Our Team
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Executive Director
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.
Our Team
Alexa Berkshire
Assistant Project Coordinator - STEM Teach and Teach Dual Credit Indiana
CELL
317-788-2183
berkshirea@uindy.edu
Janet serves as Director of the Rural Early College Network (RECN) at CELL. RECN is a federal EIR grant project that involves 20 rural Indiana high schools that are implementing the Early College model. Prior to this role, Janet served as CELL’s Director of Early College, Assistant Executive Director, and Executive Director. Before coming to CELL, Janet worked in both K-12 education and higher education. Her K-12 work includes serving as a middle school English teacher, curriculum director for two large districts, assistant principal of Ben Davis High School, and assistant superintendent of curriculum for Center Grove Community Schools. She also has worked as an associate professor of education at three universities: Manchester University, the University of WI—Stevens Point, and IUPUI. Her higher education areas of expertise include methods of secondary instruction, gifted/talented education, children’s literature, and foundations courses. As a lifelong educator, Janet continues to enjoy learning, helping teachers and administrators provide relevant education, and creating new initiatives to help CELL continue its impact across Indiana.
Reneé Cocanower
Senior Coordinator - Urban College Acceleration Network
CELL
317-788-2388
cocanowerr@uindy.edu
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 walking her dog, Rocky.
Kimberly Hendricks serves as a Project Coordinator for CELL. Kimberly coordinates the Indiana Teachers of English Learners Licensure (I-TELL) project helping educators across Indiana earn English as a New Language (ENL) licensure and serve as Teachers of Record for English Learners across the state. Kimberly is a graduate of Purdue University and carries a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Services. Prior to joining CELL, Kimberly worked in the non-profit sector focusing on early childhood education, grant writing, and community outreach. Outside of CELL, Kimberly enjoys time with her family, taking road trips, and DIY projects.
Krista Hensley serves as an Early College coordinator for CELL with a focus as the RECN coordinator. 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.
As the Early College Senior Coordinator, Sandy Hillman helps lead efforts to train, develop, and endorse Early College High Schools around the state. She served as the Director of Early College at CELL from 2018 to 2024, leading statewide efforts for the initiative. Prior to joining CELL, she was the director of Early College at Center Grove High School in Greenwood. A long-time educator, Sandy has taught Spanish and English, been a high school counselor, and served in principal roles at the middle and high school levels. She has a B.A. in Spanish from Earlham College and an M.A.E. in counseling from Ball State University. She completed coursework for her secondary administrator’s license at Ball State and Miami of Ohio University. She has served as the Executive Director of the Indiana Association of Student Councils and currently volunteers as a mentor for new administrators through the Indiana Association of School Principals. In her free time, she serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association for Student Activities, a student leadership development advocacy group.
Dana Jones serves as a Senior Project Coordinator for CELL. At CELL, Dana 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 the State. She also oversees the Indiana Teachers of English Learners Licensure (I-TELL) project. Prior to joining CELL, Dana worked in several non-profit organizations that served organizations that work with the 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 a master’s degree 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 for ALL students in Indiana. Before joining CELL, Stacy served in Perry Township Schools as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator. Most recently, she was a Senior Specialist at the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching. Stacy attended IUPUI where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Special Education. She completed administrator
Emily Lock serves as the Event Coordinator for CELL. Before joining the CELL staff, 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. In addition to her passion for education, Emily is the proud owner of an event planning business, Slumber U. Outside of CELL, you can find Emily spending time with her husband and watching her four children play soccer, cheer, and wrestle.
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 staff, 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 staff, 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.
Regina Roberson
Senior Coordinator - Urban College Acceleration Network (UCAN)
CELL
317-788-3200
robersonr@uindy.edu
Regina Roberson, a Senior Coordinator of CELL’s Urban College Acceleration Network (UCAN), provides coaching and support to urban high schools as they develop and implement Early College programs. Regina has spent the last twenty-four years as a high school counselor, middle school counselor, school social worker, and most recently, an Early College Career Counselor in Elkhart. In 2017 and 2021, she was integral to Elkhart High School becoming a CELL-endorsed and re-endorsed Early College High School. Before becoming an educator, Regina was a probation officer for Elkhart County. She received her BA in Criminal Justice from Indiana University Bloomington and her MSEd in Counseling from Indiana University South Bend. She is a member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the Indiana School Counselor Association (ISCA). Regina passionately believes all students can become college and career-ready if provided opportunity and resources. She further believes in community service and has served on several boards and service-oriented organizations, including LaCasa, Inc., The Tolson Center for Community Excellence-External Communications Committee, Back-2-School Elkhart, and Family Services of Elkhart County. Regina is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., has four adult children, and will soon have three grandchildren. She enjoys watching most sports, attending church, reading, and hanging out with family and friends. You may also see Regina around town in Elkhart with her husband Rod, the Mayor of Elkhart.
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.
Ellie Sander
Assistant Project Coordinator - Indiana Literacy Cadre
CELL
317-788-5388
sandere@uindy.edu
Jeannie Schwartz joined CELL in October 2023 as an Early College coordinator. As part of the CELL team, she assists with professional development for Early College training events. Before joining CELL, Jeannie spent 38 years in public education, including years as a middle school English and social studies teacher in the Center Grove Community School Corporation. Although her passion began with serving students, she also has a heart for teachers and the hard work they do every day. During her last 8 years at Center Grove, she served as an Instructional Coach with a focus on partnering with new and veteran educators to set and meet goals for both themselves and their students. As a teacher and as a coach, she has had the opportunity to present at multiple conferences and to assist in facilitating the teacher leadership academy for Center Grove. Jeannie received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from IU Indianapolis (formerly IUPUI), both in Secondary Education. Jeannie enjoys visiting her grandchildren and being part of their lives. Otherwise, this unashamed country music fan enjoys going to concerts, watching movies, and spending time with her husband and two dogs.
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 the Project Coordinator for STEM Teach. In her role, she assists STEM dual credit teachers to meet credentialing requirements through free graduate courses, degrees, and certificates. Brooke enjoys working alongside educators to strengthen the pipeline of interested and qualified students in STEM fields. She graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and minors in History and Leadership, Ethics, and Social Action. Brooke also completed a Master of Science degree in Culture, Literacy, and Language Education from Indiana University. Prior to joining CELL, Brooke has worked within the government, non-profit, and educational sectors. Brooke enjoys the outdoors, reading novels, and spending time with her family.
LaKeisha, a Program Coordinator of CELL’s Urban College Acceleration Network (UCAN), provides coaching and support to urban high schools as they develop and implement Early College Programs. LaKeisha, a Gary, Indiana native, is an alum of the Student Affairs and Higher Education program at Indiana State University. LaKeisha’s reason for pursuing higher education was to help transform the higher education system into a more equitable and accessible system for minority student populations. Within this role, LaKeisha’s goal is to cultivate an educational environment that provides high levels of support unaccompanied by high levels of expectations to maximize the potential of Scholars. This vision provides opportunities for high-quality education, increases college readiness, and removes barriers that hinder students’ success. LaKeisha believes education is one’s greatest source of empowerment and the most impactful tool for change.
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 staff, 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.