Paula Forte — Membership Coordinator

Paula Forte is the AAR’s Membership Coordinator. She is originally from Arizona, where she completed her undergraduate studies at Arizona State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice. While completing graduate work in criminal justice, Forte worked for Maricopa County Juvenile Probation in research and statistical analysis.

In 2006, Forte relocated to Atlanta to attend the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, where she earned a MDiv degree. Her theological training concentrated on the art of homiletics. Currently, in addition to her position at the AAR, Forte is also the Youth and Young Adult Minister at the Greater Solid Rock Baptist Church in Riverdale, Georgia. She is happily married to Raymond Forte and has three daughters.

Shani Settles — Technology Program Assistant

Shani Salama Settles joined the AAR in January 2012 as the Technology Program Assistant. She has a BA in anthropology and religious studies from the University of Missouri, Columbia, a MA in women’s studies from Emory University, and is completing her doctorate in women’s studies at Emory University.

Settles has over ten years of experience in student affairs as an admission counselor, recruiter, at-risk advising coordinator, and adjunct faculty in religion. She has also worked in broadcast journalism providing administrative support and desk coordination for the NBC News Bureau in Atlanta. At the AAR, she works closely with Susan Snider and Steve Herrick on journalism programs, regional communications, and technology initiatives.

Settles enjoys playing tennis, hiking, scuba diving, ATS dancing, throwing pottery, organic farming, and traveling.

Jane Smith — Accounting Assistant

Jane Smith joined the AAR staff in December 2011. She has many years of nonprofit accounting experience, including three years as the accounting manager for the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and several years with Scholars Press, where she served in the accounting department. Her responsibilities include cash receipts/payables and other duties assigned by the Director of Finance and Administration. Smith holds a BBA in accounting from Georgia State University.

A native of Atlanta, Smith is married and has two children. She enjoys activities with her family and friends, volunteering at school, decorating, classic movies, and the occasional running event.