Our Team

Carey Dahncke serves as the fourth Executive Director for the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis. He is a vocal advocate for educational reforms, working to keep CELL at the forefront of innovation as the leader of opportunity and quality for Hoosier educators and students.

Carey brings many years of leadership to CELL with diverse experiences across elementary and secondary teaching, international education through the Fulbright program, and traditional public school and charter school leadership.

A graduate of the American College in London (Regent's University London) with a bachelor of business administration cum laude, Carey completed his teacher preparation at Eastern Illinois University (EIU), later earning a master of science in educational administration from EIU. He holds an education specialist degree from Arkansas State University and completed his doctoral research in education at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Outside of the university, you can find Carey traveling and spending time with his family on a lake somewhere.

Reneé Cocanower serves as a Senior Project Coordinator supporting Early College initiatives. Before coming to CELL, Renee’ spent twenty-nine years in K-12 schools serving as a high school English teacher, Director of Student Services, high school associate principal, Director of Secondary Curriculum, Director of Secondary Schools, and most recently as Director of Student Services, Grants, and Assessment. Additionally, she served one year at Indiana University South Bend as the Director of Student Teaching and Field Experiences.  Renee’ earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education (English) from Indiana University South Bend and her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Indiana Wesleyan University. She returned to Indiana University South Bend to complete coursework in school administration. Renee’s vision is that every student leaves high school credentialed for the next postsecondary step they choose. Renee’ and her husband have two adult sons, two daughters in law, and three beautiful grandchildren. In addition to working, she enjoys walking, kayaking, and reading.

Steve Combs serves as Director of Early College at the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning, where he leads the Early College High School initiative impacting schools across Indiana. He brings 27 years of experience in secondary education, beginning his career as a high school social studies teacher before entering school leadership in 2008. Steve served as assistant principal at both the middle and high school levels and as a high school principal from 2010 to 2021, during which time he launched his school’s Early College program in 2015. He was recognized as Indiana Association of School Principals District 11 Principal of the Year in 2014 and 2019.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education from the University of Evansville, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the Olivet Nazarene University, and an Indiana Administrator’s License through Oakland City University.

Andrea Fisher serves as the Communications Manager for CELL. In her role, she develops and executes communication strategies that help people connect with CELL's mission and work. Andrea has a bachelor’s degree in professional writing from Taylor University with minors in sociology and honors and a master’s degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University. Andrea has previous experience as a marketing coordinator and served as a director of recruiting at a nonprofit before joining CELL as the project coordinator for Teach Dual Credit Indiana in 2020. In 2023, she transitioned into the communications manager position at CELL. Andrea loves reading, getting outdoors, and spending time with her family.

Kyleigh Gerlach serves as the Director of Operations for CELL. At CELL, Kyleigh is responsible for the financial management and event coordination. Before joining CELL, she was a collegiate volleyball coach for the University of Indianapolis and most recently, Virginia Commonwealth University. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Indianapolis in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in business education. Shortly after, Gerlach completed her master's degree in business administration from the University of Indianapolis. Outside of CELL, Kyleigh enjoys all things sports and spending time with her family.   

Megan serves as a Project Coordinator for Teach Dual Credit Indiana. In her role, she assists teachers meeting dual credit credentialing requirements through free graduate courses, degrees, and certificates. She has a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University in Psychology and a master’s degree in Elementary Education. Before joining CELL, Megan worked in elementary education for 15 years, teaching in the Chicago suburbs and urban Indianapolis. She enjoys cooking, baking, board games, spending time with her family, and going for walks.

Krista Hensley serves as an Early College Coordinator for CELL, with a focus on RECN. Her responsibilities include professional development, teacher outreach and networking, and assisting with organizational tasks. Before joining CELL's Early College RECN team, Krista spent 31 years in public education as an English teacher. While at Ben Davis High School, Krista assisted with professional development and implementation of several initiatives in Wayne Township. While at Center Grove, Krista assisted with the launch and implementation of the Early College program and served as the first EC lead teacher. Krista taught numerous dual credit courses in English and was credentialed by Vincennes University and Indiana University. She also was an adjunct English instructor at the University of Indianapolis. Krista graduated from UIndy with a bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education. She also completed her master’s degree in English at UIndy. An avid gardener and global traveler, Krista enjoys spending time in her pollinator garden or planning her next global adventure. When she is not gardening or traveling, she loves the company of her two children and her beagle Jax.

Lauren Howard serves as Communications Specialist for CELL. With nearly 25 years of marketing and communications experience – most of it supporting education-focused organizations – Lauren brings both strategic insight and creative storytelling to her role. She creates content that shares the stories of schools, educators, and partners driving education innovation across Indiana. Having worked with CELL earlier in her career, Lauren is thrilled to return for a second chapter with the team. She holds an MBA from the University of Indianapolis and is accredited through the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Away from the office, Lauren swaps her keyboard for a beekeeper’s veil, spoils her English Bulldog, and unwinds with a guilty-pleasure TV show.

Dana Jones serves as a Senior Project Coordinator for CELL. She coordinates the Indiana Special Education Assisted Licensure (I-SEAL) project that works to prepare teachers with graduate courses to become highly qualified to teach special education in Indiana.

Prior to joining CELL, Dana worked in several non-profits serving organizations that work with youth of all age groups to increase the quality of their programming through professional education, including the Indiana Department of Education. Dana has a degree in Child Development, Business Administration with a certificate in Human Services, as well as two master’s degrees in Education. Outside of her work with CELL, Dana volunteers with the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs (GFWC) and enjoys activities at church, as well as spending time with her family and friends.

Stacy Knoop is a Literacy Specialist at CELL. As a member of the literacy team, she supports high-quality literacy instruction and coaching for K-12 and higher ed students and educators in Indiana. Stacy’s experience includes serving as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator in Perry Township Schools and as a senior specialist at the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching. Stacy attended IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis), where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Special Education. She completed administrator licensing coursework at Purdue University. Stacy holds an Indiana teacher license and principal license and a Structured Literacy™ Classroom Teacher Knowledge Certificate (C-SLCT) from the Center for Effective Reading Instruction through the International Dyslexia Association. Outside of CELL, she has also served as an adjunct faculty member in the UIndy School of Education and is the treasurer for the Indiana branch of the International Dyslexia Association.

Emily Lock serves as the Event Coordinator for CELL. Before joining the CELL team, Emily worked as an educator for twenty-one years as a humanities teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University. She has a minor in linguistics with a concentration in reading and writing literacy. Outside of CELL, you can find Emily spending time with her husband and watching her four children play soccer, cheer, and wrestle.

Amy Lorch serves as a Literacy Training Specialist at CELL. In her role, Amy oversees the delivery of statewide training efforts as part of the Indiana Literacy Cadre, ensuring that educators receive comprehensive professional development and support. Before joining CELL, Amy worked in MSD Warren Township for 31 years. Amy served the students as a classroom teacher, a reading interventionist, an instructional coach, and most recently, as the reading coordinator. She has also been an adjunct instructor for the Transition to Teaching program. Amy graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Education. Outside of CELL, you will find Amy listening to audiobooks, podcasts, enjoying live music, attending Broadway shows, traveling, and attending Colts games. She especially enjoys spending time with her husband, her three adult children, and her friends.

Brooke serves as the Career Readiness Project Coordinator for CELL. Her current project involves collaborating with four rural Indiana schools in the Indiana Pathways to Careers and Postsecondary (P-CAP) initiative, which will provide students with relationship-driven opportunities to expand their learning through hands-on experiences with business, industry, and higher education partners in their community. Prior to this role, Brooke served as the Team Leader for Columbus Area Career Connection (C4), the career and technical education program in the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation. During that time she managed the Dual Credit, Work Based Learning, roll-out of the Next Level Pathways of Study, and also taught several sections of Preparing for College and Careers. Brooke earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Secondary Education from DePauw University, a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Special Education from the University of Indianapolis, and a Master of Education degree from Indiana State University in School Administration and Supervision. Outside of CELL, you can find Brooke and her husband cheering on their boys at their soccer and hockey games and traveling, especially to Disney World.

Kassy Morales serves as a Literacy Project Manager at CELL. As a Project Manager, Kassy oversees efforts for recruitment, training, and implementation of literacy initiatives. Prior to joining the CELL team, Kassy worked as a classroom teacher for many years in various grade levels and departments in multiple elementary schools including: Preschool through 6th grade, Special Education, and English as a New Language. In addition to her years in the classroom, Kassy has served as an instructional coach in two different school districts. For the past six years, Kassy was an elementary school administrator. She earned her undergraduate degree from Ball State University in Elementary Education, a master’s degree from Butler University in Effective Teaching, and a second master’s degree in Educational Administration & Supervision from Ball State University. Kassy also holds a teacher’s license and a principal license. Outside of CELL Kassy can be found reading, going to concerts, and spending time with family and friends.

Jessica Parson serves as a Literacy Project Manager in which she oversees efforts for recruitment, training, and implementation of literacy initiatives within the Indiana Literacy Cadre. Prior to joining the CELL team, Jessica worked as an educator for twenty years in various roles including Elementary Teacher, Gifted and Talented ELA Teacher,  K-2 Instructional Coach, and Principal of an urban charter school. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from DePauw University and her Master's in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. She also completed the National Principals Academy and Fellowship through Relay Graduate School of Education. Outside of her passion for education, you can find her spending time with her son, attending soccer games, and putting together interior design ideas for friends.     

Mike Raters serves as Special Projects Coordinator for Early College and the GRAD Partnership. In his role, he works with school administrators and teacher-leaders to forge meaningful relationships with students to boost their attendance and academic success. A former high school teacher and coach, collegiate administrator, and middle school principal, Mike has vast leadership experience rooted in the value of students-centered, learning-focused engagement with all constituencies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and education from Wabash College, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Butler University. Mike loves spending time on the Cultural Trail and in other Indianapolis sports and entertainment activities with his wife and family.

At CELL, Cynthia provides overall project management guidance and leadership across the Early Literacy project. Prior to joining the CELL team, Cynthia’s extensive background in education included teaching high school algebra and geometry, working as an education specialist in assessment and curriculum with the Indiana Department of Education, was the Director of Assessment for Indianapolis Public Schools, Senior Director of Accountability & Assessment for the Indiana State Board of Education, and Director of Assessment for Project Lead The Way. Her degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from Indiana State University, Master of Science in Education with a focus in human learning and measurement from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and an Educational Specialist in Education Administration from Indiana State University. Cynthia enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, hiking, and reading on her deck.  

Cassondra Rucker serves as the Project Coordinator for the Indiana Literacy Cadre at the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL). Cassondra oversees and manages all aspects of the initiative’s contracts and its budgets with the main objective to provide high levels of support to ensure contractual compliance and budgetary balance towards the Early Literacy and STEM initiative. Before joining CELL, Cassondra held the position of Associate Bursar – Accounting with Purdue University (West Lafayette) and has previously held the position of Account Coordinator with Indianapolis Public Schools. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree (2006) and Master of Science degree (2008) in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. In addition to her degrees, she has earned certificates in Federal Student Aid and the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP). Cassondra takes her fiscal talents outside of CELL to give back to the community in which she holds a volunteer treasury board member position with Mount Zion Baptist Church Daycare Ministry, a Scholarship Developer for Joyful Sound Productions scholarship program, and aids the scholarship and finance area as a member of the American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 99.

Megan Thompson serves as Director of Literacy for the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis. Megan has dedicated more than twenty years to serving students and families across the preschool through secondary landscape. She is passionate about equipping teachers with the skills, knowledge, and resources that support quality educational experiences for all students. In addition to her years in the classroom, Megan has served as an instructional coach, director of curriculum and innovation, and most recently as Director of Elementary Education. She earned her undergraduate degree from Franklin College in elementary education and graduated summa cum laude with a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Ball State University. Megan earned an Educational Specialist degree from William Carey University in Instructional Leadership where she is also a doctoral student. Megan holds an Indiana teacher license and principal license and a Structured Literacy™ Classroom Teacher Knowledge Certificate (C-SLCT) from the Center for Effective Reading Instruction through the International Dyslexia Association. Outside of the university, you can find Megan reading, walking, playing the piano, or traveling.

Brooke Vollen serves as a Project Coordinator for CELL. In this role, she collaborates with schools and educators across Indiana to support student success and advance statewide educational initiatives. Her current work focuses on Pathways to Careers and Postsecondary (P-CAP), which helps students connect classroom learning to real-world experiences and future postsecondary and career opportunities. 

Previously, Brooke served as a Project Coordinator for STEM Teach Indiana, where she supported STEM dual-credit teachers in meeting credentialing requirements through access to graduate coursework, degrees, and certificates. She worked closely with educators to strengthen the pipeline of qualified and interested students in high-need STEM fields. 

Brooke holds a bachelor's degree in political science with minors in history and leadership, ethics, and social action, as well as a Master of Science in culture, literacy, and language education, both from Indiana University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration with concentrations in marketing and AI/data analytics. Outside of work, Brooke enjoys being outdoors, reading novels, and spending time with her family.

Tori serves as the Assistant Project Coordinator for Early College. At CELL, she provides comprehensive logistical, administrative, and operational support for the Early College initiative. Tori has spent the last 10 years exploring the world of education, beginning with her time as a classroom teacher, followed by work in the nonprofit space, before landing in higher ed. Tori graduated from Indiana University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Outside of work you'll find Tori discovering new coffee shops, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with her family. 

Trish Wlodarczyk is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at CELL. At CELL, Trish has served in several roles since joining the team in 2008, and she currently oversees two dual credit credentialing programs, STEM Teach and Teach Dual Credit Indiana. Prior to joining the CELL team, Trish served as the End of Course Assessments Coordinator at the Indiana Department of Education. Prior to that, she worked for the Salt Lake School District in Utah overseeing and developing Language Arts K-12 district-wide assessments and leading professional development for ELA teachers. Prior to her assessment roles, she taught secondary English/Language Arts in Guam, California, and Kansas. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and advertising. Trish also completed a Master of Arts in Teaching from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. Outside of CELL, Trish can be found walking, reading, cooking, watching her girls play school and club volleyball, and spending time with her family.