Glenn F. Bender, Ph.D.
Dean of Academics
With a Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College and a Master of Arts and Doctorate in Philosophy and Educational Policy Studies from the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Bender brings extensive academic and administrative experience to the Board of Regents. During a 25 year career in secondary and higher education, he has served as Dean of Academics at the Academy at Swift River in Massachusetts, Director of Admissions at Blue Ridge School in Virginia, and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

Melissa Peacock, M.A., M.A.
Assistant Dean of Academics
Ms. Peacock graduated summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairmont State College, studied at the Universite de Caen in France, and earned two Master of Arts degrees in both French and Secondary Education from West Virginia University. She has taught at the high school and college level for many years, and most recently worked as a Translator for AXA Corporation.

Malissa Takacs, M.S.S.A., L.S.W.
Director of College Counseling
After graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Ms. Takacs earned a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University. A Licensed Social Worker and experienced educational advisor, she has worked as a guidance counselor and admissions counselor in both secondary and post-secondary institutions, most recently serving as Assistant Director of Admissions at Bluffton University in Ohio.

Erica Derr, M.L.S.
Librarian
A member of the American Library Association, Ms. Derr received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Master of Library Science degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has worked for the past several years at North Carolina magazine and in the Greensboro public library system.

Craig Bartholomew, Ph.D.
Instructor - Chemistry
Dr. Bartholomew holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Oregon State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from Kansas State University. In addition to his extensive work in the private sector - most notably as Vice President of R&D for a contract research firm - he has teaching experience at both the high school and college levels, including adjunct faculty positions at Wright College and Illinois Institute of Technology. Most recently, Dr. Bartholomew taught Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science at Montini Catholic High School in Illinois.

Jean Bartholomew, M.A.
Instructor – English Literature and Composition
With over 15 years of educational experience, Mrs. Bartholomew holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Northern Iowa, a Master of Arts in English from Kansas State University, and is a candidate for a Master of Liberal Arts from Harvard University. In addition to her prior work as a freelance writer and editor, she has worked as an English Instructor at both College of DuPage and Kansas State University.

Richard Boykin, M.A.
Instructor - World History and Religious Studies
A Doctoral Candidate, Mr. Boykin holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion from Duke University and a Master of Arts in History from Indiana University, with the British Empire comprising his dissertation topic and major field of study. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe and most recently served as an Associate Instructor of History at Indiana University.

Jerod M. Caligiuri
Instructor - Mathematics and Physical Sciences
Mr. Caliguiri holds a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics and a second Bachelor of Science in Theoretical Physics (with a minor in Mathematics) from Pennsylvania State University. Through his prior position at the Eberly College of Science at Penn State, he has worked on research projects designing electrical and mechanical systems for the National Science Foundation and NASA.

Armando Cooper
Instructor - Spanish Language and Literature
Mr. Cooper received his Bachelor of Science degree from Norfolk State University, completed extensive graduate work at St. Ambrose University and the Army School of Engineering and Logistics, and is a candidate for a Master of Education degree from Averett University. He has taught English and Spanish language and literature at the high school and college levels for many years.

Stephen Davidson, M.S.
Instructor - Mathematics
The recipient of several academic and merit scholarships, Mr. Davidson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Bluefield College in Virginia and a Master of Science degree in Mathematics from Virginia Tech University. His teaching experience prior to Carlbrook includes work in public secondary schools as well as individualized tutoring and instruction at the college level.

Melissa Elmes, M.A.
Instructor - English Literature and Composition
Mrs. Elmes holds a Bachelor of Arts in French from the College of William and Mary and an Master of Arts in English from Longwood University, with Arthurian studies comprising the subject of her thesis. She has also completed extensive coursework in literature, Art History and History at the American and Catholic Universities. A member of numerous professional organizations, her writing both fiction and academic is published at the regional, national and international levels, and she is a regular presenter at medieval and English conferences.

Nelly Jones, M.A., Ed.S.
Instructor - Fine Arts
Ms. Jones holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Fine Arts Education from the University of South Florida, and received her Educational Specialist degree in Education Administration from the University of Virginia. In addition to teaching, she has won several regional and national awards and has been featured in numerous art exhibitions during an artistic career spanning 30 years.

Matthew Lawton, M.A.
Instructor - French Language and Literature
Mr. Lawton received his Bachelor of Arts from Berry College in Georgia and his Master of Arts in French and Linguistics from the University of Florida.  In addition to earning Certificates of French Language and Cultural Studies at the Institut Catholique de Paris, Matthew has taught French at both the secondary and collegiate levels for the past several years.

Tamara Liaschenko
Instructor - Dance
With a Bachelor of Arts degree from CUNY-Queens College and over 20 years of physical training for both dance and theatre, Ms. Liaschenko has an extensive knowledge of health and fitness and an active interest in PE curriculum development. An accomplished dancer, she has performed in numerous local and regional productions and has served as a dance instructor for several years.

Chris Peterson, M.A.
Instructor – Biological Sciences and Mathematics
Mr. Peterson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Iowa and a Master of Arts in Environmental Studies from Brown University. In addition to his work as a field biologist and data analyst during his graduate studies, he has taught science and mathematics at both the secondary and collegiate levels for several years, most recently at The Oxbow School in California.

Travis Quay, M.A.
Instructor - Humanities and Latin
Mr. Quay holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Civilizations from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Arts in Classics with an emphasis in Classical Archaeology from the University of Arizona. He has worked in both the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Arizona State Museum, participated in archaeological excavations in Crete and Tuscany, and taught Latin and Greek at both the secondary and college levels for several years.

Scott Ramey
Instructor - Mathematics
Mr. Ramey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and has completed graduate coursework in Logic and Mathematics at Texas A&M University, UNC-Greensboro and North Carolina A&T University. For the past few years he has worked as a mathematics instructor at High Point Central Senior High School in North Carolina.

Leslie Robinson
Instructor - History and Social Sciences
Ms. Robinson graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Tulsa, and has worked as an anthropological field researcher and educator both in the United States and England. She is a candidate for a Master of Arts degree in Humanities from King's College of the University of London, with an emphasis on Imperial and Commonwealth History.

Mathew Stafford, M.F.A.
Instructor - Fine Arts
Originally awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology and Zoology from Humboldt State University, Mr. Stafford taught for several years before returning to school to pursue a lifelong interest in painting and ceramics. He subsequently earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Humboldt State University and a Master of Fine Arts from San Diego State University. A dedicated artist, his work has been exhibited at numerous galleries in California.