Scholarship America

Clifford L. Stanley, Major General, USMC (Retired), Ed.D.

Dr. Clifford L. Stanley, a retired major general, led a distinguished 33-year career with the U.S. Marine Corps before becoming the president of Scholarship America in July 2004. 

Stanley was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps upon graduating from South Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree.

He embarked on a military life that was distinguished by consistent promotion and ongoing education, becoming the Marines' first-ever African-American regimental commander early in his career. Stanley was promoted to the ranks of Colonel and Brigadier General well ahead of the Marine Corps’ normal schedule and has received numerous military honors for his service. 

Stanley holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from South Carolina State University, a master’s degree in counseling with honors from Johns Hopkins University, honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from South Carolina Sate University and Spalding University and a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Vice President

Scholarship America, Scholarship Management Services

Donald E. Lassere

Donald E. Lassere was named Vice President for Scholarship America’s Scholarship Management Services division in January 2006.  Prior to joining SMS, Lassere held a variety of positions in marketing and senior management at Bell Atlantic Corporation (now Verizon), Ernst and Young LLP and Enron. 

Lassere’s most recent position prior to joining SMS was Vice President, Sales & Marketing for Gallup Worldwide Consulting/The Gallup Organization.

Lassere holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of San Francisco, an MBA from Harvard Business School and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Assistant Vice President

Scholarship Management Services

Barb Weber

Barb Weber, Assistant Vice President, Scholarship Management Services, has been with Scholarship America for 19 years.  She has served as Program Manager, Senior Manager, Training Coordinator and Director of Operations.  Weber’s responsibilities include overseeing the administration and conduct of over 1100 scholarship and tuition assistance programs. 

Weber is also responsible for customer satisfaction, client negotiations and maintenance, and new product development.  Prior to joining Scholarship America, Weber held positions at Farm Credit Services and State Farm Insurance.  Weber holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Gustavus Adolphus College.

National Director of Marketing and Sales

Scholarship Management Services

Mike Guyer-Wood

Mike Guyer-Wood, National Director of Sales and Marketing, Scholarship Management Services, is responsible for the sales and marketing efforts of scholarship and education assistance programs.

Mike has been a Marketing Director with Scholarship Management Services for over five years. Prior to joining SMS, he was Director of One Stop Student Services at the University of Minnesota and Student Accounts Manager at the University of St. Thomas.

Mike holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Communication and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato.