;


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

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.

 

Sante Mastriana
Director of Professional Development
Katie Chandler
Manager of Special Programs
Katie Jones-Gray
Manager of Curriculum Design
Madeline Scully
Manager of Student Programs
Nicole Toliver
Manager of Student Programs
Reese Arthur
Manager of Student Programs
Shawn Ralston
Manager of Curriculum Design
Hannah Goldstein
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
Kevin Gomes
Curriculum and Training Specialist
Maria Perez
Curriculum and Training Specialist
Wendy Low
Curriculum and Training Specialist
Rebecca Lewis
Professional Development Specialist
Abby Manning
Special Programs Coordinator
Aidan Herrera
Senior Program Instructor
Jake Pavao
Senior Program Instructor
Jesse Wesso
Senior Program Instructor
Clay Bednarek
Senior Program Instructor
Grace Steger
Senior Program Instructor
Kendra Abbott
Senior Program Instructor
Salvatore Fullon
Senior Program Instructor
Paris Rosen
Senior Program Instructor
Colin Czubaruk
Program Instructor
Aubrey Sellman
Program Instructor
Abbi Kaup
Program Instructor
Joseph Padgett
Program Instructor
Kellen Minick
Program Instructor
Makda Kalayu
Program Instructor
Mercedes Kenitzer
Program Instructor

Civic Fellows

 

Teacher Programs and Professional Development

 

Joe Geraghty
Teacher Program Coordinator
Michael Boateng
Teacher Program Coordinator
John Cheeseman
Teacher Program Historical Guide
Bobby Hunter
Teacher Program Specialist
Declan Bigger
Teacher Program Specialist

Educational Outreach

 

Melissa Williams
Regional Manager of Educational Outreach
Lauren Rumski
Regional Manager of Educational Outreach
Jon Gerst
Manager of Business Development
Mariza Padilla
Senior Business Development Coordinator
Olivia Dumboski Gassett
Senior Business Development Coordinator
Cory Gassett
Business Development Coordinator
Sarah Strum
Program Development Specialist
Thomas Devine
Senior Educational Outreach Coordinator
Hywet Yonas
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Erykah Joseph-Valentine
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Jared Conn
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Madeline Doze
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Monica Clabeaux
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Timothy Cleasby
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Kyra Hill
Educational Outreach Coordinator

Partnerships & External Affairs

 

Heather Arnold
Senior Director of Academic Initiatives
Maura O'Brien
Director of Communications
Nicole Compton
Director of Strategic Engagement
Susan Van Wickler
Manager of Government Relations and Scheduling
Amada Robles
Social Media Coordinator
Kevin Rohrbaugh
Senior Partnerships Coordinator
Charlotte Thomson
Partnerships Coordinator
Rachel Armstrong
Partnership Support Coordinator
John Spulak
Alumni and Partnerships Coordinator
Libby Nicolay
Speakers and Partnerships Coordinator

Customer Service

 

Alejandra Quinonez
Account Relations Coordinator
Gabriella Keil
Customer Service Coordinator