Established in 2017, Low Income Student Aid aka LISA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and a Qualified Charitable Organization for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit.

The mission of LISA is to enrich the educational experience of public-school students.

LISA works to bridge the gap between traditionally available forms of aid and a variety of student needs which impact educational success, holistic student health, inclusion, and self-esteem.

Our Values

Student-Centric

Students are at the core of the decisions we make and the actions we take.

Inclusion

We provide students, who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, with equal access to opportunities and resources.

Community

We collaborate and build community through partnerships founded on integrity and trust.

Transparency

We value being open and honest in our relationships and interactions.

Empathy

We strive to recognize and understand the perspectives, feelings and lived experiences of others and to give one another grace.

Student-Centered Giving

Designed for Growth

LISA is focused on supporting a continuously growing number of students. Our methods and processes are designed to efficiently expand into additional schools while seamlessly supporting the success of even more students.

Years of experience

Our Board of Directors is primarily comprised of current and past educators with over 100 years of experience. Our Operations Team has experience in multiple business sectors (including nonprofits) with experience in Education, Legal Counsel, Project Management, Accounting, Marketing and Logistics.

Impactful Relationships

LISA works closely with schools, teachers, parents and community leaders to understand the needs of students in our communities.
Our programs are designed and intended to ensure all students, regardless of their personal circumstances, have the same opportunities as their peers.

Passionate – Dedicated – Professional

Meet Our Team

Kelcy Lyons B.Ed.

President

Kelcy Lyons B.Ed.

LISA President, MUHS and OCS Aid Committee Member, and Founding Board Member

Mrs. Lyons grew up in the Verde Valley and attended Oak Creek School and Mingus Union High School. After high school, she attended Yavapai Community College and then went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Education from University of Phoenix. Mrs. Lyons has been teaching Mathematics for 12 years, the last 6 years at MUHS. She is the Student Council Advisor and Leadership teacher. Mrs. Lyons was named the 2023 Yavapai County Champion of Education from Mingus Union High School. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and they have three children. Kelcy Lyons and her husband Travis are also founders of the Yavapai County Junior Rodeo Association (YCJRA), a local nonprofit that promotes rodeo and the preservation of the western way of life by providing opportunities for rodeo youth in Yavapai County.

Lyndsay Ludden NBCT, M.A.

Vice President

Lyndsay Ludden NBCT, M.A.

LISA Vice President, OCS Aid Committee, and Founding Board Member

Mrs. Ludden has been an educator for 18 years. She started her career in the Washington Elementary School District and now teaches Agriculture at Oak Creek School in Cornville. She holds a National Boards Certification in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Education. Mrs. Ludden is the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District Agriculture Coordinator and owns a small farm in Cornville. In her spare time she enjoys growing her own food, being outside, cooking, reading, and bowling.

Chelsea Araujo, B.A.

Secretary

Chelsea Araujo, B.A.
Secretary

Mrs. Araujo was born in Flagstaff and raised in Cornville, Arizona, where she resides today. She attended Oak Creek School, Mingus Union High School, and went on to get her bachelors degree at Arizona State University. She has worked in the accounting/payables field for over 15 years. She was an escrow officer before working as secretary at Oak Creek School for the last 3 years. She has an amazing family, including her husband, two sons, and a daughter. Mrs. Araujo enjoys spending time at the lake, camping, 4-wheeling, and spending time with her extended family, friends and pets. She feels particularly close to LISA, as her roots run deep in this area. She is honored to be able to sit on the board and try to make a difference in our community.

Eric Wyles

Founder, Interim Treasurer

Eric Wyles
Mr. Wyles is a Project Manager in the construction industry as well as a volunteer for many local non-profits. In 2017, along with his dad, he founded Low Income Student Aid, Inc. (LISA) with the idea that the future success of local students is integral to the community. By creating a way to give direct aid to the children who would otherwise slip through the cracks, LISA is able to give families hope that their kids can have the same opportunities as kids in higher income families. His love and enthusiasm for this community, for its history and its future is evident when he speaks. Mr. Wyles was recognized as the Arizona Community Foundation- Sedona Volunteer of the Year in 2024 for his work with Low Income Student Aid, Inc. Mr. Wyles has lived in Cornville for 48 years. He has 3 children, one of whom is a teacher at Mingus High School. He is an avid collector of Indigenous Art and loves fishing in his spare time. He humbly believes that we can all make a difference in our communities, one act at a time.

Board Members

Board Member and Founding Board Member/Original Incorporator

Mr. Alvey is a 4th generation resident of the Verde Valley. He has been a local business owner since 1975. Mr. Alvey is also the Director of the Cornville Community Association.

Board Member and Founding Board Member/Original Incorporator

Ms. Valenzuela has lived in Cornville, Arizona since 1970. She holds bachelors and masters degrees in education from Northern Arizona University and also Education Leadership. She has worked for the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District as a first grade teacher and Assistant Principal until her retirement. Ms. Valenzuela serves on the school board and understands the role of the governing board and works hard to balance the needs of students, parents, staff, and the taxpayer.

Board Member

Mrs. Tatum was born in Phoenix, Arizona and moved to the Verde Valley when she was 8 years old. She attended West Sedona School and Sedona Red Rock High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in Education at the University of Arizona and her masters degree in Administration at Grand Canyon University.  Mrs. Tatum has been in education for 13 years and LOVES what she does. She has taught 1st and 2nd grades and took on the role of principal last year. Mrs. Tatum enjoys the relationships formed with students and families and loves that she is making an impact in our community. She has 3 beautiful daughters and loves cooking, reading, traveling, and hanging out with her family.



Board Member

Mrs. Clemson is an Arizona native with 30 years of teaching experience. She has taught in both private and public schools in 2nd through 8th grade, as an adjunct instructor for Grand Canyon University, and an 8th grade Math Teacher for Arizona Virtual Academy. She earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Elementary and Special Educations with an emphasis in learning disabilities. She also holds both a Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in teacher leadership and a Master of Science in Psychology from Grand Canyon University. Mrs. Clemson especially enjoys teaching math and science while focusing on inquiry, problem solving, and reasoning. Her strengths are creating a collaborative community of learners and using questioning and classroom discourse to develop student’s conceptual understanding and fluency. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family. She especially enjoys walks in the mountains or on the beach.

Operations Staff

Executive Director

Mr. Wyles is a Project Manager in the construction industry as well as a volunteer for many local non-profits. In 2017, along with his dad, he founded Low Income Student Aid, Inc. (LISA) with the idea that the future success of local students is integral to the community. By creating a way to give direct aid to the children who would otherwise slip through the cracks, LISA is able to give families hope that their kids can have the same opportunities as kids in higher income families. His love and enthusiasm for this community, for its history and its future is evident when he speaks. Mr. Wyles was recognized as the Arizona Community Foundation- Sedona Volunteer of the Year in 2024 for his work with Low Income Student Aid, Inc. Mr. Wyles has lived in Cornville for 48 years. He has 3 children, one of whom is a teacher at Mingus High School. He is an avid collector of Indigenous Art and loves fishing in his spare time. He humbly believes that we can all make a difference in our communities, one act at a time.

Operations Advisor

Mike has extensive senior leadership experience within several for-profit and non-profit organizations. He and his wife Donna reside in Clarkdale and have lived in the Verde Valley for more than a decade. Mike enjoys volunteering for nonprofits within the region.

Operations Administrator

Kaitlyn has been living in the Verde Valley for the past decade and has taught 2nd-5th grade at WSS and CCS. After teaching for 7 years and earning her Masters in Educational Administration, she went on to be the Site Coordinator at CCS for their 21st Century After School Clubs. She is excited to be working with LISA and helping us grow.

Mr. Macdonald graduated from the University of Arizona in May 2019 with a Master’s in Public Health Policy and Management and a Juris Doctorate. He is a licensed attorney in Arizona and is a member of the Yavapai-Apache Bar. Mr. Macdonald has been accepted to practice in the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona and the 9th Circuit. Mr. Macdonald resides in Cottonwood with his wife and two children.

Thank you LISA for the curriculum purchase for Title 1 that will support 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students to grow our nonfiction text comprehension skills. Your purchase will help not just students during the current year, but for years to come as these materials are reusable.
Verde Valley Teacher
Our cooking club wants to thank you for the funding that you provided for our club. Thanks to your generous donations, our students have created some delicious and amazing looking food. We greatly appreciate all you do.
After-school Club Leader
Thank you LISA for buying my son a bed and bedding. I couldn’t stop crying watching him sleep last night. He is so happy. You really did an amazing thing.
Verde Valley Parent

View more success stories >

We are a transparent organization, please contact us with any specific information needed.