2025 CHA Faculty & Staff
Our faculty and staff are essential to what makes the Commonwealth Honors Academy prestigious and special. Faculty develop 3-week courses that challenge and inspire talented high school students. In addition to teaching courses, faculty help lead personal growth seminars, community meetings, and get to know their bright students through fun activities.
Leadership Team
Meet our leadership team.
Laura Sullivan-Beckers
Academic Dean
Dr. Laura Sullivan-Beckers is an Associate Professor of Biology at Murray State and the Academic Dean for the Commonwealth Honors Academy. Laura started her academic career with an interest in foreign languages and earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. Not long after graduating, she discovered an interest in non-human languages (or animal communication) and transitioned to wildlife biology. Two years later, she entered the Ph.D. program in biology at the University of Missouri. At Murray State, Laura teaches courses in zoology, ornithology, human anatomy, and general biology. Her research investigates the evolution of mating behaviors and communication of insects and spiders. When she’s not in the lab, she enjoys bird watching, nature photography, and keeping up with her daughter, Sylvie.
Melanie McCallon-Seib
Student Life Dean
Melanie McCallon Seib is the Student Life Dean at CHA and an Instructor in the Department of Organizational Communication and Leadership at Murray State University. For 22 years, Melanie built the Education Abroad Office at MSU, taking hundreds of students abroad to more than 30 countries, and bringing them all back alive. Though she planned to die under her Education Abroad desk, COVID altered those plans forever and she transitioned to a full-time faculty position in 2022. Melanie teaches courses on diversity and equality, intercultural communication, and leadership studies. When she’s not reading and researching, Melanie snuggles all the dogs, enjoys leatherwork and home reno, and hangs out with her two amazing sons, who incredibly still want to spend time with her.
Jonathan Durr
Counseling Director
Jonathan Durr is a licensed mental health counselor and serves as School Counselor at Paducah Tilghman High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in Spanish Education from Arkansas State University and his specialist in Education degree in clinical mental health counseling from Murray State. He also enjoys coaching the Marshall County Academic Team and Chess Team.
Faculty Members
Meet our faculty. Visit the courses page to learn more about what they'll be teaching.
Andy Black
Faculty
Andy Black is an Associate Professor of English and Philosophy at Murray State University, who thinks and writes about Methodism, Eighteenth-Century Women, Oral Speech, Video Games, and – believe it or not – the music of Kesha. He’s from Memphis, where he returns frequently to eat enough barbecue to give his hair a “dry rub” quality. Neither his three-year son George nor his schnauzer Hildy like it very much when Andy sings Kesha songs.
Ryan Goke
Faculty
Ryan Goke is the Director of the Speech & Debate Union at Murray State University and has coached dozens of students to state and national championships in speech and debate. He is originally from the Midwest (Wisconsin) but has lived in the South since he was 11. After finishing his master’s degree at Murray State, he went back to the Midwest for his PhD at North Dakota State University, where he met his Minnesotan wife (Maranda). He loves coffee, playing racquetball, hiking, and traveling the world.
Miguel Gomez
Faculty
Miguel Gomez (Dr. G) - As a dedicated professor at Murray State University, I specialize in educating future K-12 teachers, with a particular focus on middle school education. My passion for teaching is matched by my commitment to student engagement and recruitment. My approach emphasizes inclusive teaching strategies and curriculum development, ensuring a dynamic and supportive learning environment for all students. I am deeply invested in fostering educational excellence and preparing my students for their future roles as educators.
Ray Horton
Faculty
Ray Horton studies twentieth century and contemporary American literature, and his teaching at Murray State includes graduate and undergraduate courses in American literature, the honors seminar in literature and philosophy, humanities, and composition. His research focuses on the significance of religion in the modern American novel, a phenomenon that his book project in progress calls "American Fiction's Secular Faith." When he isn't teaching, reading, and writing, he's usually enjoying time with his daughters Emersyn (6) and Avery (3), advocating for equity and justice in higher education, playing the drums, and wondering if he will finally win the CHA ping pong tournament this year.
Marcie Hinton
Faculty
Dr. Marcie Hinton loves words and pictures that tell a story and worthy causes waiting for someone to tell their stories. She loves students who are willing to travel the world and fall in love with those things too. When not daydreaming about writing and traveling, she teaches public relations and media classes at Murray State University. She studies magazines, movies, cookbooks and maps as if it were her job. Oh wait, it is her job!
David Pizzo
Faculty
David Pizzo, PhD is an associate professor of European, Africa, and World history at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. He was a participant in the Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies from 2002-2004. He earned his PhD at the University of Chapel Hill and has been teaching at Murray State University since 2007. He has taught and completed research in Germany, Austria, Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia, Italy, France, the UK, and Greece. His first book, “To Devour the Land of Mkwawa”: Colonial Violence and the German-Hehe War in East Africa c. 1884-1914, focused on the German Empire in East Africa, and he has written several entries for Wiley-Blackwell’s Encyclopedia of War and Encyclopedia of Empire. David Pizzo has been intensely involved with education abroad since 2002 and has taught students on or directed over twenty programs in eleven different countries. He is currently the director of the KIIS Austria (Bregenz and Vienna) Program. He published a book on Germany and global history, After the Imperialist Imagination, in 2021. He is now working on a synthesis textbook about modern German history for undergraduate and graduate students.
Jessi Randall
Faculty
Jessi Randall is a writer and educator from Western Kentucky who currently teaches senior English and Arts Appreciation at Marshall County High School. She holds an MFA from Murray State in creative writing and her work can be found in Still: The Journal and The Heartland Review, among others. In her free time, she writes short stories and nonfiction that attempt to address problems she sees out in the world and in her own life as an educator and mother. When she's not grappling with these hard truths, she enjoys spending time playing games and crafting with her daughters and partner and being an active part of her local community. She is joining CHA for the third summer to help students write their own truths, even when they're disguised as fiction.
Najib Sahyoun
Faculty
Najib Sahyoun holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accountancy from Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), bringing more than 12 years of corporate experience spanning external and internal auditing, forensic accounting, compliance, and financial reporting. Outside the classroom, he enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures and cuisines.
Kait Steward
Faculty
Kait Steward is a visual artist and a firm believer in the magic of making. She is originally from Uniontown, Kentucky. She began her undergraduate work at Kentucky Wesleyan College and completed her Bachelors of Fine Arts at Murray State University in 2019. In 2023 she completed her Master of Fine Arts in Painting through Southern Illinois University. She has enjoyed instructing art history and a variety of studio art courses.
Kait now resides in Huntsville, Alabama. She works as a program assistant for Artspace 304, a non-profit in Carbondale, Illinois. Her works have been exhibited nationally, with themes of connection, nostalgia, and the digital world. Outside of academics she enjoys traveling, ghost stories, all things music, and spending time with her loved ones.
Todd Terry
Faculty
Todd Terry grew up on a farm in Carlisle County where he sang and played piano throughout his childhood. He went to Murray State where he earned a B. A. in Music, M. A. in Teaching, and met his wife. He began his career teaching elementary music in Vail, CO, while he was on a singing ski team during the weekends. Todd taught middle school music and choir for 15 years at Sayre School in Lexington, KY, and he has been the music teacher at East Calloway Elementary for 11 years. He loves to cook, travel, dance, practice yoga, and piddle around in the yard whenever he gets the chance. Todd lives in Murray with his wife, Alison, and their cat, Cedric. Their daughter, Ella, is a grad student at Christ's College at the University of Cambridge.
Staff Members
Lori Rogers
Administrative Assistant
Lori Rogers has worked for Murray State since 1989 and serves as the Honors College Administrative Assistant. In 2000, the Commonwealth Honors Academy began and Lori was asked to join the Leadership Team. She serves as the first point of contact for high school counselors, parents, and students. Lori also assists the Leadership Team with the details of the academy. In her spare time, Lori is an avid reader and studies the culinary history of Southern cuisine. She loves to cook for her family and friends. Lori is an MSU alum and is married to Mark, a local residential contractor. She has one daughter, Brittiany, who also graduated from Murray State.
Dylan McCallon
Activities Coordinator
What’s up, I’m Dylan, and I’ll be your activities coordinator here at CHA! Learning can be exhausting, and it’s my job to help you all have a great time outside of the classroom within this amazing community. I am currently a rising junior at the University of Kentucky working towards a degree in biology. I enjoy getting involved in events with my fraternity, and being outside with my friends. Don’t hesitate to come to me with any questions, whether that be about CHA, college life, or just to talk to someone. I want everyone to feel like there is something for them to let off steam and take a break from the classroom, so if you have any suggestions for an activity, or event you would like to see more of, I am open to any and all ideas!
Matthew Callahan
Head Residential Counselor
My name is Matthew Callahan, and I am a graduating senior English Education major at Murray State University. This is my fourth year at the Commonwealth Honors Academy as a Residential Counselor. I have spent the last semester student teaching at Mayfield High School. Throughout the program, I will be easily found reading whatever new book has recently come out.
Kailee Goff
Photographer and Social Media Manager
My name is Kailee Goff, I am from Ohio County, Ky and I am a senior at Murray State University majoring in Studio Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design. I participated in the Disney College Program the Fall 2024 semester, and have been involved in leadership on campus for about 3 years. I am one of 7 siblings, and an aunt to 5. I enjoy art and design, traveling, being outside, reading, concerts, and making memories! I always aim to be a positive person and someone you can lean on! I cannot wait to meet everyone and capture the memories you make here at CHA 2025!
Kyler Webster
Residential Counselor
Hi, I’m Kyler and this is my third year as a residential counselor at CHA. I just finished my undergraduate degree here at Murray State, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Social Work. In the fall I will continue my education by obtaining a masters in clinical psychology here at Murray State! Aside from school, I am a retired fraternity member, full time dog dad, and a nerd who loves all things Star Wars and video games!
Abby Mott
Residential Counselor
Hey, I’m Abby Mott! I’m a sophomore at Murray State University studying Elementary Education, and I’m a proud local of Murray, KY. I recently had the chance to study abroad in Regensburg, Germany, which was such an incredible experience—I loved exploring new places and soaking up the culture! I attended CHA back in 2022, and I’m so excited to be returning for my second year as a residential counselor. On campus, I stay busy as a member of Delta Zeta and the Murray State Honors College, all while working toward my dream of becoming a teacher. When I’m not studying or working, you can find me reading a good book, spending time with friends, or hiking on a nearby trail. I’m counting down the days until CHA 2025 and can’t wait to meet everyone. Let’s make this summer unforgettable!
Abbey Brown
Residential Counselor
Hi! My name is Abbey Brown. I am a freshman at Murray State majoring in Studio Art. I love fashion, music, art, and anything outdoors! I am thrilled to be apart of the CHA program this year and I’m looking forward to this new experience!
Anna McGreevy
Residential Counselor
My name is Anna McGreevy, and this is my first year serving as a Residential Counselor this year at CHA. I am a senior Communication Disorders major with a theatre performance minor from Louisville, KY. In the fall, I will be attending a graduate program for speech-language pathology. As an undergraduate student at Murray, I served as the president of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, acted in several theatrical productions, hosted a podcast with my friends, and welcomed lots of incoming students to campus during Racer Nation Orientation. I was also an ambassador in the Honors College and for the university. I am so excited to serve as an RC and connect with all the amazing students that are attending!
Contact Us
If you have questions about faculty roles and responsibilities, please contact Dr. Laura Sullivan-Beckers at lbeckers@murraystate.edu
Leadership Team
- Laura Sullivan-Beckers, Academic Dean
- Melanie McCallon Seib, Student Life Dean
- Jonathan Durr, Counseling Director