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.
JJ Adams
Faculty
JJ got her start in education at a Title I school in Nashville about 12 years ago, and she subsequently became alternatively certified to teach Spanish and English. She taught Spanish at Graves County High School before transitioning to Marshall County as the Multilingual Learner Program Instructor and District Translator, a role she’s been in for five years. She graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in English: Creative Writing - Fiction, as well as a Masters of Arts in English with Spanish as a Cognate Discipline and a certificate in Gender Diversity Studies. She also holds a TESOL Certification from Texas A&M University. She enjoys life in Benton KY with her partner and their two dogs, Dilia and Crash.
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.
Ray Horton
Faculty
Ray Horton is an Associate Professor of English. He earned his Ph.D. from Case Western in English and studies 20th century and contemporary American literature. His research focuses on depictions of religion in the modern American novel, and he serves as President of the American Religion and Literature Society. When he isn't teaching, reading, and writing, he's usually enjoying time with his daughters, Emersyn and Avery, advocating for higher education's working and learning conditions, playing the drums, and wondering if this is the year that he will finally win the CHA ping pong tournament. Ray was named Kentucky Council of Teachers of English’s "College Teacher of the Year" in 2023 and has received the Murray State Board of Regents "Teaching Excellence Award."/p>
Michael Koebbe
Faculty
DMichael Koebbe is an experienced and passionate educator with over 20 years of teaching and leadership in social studies and business education in Kentucky and Michigan. He has taught grades 5-12 and served as a department chair, academic team coach, and curriculum leader. Known for creating immersive, project-based lessons that bring history to life, Koebbe has secured multiple grants to enhance instruction and led award-winning academic and Kentucky Youth Assembly teams. With a commitment to fostering critical thinking, creativity, and civic understanding, he strives to inspire students through engaging, real-world learning experiences.
Brent Norsworthy
Faculty
Since 2008, I have taught Graphic Communications and now serve as the curriculum coordinator for the Visual Communications program here at MSU. I’m a self-proclaimed nerd and maker whose interests range from design and technology to bees and pickleball. When I’m not in the classroom, you might find me pulling prints on one of my antique presses, building something in my workshop, or experimenting with ways to combine old and new (like using 3D printing to create plates for my 1892 letterpress). I love exploring the world, learning new tools, and tackling creative projects that blur the lines between art and science. My wife and I have of three teenagers. I am constantly reminded that creativity, like parenting, requires patience, flexibility, and a good sense of humor.
Jessi Randall
Faculty
Jessi Randall is a writer and educator from Western Kentucky who currently teaches freshman English 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. When not working, she enjoys coaching Academic Team and Future Problem Solvers and spending time with her daughters and partner as well as being an active part of her local community. She is joining CHA for the fifth summer to enjoy dissecting and writing the apocalypse with students.
Faris Sahawneh
Faculty
Meet Dr. Faris Sahawneh — Cybersecurity Professor and Privacy Advocate
Dr. Faris teaches Cybersecurity and Network Management at Murray State University, where he helps students uncover how technology really works — and how to protect themselves in a digital world.
He started out studying electrical engineering and biblical studies, earned his master’s in Telecommunications Systems Management from Murray State, and later completed a Ph.D. in Computer and Information Security from Northcentral University.
Dr. Faris has hands-on experience in cybersecurity, digital forensics, and privacy, and he’s passionate about helping the next generation stay safe online. His research explores topics such as the Internet of Things (IoT), virtualization, cyber ethics, and digital privacy — all of which shape how we live and work today.
His message to students is simple: your data matters, and your privacy is worth protecting. Join his Digital Shadows class to learn how hackers think, how systems are secured, and how you can build a future in cybersecurity.
Kait Steward
Faculty
Kait Steward (she/her) is an emerging artist and educator located in Huntsville, Alabama. She instructs Art Appreciation courses at a local community college, and keeps a studio at Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment. Her art practice involves photography, drawing, and painting. Her work has been shown nationally, and deals with themes like human connection, the complexity of memory, and digital interaction. She is a firm believer that making is magical, and creativity is essential to our well-being.
Todd Terry
Faculty
Todd Terry grew up on a farm in Carlisle County where he sang and played piano throughout his childhood. Todd is a National Board Certified Teachers and an alumnus of Murray State where he earned a B. A. in Music, M. A. in Education, and met his wife. He began his career teaching K – 5 general music for two years in Vail, CO, while he was on a singing ski team during the weekends. Todd taught 5th - 8th grade general music and choir for 15 years at Sayre School in Lexington, KY, and has taught K – 5 general music at East Calloway Elementary for 12 years. He loves to cook, travel, dance, and piddle around in the yard whenever he gets the chance. Todd lives in Murray with his wife and their cat, Cedric. Their daughter, Ella, is a graduate student at University of Cambridge.
Chris Trzepacz
Faculty
TMost of my students call me Dr.T. I hold a BS in Microbiology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a PhD in cell and molecular genetics from the University of Cincinnati Medical School, and I currently serve as an Assistant Professor position in the Department of Biological Sciences at Murray State University. I teach the introductory biology course for biology majors, as well as upper level courses in cell biology and immunology. My research lab at Murray State explores the conserved mechanisms that regulate fertility in animals. In my spare time I enjoy reading, playing guitar, competing in trivia, and churning handcrafted ice cream.
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.
Matthew Callahan
Activities Coordinator
Matthew Callahan is a 2025 graduate of Murray State University who is now a high school English teacher. They will be starting graduate school in the Fall as a student in the Murray State Masters and Doctorate of the Arts in English Pedagogy program. Matthew is excited to take on the new role of being the Activities Coordinator in their fifth year with the program, after having served as an RC for the past four years.
Tate Cain
Photographer and Social Media Manager
I'm a rising sophomore at the University of Kentucky studying Public Policy, Leadership for Community Education and Human Learning, and Integrated Strategic Communications on the pre-law track. Outside of academics, I am involved in student government, Collegiate DECA, the UK Philharmonia, and Bridge USA. I enjoy playing the violin, biking, studying politics, and watching Disney movies! I can't wait to highlight all of the incredible moments we create this summer--let's make it unforgettable!
Abbey Brown
Residential Counselor
Hi everyone! This will be my second year working as a Residential Counselor at CHA. I’m originally from Marshall County, Kentucky, and I’m currently a sophomore at Murray State University majoring in Sociology with a minor in Gender & Diversity Studies. When I’m not at school or work, you can usually find me spending time outdoors, getting creative with arts and crafts, thrifting, listening to music, or hanging out with my friends and family. I am already so excited for CHA 2026 and can’t wait to meet everyone. It’s going to be a magical summer!
Chris Cummins
Residential Counselor
Hey guys! I am very excited to meet you all and help push you during your time at CHA. As a former CHA student, I remember the experiences that pushed me to be who I am today, and cannot wait to help others develop this summer. Since this is my first year as a Residential Counselor, I will also be trying new things and getting out of my comfort zone alongside all the students. As a student that is very involved here at Murray State, I am also looking forward to sharing how great of a community Murray has to offer. See you all this summer!
Sam Harless
Residential Counselor
Hi! I am a junior majoring in Organizational Communication and Middle School Education here at Murray State University. I am actively involved in the speech and debate union, where I enjoy competing and helping foster a strong community of student advocates. I am also involved with the Murray Catholic Newman Center, which has been an important part of my college experience and personal growth.
Cora Pendley
Residential Counselor
Hi, I'm a Sustainable Horticulture major here at Murray State University. I am from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and attended CHA in 2024. I love nature, a good long hike, and a cup of tea. I am a frequent attendee of the MSU botany club, MSU horticulture club, Murray Art Guild, A Place to Be Secretary, and Land Between the Lakes. I am a student worker at the Arboretum and Greenhouse! I'm also in the Honors College and am an Honors College Ambassador.
Essabella Voss
Residential Counselor
Hey, I'm Bella! I am a criminal justice major here at Murray state. I love music, movies, video games, hiking, and pretty much anything with friends. I'm super pumped for this year's CHA and I can't wait to see what this summer has in store!
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