Rebeccah Lystash

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia

GEAR UP Virginia Project Director

Rebeccah Lystash serves as the Project Director for GEAR UP Virginia, a federal college access initiative housed at SCHEV that helps over 8,000 students across Virginia prepare for college and career success. She began her career in college access with the Virginia College Advising Corps, working as a college adviser at the former T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia.

Before leading GEAR UP Virginia, Rebeccah held various roles dedicated to supporting college access and student success. Her experience includes directing TRiO Upward Bound programs and managing grant performance at Central Carolina Community College.

Rebeccah earned a Master of Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Affairs and Religious Studies from the University of Virginia.