The LEAD Scholars Program Staff

La-Toya K Wilson M.Ed
Director- LEAD Scholars Program
Parenzo Hall 155
413-572-8465
lkwilson@westfield.ma.edu

La-Toya is a proud alumna of Westfield State University and the Urban Education Program (’98), where she earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Social Science with a concentration in Social Work. Immediately after graduating she was offered a position as an Admission’s Counselor at Westfield State and worked in admissions until she needed to attend grad school full-time. She earned her Master's in Education with a concentration in School Counseling from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. During her time at UMASS-Amherst she worked as an Assistant Residential Director and continued to give back to the Urban Education Summer Bridge Program serving as an Academic Advisor/First-Year Experience teacher. La-Toya brings over twenty years of experience, nineteen of which were dedicated to the Springfield Public Schools as an Educator, Counselor, and student advocate. This is full-circle for La-Toya to have been a program participant and now the sixth Director of the LEAD Scholars Program, formerly known as the Urban Education Program, to continue the rich history and legacy of the program’s motto- Each One Teach One, Each One Reach One.  

Tyrone Abrahamian
Assistant Director- LEAD Scholars Program
Parenzo Hall 155
413-572-8472
tabrahamian@westfield.ma.edu

Tyrone is a proud Westfield State University and Urban Education alumni. He graduated from Westfield State with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in political science. Shortly after graduating from Westfield, Tyrone attended graduate school at Springfield College where is earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1997. While in graduated school, Tyrone worked part-time for the Urban Education Program as an Academic Advisor where he assisted students with course selection, tutorial sessions, general counseling and career planning.

After completing graduate school, Tyrone briefly worked for the Department of Children in Families as social worker in Hartford, CT. In February of 1998, he was hired by the Connecticut Judicial Branch/Court Support Services Division as an Adult Probation Officer. Tyrone worked for the Judicial Branch/Court Support Services Division for 25 years. While he began his career as a probation officer, he was promoted several times to the highest levels of leadership within the organization including Chief Probation Officer, Regional Manager and finally as the Deputy Director of Adult Probation Operations. He retired from the Connecticut Judicial Branch in July of 2022. Tyrone has extensive experience in leadership roles, general counseling, motivational interviewing, case management, and staff development. Tyrone is excited to be returning to Westfield State University as the Assistant Director of the LEAD Scholars Program to work with students to offer them the same leadership, guidance and confidence he received as a program student.

Maryanisa (Nisa) DelRio
Academic Advisor- LEAD Scholars Program
Parenzo Hall 155
413-572-5611
mdelrio@westfield.ma.edu

Meet Maryanisa (Nisa) DelRio, one of the newest additions to our team! Nisa has spent two years working in the Office of Admission at Westfield State University.

Like many of the students she'll be supporting—she is a first-generation college graduate herself. Back in 2019, Nisa proudly earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Nisa has a deep-rooted desire to connect with and help those around her. Nisa's genuine passion for making a difference shines through in the work that she does with students.

Now, she's excited to embark on this next chapter at the LEAD Scholars Program office, where she can utilize her personal journey to guide and inspire others. With her friendly demeanor and optimistic outlook, Nisa is ready to create a welcoming space for students and provide the support they need to thrive here at Westfield State University.