program participants the skills necessary to construct a green house.

Supervise On-the-job-training for YouthBuild program participants.

Credentials, Ongoing Education and Experience

1984 - 2004 – Owner/Operator DBA as Vision General Contractors, LLC (An energy efficient Custom Home Builder.)

National Center for Construction, Education and Research (NCCER)

2010 – Carpenter Instructor Certification

2010 – Core Curricula Instructor Certification

2008 – Enercept University Factory Trained – Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) Certification

1999 – University of Wisconsin, Erosion Control during Construction Certification

Barry Uhlenhake | Job Developer 

YouthBuild Racine GreenTech Project

B.S. in Secondary Education – University of Dayton

M.A. in Political Science – University of Pittsburgh

Experienced in teaching, training, non-profit capacity-building, and job development

Ana J. Guerrero |  

Administrative Assistant / MIS Manager

Upward Bound and YouthBuild Racine GreenTech Project

Ana J. Guerrero, joined OIC of Racine County, Inc. in January 2007 as Administrative Assistant for the agency. Her responsibilities are to maintain a pleasant and efficient office environment and support the agency’s current two programs which are the Upward Bound Program, and the YouthBuild GreenTech Project.