Leadership Team

Walter Larkin, Jr. is the CEO of University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men. Prior to that, he served as Principal of Edison Tech and Executive Director of Transitional Programs for the RCSD. After graduating from Edison, he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo, and his master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Rochester. 

Mr. Larkin is a lifelong city resident who is well known to the Rochester community for his many years of service in education and mentoring. He coached the Edison boys track & field team from 1998-2010 leading them to 14 indoor & outdoor sectional team titles. He is also the recipient of the 2018 inaugural Rochester Black Men Achieve Awards, winning for the Distinguished School Leader of the year. 

Mr. Larkin is passionate about bringing value and providing opportunities for young men to be successful in all avenues of their journeys. “When you learn, teach and when you get, give”-Maya Angelo

Dr. Cam Lewis, a native of Rochester, NY, graduated with a B.A. in Communication and M.A. in Informatics from SUNY Buffalo. Most recently he obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education, with a focus on Human Development. His dissertation was focused on understanding the roles of families and organizations in supporting the needs of students who need academic re-engagement.

Cam has worked in Education for 16 years with organizations ranging from SUNY Buffalo and Rochester Institute of Technology. Most recently Cam has worked with Uncommon School’s Rochester Prep at both middle school and high school levels. He is currently the founding Director of Operations for Rochester Prep’s newest middle school. Cam has a passion for mentoring youth and assisting them on their educational/professional pathways. In his spare time, he enjoys exercise, basketball, pool (billiards) and spending time with his nieces, nephews, and godchildren. 

Kevin Klein is the Chief Academic Officer/Executive Principal of University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men.  Prior to coming to UPREP, Mr. Klein served as the Principal of Integrated Arts and Technology High School for ten years.  He also served as the principal of School 39, and as the director of Social Studies.  Mr. Klein grew up in Buffalo and attended Buffalo State College for his bachelor's degree.  Mr. Klein has two master's degrees, one from Brockport State University in education, and one from St. John Fisher College in School Administration.  Mr. Klein also attend a summer program on School Reform  at Harvard University.  Mr. Klein has served the children of Rochester for the last thirty four years.  During his career Mr. Klein was awarded the Outstanding Social lStudies Administrator Award for NYS,  SJFC Leadership Award, and the George A. Vito Peer Mediation Program Award.  Mr. Klein continues to remove barriers and provide opportunities fo the youth of Rochester.  "Well done is better than well said."  B. Franklin

Tracy DelGrego is the Principal of the Middle School at University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men.  Most of her 35-year career was in the Rochester City School District including elementary, middle and high school teaching and educational leadership.  Initially a special education teacher, she held leadership positions at East High School and Schools 8, 34 and 45.  In the Greece Central School District Ms. DelGrego held school and district leadership positions. After retiring from public education, Ms. DelGrego’s continued desire to improve the educational and social experience for the young men and families of Rochester led her to UPrep.  Her passion translates into her daily work, to ensure that Our Griffins have access to quality instruction and resources in a safe and engaging learning environment.  She is an advocate for our students and maintains close relationships with families sharing the milestones and challenges of raising teenage children.  Ms. DelGrego’s education includes a Bachelor’s of Science and a Bachelor’s of Arts from SUNY @Geneseo, a Master’s of Education in Special Education from the University of Virginia and a Master’s of Education, in Educational Leadership from St. John Fisher College.   Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.  Nelson Mandela

Tracy Harris, currently serves as the Career & Technical Education Director at UPrep. Prior to joining UPrep in July 29, Mrs. Harris was the Middle School Principal at YWCP.  Mrs. Harris holds a Master's Degree from St. John Fisher College in Educational Administration; Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with Advanced Study coursework from the University at Buffalo.  She is an alumnus of John Marshall High School where she returned to teach from 1999 - 2012; during which time she taught a variety of business courses ranging from Career & Personal Finance to Virtual Entrepreneurship.

Mr. Lee was born and raised in the City of Rochester, and is an Alum of Edison Technical and Occupational Center as well as the University of Buffalo.  Mr. Lee has always been one to work hard and achieve his goals, both academically and professionally.  Mr. Lee believe's his life's work is to give back to the community that gave so much to him, thus leading him to University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men.  He strives to use his story and passion to aid in the development of young black scholars today, being the leaders of tomorrow. 

For over 20 years Raheem Miller has been an integral part of the daily lives of the youth of Rochester, NY. Over the years he has coached young men and women in various sports such as: track & field, football, basketball and bowling. As an East High School graduate, Raheem recalls, "If you didn't do sports, there was little else. Sports kept me on the right path." Obtaining a scholarship to Michigan State for football and ultimately graduating allows for Coach Miller to be an example for the inner city youth that he works with on a daily basis. In 2014, Miller was inducted to the Section V Football Hall of Fame. Currently, he serves as an administrator for the University Preparatory Charter School, which he helped found. "I have always felt a need to work with youth; it is something that finds me”. 

Jamaal T. Peavy is the Director of Student, Family & Community Support & Engagement. For over 10 years, Mr. Peavy has worked in the realm of Youth Development and Support. He is passionate about supporting students and families through the transitions of life. Mr. Peavy has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology from Georgia Southern University, an M.Div from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, and is currently working on a MSW from SUNY Brockport. Throughout his career, he has been involved in various initiatives throughout the Rochester community like the Black Youth Leadership Development Program, the Historic Boy Scouts of America Troop #293, the Black Male Achievement Coalition and the ROCCITY 48 No Excuses Symposium. Mr. Peavy believes as we move from a reactive community to a pro-active community, we can help to develop young people who are self-aware, emotionally responsible and process driven. This focus coupled with trained professionals who identify and empathize with our youth will help shift the paradigm within our society to a healthy and holistic community.