Meet Our Team

Regina Cornelius

Director of Admissions

Regina Cornelius serves as the Director of Admissions at Sylvan Learning Center in Columbia, SC. She plays a key role in connecting local families with personalized tutoring services, including reading, writing, mathematics, and test preparation. A native of the Columbia (Metropolitan) area, Regina received her Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Wesleyan University, where she experienced core disciplines such as STEM, communication, collaboration, and business, She is dedicated to ensuring every student finds the personalized support they need to thrive academically and personally. Regina emphasizes and places a strong focus on matching students with tailored tutoring programs, including Reading, Math, and STEM. With a passion for the educational success of each student, Regina acts as the primary point of contact guiding families through the initial assessment process and development of student-specific learning plans to bridge any gaps. Regina is dedicated to fostering a positive, and supportive environment, while ensuring every student reaches their full potential.

Day Able

Director of Education

Day Able is a graduate of Winthrop University with a wide range of experience in the field of education. She has engaged in international research focused on educational disparities and served as a Teach For America corps member, where she made significant contributions to student learning and classroom instruction. As a former classroom teacher, Mrs. Able is deeply committed to ensuring that all students have equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities and resources. She actively advocates for educational equity by organizing an annual book drive that provides essential reading materials to students in under-resourced communities. Mrs. Able’s passion for education and unwavering dedication to student success are evident in her ongoing efforts to empower learners and support their academic and personal growth.

Melony Stokes

Instructor

Melony is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with degrees in English and Education. She is a “native” of Columbia and has lived her whole life here. She enjoys learning different languages and hanging out with her dog.

Graden Trenary

Tutor

Graden Trenary is one of our dedicated math tutors. Having joined the team in the fall of 2022, Graden uses his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics to expand students’ horizons and weave a tapestry of logical connections. Graden is a kid at heart and sympathizes with his students, encouraging personal growth with both gentleness and fun. He spends his free time producing music, programming synthesizers, and writing science fiction.

Willie Simuel

Tutor

Willie is a tutor in North East Columbia, SC with a gift for analyzing and simplifying literature. She finds great joy in sharing her love of reading with others, especially young people. She studied at the University of South Carolina and recently completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a Writing Concentration. She also previously completed a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art. She joined the Sylvan team in March 2022. When Willie is not at Sylvan, she can be found spending time with family and friends; enjoying the outdoors; various arts and crafts; reading a good book, and writing.

Melissa Deloach

SAT/ACT - College Prep LIVE, Online Professor

Director

Melissa Deloach joined the Sylvan team in May 2019. By day she’s the Director of the Scholar’s Academy for Spartanburg County, but in the evenings and on Sundays, she manages our college prep program, including SAT/ACT prep and College Reading Strategies. Melissa holds degrees from Clemson University and Converse College. When she isn’t helping teens prepare for college either here or at the Scholar’s Academy, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Dr. Jeff French

SAT/ACT - College Prep LIVE, Online Professor

Dr. Jeff, as his Sylvan students call him, graduated from Furman University in 1995. He then held a variety of college-level roles as graduate student, program coordinator, and instructor for the University of South Carolina and Midlands Technical College while also serving as a zookeeper at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. With a focus on genetics and ecology, Dr. French finished his graduate work in biology and currently serves as Chair of Biology and Assistant Dean of Science and Math at North Greenville University. In his “free time”, he enjoys preparing students for the SAT and ACT as a LIVE, online instructor for Sylvan.

Tracy Levi

SAT/ACT - College Prep LIVE, Online Instructor

Tracy Levi holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology and a master’s degree In civil engineering. For eleven years she served as a civil engineer in Florida, working primarily with storm water management and water quality programs. Since moving to Asheville, she has enjoyed teaching Hebrew and Judaica to religious school students and teaching reading and math at Sylvan. She also teaches SAT/ACT math through our LIVE, online classes. In her spare time, Tracy enjoys the company of her two daughters and outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. She also has a passion for music and plays keyboard in a local band.