Since 2014, we have served 283 scholars. They have been awarded over $132M in scholarships.

We started with one student…

In 2014, Mark Bateman—a beloved professor at Samford University and lifelong advocate for higher education—offered to help Josephine Lowery (now Executive Director and co-founder of College Choice Foundation) and her daughter, Savannah, navigate the college admissions process. Mark, who passed away in 2023, had spent much of his career studying why students choose to attend college and how they find their best fit. He was deeply curious about the decision-making process and passionate about making higher education accessible to all.

While helping Savannah (who ultimately attended Furman University—a school she had never heard of before Mark introduced it), Mark and Josephine stood in the front yard one afternoon discussing the challenges low-income students face (Josephine grew up in poverty) when trying to find the right college. Their conversation turned to Michelle, the daughter of Josephine’s landscaper, Harold Williams (current Board Member)—a bright, high-achieving student with limited resources. Josephine told Mark, “I think I know the perfect family we could help.” That moment became the spark. That front-yard conversation turned into a mission—one Scholar at a time.

Meet the Team

Josephine Lowery

Co-Founder / Executive Director
Julie Gentry

Program Director
Glynda Boyd

Student Advocate Consultant
Kelly Lowery

Strategic Support Specialist

Josephine Lowery, Co-Founder and Executive Director

Josephine Lowery brings 12 years of experience in college admissions along with a distinguished background as a former attorney and community leader. Recognized for her impact, she was named one of 25 Women Who Shape the State in 2020 by This is Alabama, a Vulcan Game-Changer in 2022, a top-five finalist for Volunteer of the Year by the Birmingham Business Journal in 2024, and a UAB Unsung Hero in 2025. With her experience as a partner at Balch & Bingham, LLP, Lowery developed the strategic and leadership skills needed to oversee all aspects of College Choice Foundation’s (CCF) growth across all areas—expanding the number of Scholars served (from 2 to 283), increasing financial sustainability, and fostering partnerships. Her leadership has also enhanced services, ensuring students receive tailored support. Drawing from her years on the leadership teams of the Homewood High School and Middle School Parent Teacher Organizations, the Harris Early Learning Center Parent Group, and the Bell Center, she brings expertise in organizing large groups, identifying needs, and implementing practical solutions. As someone who grew up in a single-parent household with limited financial resources, Lowery has a personal understanding of the challenges CCF Scholars face. This drives her passion for its mission: empowering talented students to access higher education and break cycles of intergenerational poverty. Under her leadership, CCF continues to create life-changing opportunities for students, combining her legal expertise, community connections, and deep personal commitment to ensure every Scholar can succeed.

Julie Gentry, Program Director

Julie Gentry has over eight years of experience in college admissions, served on the CCF Board for several years, and has been a mentor since 2016. As the founder and director of Homewood’s Community Garden, Gentry works closely with middle and high school students, fostering personal growth and community engagement—skills that align directly with her current role. Her hands-on approach strengthens her ability to connect with students from diverse backgrounds, helping them navigate the college admissions process, build confidence, and develop key life skills. This experience further supports her efforts in creating personalized ACT prep plans and coordinating college visits so students feel prepared and empowered every step of the way. Gentry also ensures each student meets academic, extracurricular, and character expectations by staying in close communication with college admissions counselors to understand what top colleges seek in applicants. Additionally, Gentry advocates for students by writing personalized letters of endorsement, presenting them as strong candidates for elite institutions.

Glynda Boyd, Student Advocate Consultant

Glynda Boyd has 3 years experience in college admissions. Retired from AT&T of 20 years, as Senior Service Representative, in Birmingham, Alabama, Boyd plays a key role in recruiting, maintaining relationships with school counselors and conducting many of the interviews with potential Scholars and their families. She also helps lead the recruitment of mentors, particularly as CCF continues to work to diversify its mentor roster (currently 44% are Black, and we would like to increase this considering 85% of our students are Black). Additionally, Boyd represents CCF at college fairs, community events and other outreach efforts. Boyd is President of Jarvis Christian College Alabama Area Alumni Association, Ladies Bible Class Coordinator for Woodland Park Church of Christ, Youth Bible Bowl Instructor for Woodland Park Church of Christ, and a Member of Phi Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Kelly Lowery, Strategic Support Specialist

Kelly Lowery has six years of experience in college admissions and over 25 years in legal experience and retail sales consulting, holding leadership roles such as Staff Attorney for the United States District Court of Alabama, and account manager for Cabi Clothing. With an undergraduate degree in English, and years of research and writing as a staff attorney, as well as managing dozens of accounts with Cabi, she offers exceptional expertise in communication, writing, and project management. Lowery oversees essential operations, including bookkeeping, donor relations, and administrative functions like arranging travel, corresponding with students, as well as assisting with programming (recruitment, events). She also helps students refine their college applications by reviewing and editing essays to highlight their strengths and unique stories. Lowery is actively involved in providing personalized support to CCF college students as well.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lori Bateman: UAB School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Population Science (Assistant Professor)

Tim Bembry: Wells Fargo (Managing Director, Investments)

Sharon Broach: City of Atlanta Litigation Department (Special Counsel/Division Chief)

Sean Conboy: Mountain Brook Junior High School (Teacher, Coach) (CCF alumni)

Nancy Hale: Signature Homes (Sales Agent), Registered Nurse

Lisa Howick: Sewanee, The University of the South (Admissions/Career Services, Retired)

Anne Plosser: Campbell Mithun Advertising (Audio Visual Department, Retired)

Carl Thomas: Berea College (Associate Director of Admissions, Retired)

Denyse Thornley-Brown: UAB/Division of Nephrology (Professor Emerita)

Harold Williams: Williams Landscaping (Landscaper) (CCF parent)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS EMERITUS

Cassandra Joseph: Business Banking, Regions Bank (Assistant Vice-President, Retired)

MARK BATEMAN - DIRECTOR EMERITAS & CO-FOUNDER - DECEASED

Mark passed away in November, 2023, and will be deeply missed. As a professor for much of his life, most recently retired from Samford University, he had a passion for higher education: its opportunities and challenges, its perils and promises, its history and future. He also had a gift for seeing the promise and possibility in everyone who crossed his path, and helped countless individuals embrace their callings and pursue their dreams.