Our Team
William Polite
Dr. William Polite, known as Coach Polite to his students, has dedicated his life to helping students reach their full potential across America. With a B.A. in Mathematics from Morehouse College, an M.A. in Christian Leadership Studies, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Dr. Polite’s research focuses on the formation of students’ academic identities based on their social influences. He has served in numerous roles, including mathematics teacher, principal, athletic coach, and motivational speaker, impacting urban students in cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, and Wichita.
Hercules Finley
Hercules Finley served as an Advisory and Trustee Board Member for Christian Ministries to Offenders and Chaplain Services at Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility for 25 years. He received his bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University in Social work and Certification as a Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Counselor. He also received his public-school substitute teaching license from the Kansas State Department of Education and is now serving as a certified professional Future Ready Advocate and Professional Mentor for USD259 school district. Mr. Finley also served in the United States Armed Forces, United States Army Medical Support.
Michael Lewis
An Assistant Coach at Friends University, speaker, former employee of Gear Up, and has coached both Men’s Basketball and Cross Country at Wichita West High School. Currently Michael works as a Future Ready Advocate for Wichita Public Schools. Michael holds an Associate of Applied Science General Studies degree from Eastern Wyoming College, a B.A. in Hospitality, Meeting, and Travel Administration from Metropolitan State College of Denver, and holds a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business.