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Meet the Team

Washington Monument student learning Shadow

Get to know the people behind Close Up’s work!

At the heart of each Close Up program are more than 100 dedicated staff members in over ten departments who work together to make it all happen. Our executive officers, senior staff, program staff, and outreach staff are highlighted here, with the rest of the Close Up team working tirelessly behind the scenes to give students and teachers the experience of a lifetime.

 

Senior Leadership

 

Scot Wilson
Vice President of Academics 
Jodi Stewart Miteva
Vice President of Business Development
John Sturm
Vice President of Program Operations 
Porsche Johnson
Senior Director
of Finance 
Luke Stallings
Senior Director of Account Engagement
Blake Kohn
Executive Director of NNSP & Senior Advisor
Katie Whitmire
Senior Director of Student Programs
Heather Arnold
Senior Director of Academic Initiatives

Curriculum and Student Programs

 

Close Up curriculum staff form the core of our programs, ensuringthat students have a safe, rewarding, and memorable experience with us. Our program leaders and instructors come to us from all over the country, some of the nation’s top universities, and distinguished programs such as Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Teach for America. Together, they undergo over 120 hours of training in our curriculum and methodology, certification in First Aid and CPR, and ongoing professional development to build students’ skills and mindset for civic engagement.

 

Sara Emhof
Academic Director
Sante Mastriana
Director of Professional Development
Kevin Gomes
Senior Manager of Curriculum and Training
Katie Chandler
Manager of Special Programs
Reese Arthur
Senior Manager of Student Programs
Madeline Scully
Manager of Student Programs
Nicole Toliver
Manager of Student Programs
Aidan Herrera
Program Leader
Aris Hines
Program Leader
Miles Matthews
Program Leader
Michael Covin
Program Leader
Ryleigh Hogland
Program Leader
Danny Hastings
Curriculum and Training Specialist
Ellen Crofts
Curriculum and Training Specialist
Jodie Grief
Curriculum and Training Specialist
Abby Manning
Special Programs Coordinator
Alex Fisher
Senior Program Instructor
Ben Schmitt
Senior Program Instructor
Cameron Baker
Senior Program Instructor
Gabriella Ramasci
Senior Program Instructor
Jake Pavao
Senior Program Instructor
Mercedes Kenitzer
Senior Program Instructor
Salvatore Fullon
Senior Program Instructor
Sophia Olivia
Senior Program Instructor
Abbi Kaup
Program Instructor
Annie Elburn
Program Instructor
Katherine Saranchak
Program Instructor
Kellen Minick
Program Instructor
Punnammal Gross
Program Instructor
Zachary Cooper
Program Instructor

Teacher Programs and Professional Development

 

Logan Wills Elizondo
Teacher Program Specialist
John Cheeseman
Teacher Program Historical Guide
Michael Boateng
Teacher Program Coordinator
Joe Geraghty
Teacher Program Coordinator
Bobby Hunter
Teacher Program Specialist

Educational Outreach

 

Melissa Williams
Regional Manager of Educational Outreach
Jon Gerst
Manager of Business Development
Olivia Dumboski Gassett
Senior Business Development Coordinator
Sarah Strum
Program Development Specialist
Thomas Devine
Senior Educational Outreach Coordinator
Grace Steger
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Hannah Goldstein
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Jared Conn
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Kyra Hill
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Maria Romero Cuesta
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Timothy Cleasby
Educational Outreach Coordinator

Partnerships & External Affairs

 

Maura O'Brien
Director of Communications
Susan Van Wickler
Manager of Government Relations and Scheduling
Amada Robles
Social Media Coordinator
Kevin Rohrbaugh
Senior Partnerships Coordinator
Rachel Armstrong
Senior Partnership Support Coordinator
Charlotte Thomson
Partnerships Coordinator