Much of Mark’s passion for education stems from his almost eight years as President of The Classical Academy (TCA) and from his service as a senior leader in the United States Air Force. From June 2002 until leaving for CSI, Mark was President of TCA, the largest family of K-12 “brick and mortar” public charter schools in Colorado with just under 4500 students, staff, and faculty. TCA included three elementary schools, junior and senior high schools, K-8 home school, and College Pathways secondary school. His experience deepened his dedication to preparing all children to be college or workforce ready and his commitment to helping them become citizens of character. Mark’s 29 year career in the United States Air Force helped lay the foundation he used to elevate TCA and CSI to success. After graduating from the United States Air Force (USAF) Academy with a bachelor of science degree in Political Science, he later earned a master’s in Public Administration from Arizona State University. Mark was an Air Force fighter pilot and served nine years overseas in combat units. He commanded a frontline fighter squadron in Europe with 350 personnel and $600 million in aircraft and equipment. Mid-career, he became Director of Honor and Ethics at the USAF Academy and later served at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. as advisor to the Secretary of Defense on command and control issues. He was also Vice Commandant of the USAF Academy. Before becoming President of TCA, he served for six years as the Director of the Center for Character Development at the USAF Academy. His Center developed, taught, and administered character education and training programs for 4,300 college students in ethical decision-making, student honor system, diversity, gender, racial, and religious tolerance. He oversaw the alcohol, drug, and substance abuse prevention program, while also being responsible for community service activities, character assessment, research, and experiential learning. Lastly, he integrated character education across student life, including 21 academic departments and 27 NCAA athletic teams. Earlier in the decade, he served as the President of the Center for Academic Integrity at Duke University for two years. In 2000, he received the Citizenship and Character Award from former President Gerald Ford for his leadership of the cutting edge character development program at the USAF Academy. The John Templeton Foundation also recognized his Center as one of the top character-building programs in the nation. CEP named TCA a National School of Character in 2004. Mark’s recent articles:
Mark Hyatt
President & CEO
Mark Hyatt is President and CEO of the Character Education Partnership (CEP). He leads the national effort to “help parents and schools develop students of good character for a just and compassionate society.” Prior to coming to CEP, Mark was Executive Director of the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI). Under his leadership CSI grew 50% to more than 10,500 students at 36 locations statewide in its portfolio of schools. Mark led CSI’s first strategic planning effort to transform CSI into a “model authorizer” for the state and nation. He also served on the Colorado Governors P-20 Education Counsel on school reform. view moreVideos
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Joseph W. Mazzola
Vice President
Joe Mazzola came to CEP in August of 2006, following nearly thee years as Director of the Center for Character Development at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He holds a master’s degree in education from George Washington University, a master’s in public administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of West Florida. He is married to the former Laura DeJohn, and they havea daughter and two sons. Joe was appointed CEP’s Vice President on January 1, 2012.
Rebecca Sipos
Chief Operating Officer
Becky Sipos became chief operating officer at CEP after serving for five years as director of communications. She joined the organization in February of 2007. She coordinates the National Forum on Character Education and directs various writing projects. Prior to starting at CEP, Becky, a reading specialist, taught English and journalism for more than 30 years. At her last school, she directed various character education programs that led her school to recognition as a National School of Character finalist. She also has worked as a news reporter, freelance writer and editor. Becky has received numerous awards, including Teacher of the Year, Thomas Jefferson Award for Lifetime Achievement, and the Journalism Education Association’s Medal of Merit. Becky holds a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, as well as a bachelor degree in English from Drake University. She serves on the advisory board of the Center for Scholastic Journalism at Kent State University. She is married to Larry Sipos, and they have two grown children and four grandchildren.
Dr. Russ Sojourner
Director, Leadership Development
Dr. Russ Sojourner has a BS in Behavioral Science, and MS in Industrial Engineering, and a PhD in Psychology. After graduating from the United States Air Force Academy, Russ served in the Air Force for 20 years, having completed two tours of duty at the Academy as an Instructor, Assistant Professor, and Associate Professor in the Department of Behavioral Science and Leadership, where he taught courses in Behavioral Science, Human Factors, Aviation Psychology, and Marriage and Family. Russ also served in the Academy’s Center for Character Development, where he was in charge of character and leadership development for the 4400 member cadet wing. Upon retiring from the Air Force in 2004, Russ became an Assistant Principal and Director of Character Education and Development at The Classical Academy (TCA), a National School of Character and the largest charter school in the state of Colorado. Russ spent the last seven years as TCA’s Junior High Principal, and he was recently honored as the Titan of the Year, TCA’s most prestigious annual award. Russ has devoted most of his professional life to educating and developing character in our nation’s youth, and he passionately believes in the power of role modeling, building strong relationships, positive peer pressure, and parents who are committed to developing ethical behavior in their children.
Lara Maupin
Director, National Schools of Character
Lara Maupin has been at CEP since 2006. She directs the National Schools of Character (NSOC) program, coordinating the nationwide review of State and National Schools of Character applications in cooperation with State Schools of Character sponsors in 30 states. She assists schools and districts selected as NSOC in their efforts to provide outreach to other schools and share their stories of success and transformation. She also oversees the Promising Practices program managed by Lisa Greeves, as well as the publication of CEP’s annual NSOC book. Prior to CEP, Lara was a high school social studies teacher and student government adviser, as well as a freelance curriculum writer and community health educator. Lara holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and philosophy from Mount Holyoke College and a master’s in secondary social studies instruction from George Washington University. She is the proud mother of three children attending public schools.
Barbara Luther
Director, Professional Development
Barbara Luther provides quality trainings to K-12 schools nationally and internationally to improve school cultures and to advance the school transformation process. She conducts highly interactive, adult-focused trainings on character development and social-emotional learning skills which provide invaluable tools to educators as they build safe, thriving school environments. Before joining CEP, Barbara was the character education teacher-leader at her school, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, which was recognized as a National School of Character. Barbara has received numerous leadership and service awards including, Teacher of the Year and Community of Caring’s National Leadership Award. In Nov., 2009, she received the George Washington Honor Medal from Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge. Barbara earned an MA equivalent degree in MD with studies at University of Maryland and Gallaudet University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in education at Northern Illinois University.
Janet Stump
Director of Advancement, Membership and Partnerships
With twenty-six years of advancement experience, Jan understands the crucial role of mission-driven fund development in building sustainable and flourishing non-profit organizations. She started the development program at Grace Christian School in Anchorage, Alaska and through her twelve year tenure led the department’s growth from the inception of an annual fund through the successful completion of a major capital campaign to build a high school and fine arts facility. For nine years, Jan served as the Director of Development and Public Relations for the Association of Christian Schools International, an association of over 5500 member schools worldwide. Not only did she raise funds for the association, oversee membership marketing, establish a philanthropic foundation, and institute a national corporate partnership program, she assisted hundreds of schools in furthering their advancement efforts. She is a frequent presenter at conferences and conventions throughout the US and in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Most recently, Jan established a successful advancement effort at The Classical Academy, a charter school with over 3600 students on three campuses in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and holds a master’s degree in literature from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She is a member of the Council for Advancement in Support of Education.
Dr. David Keller
Director of Transformation and Strategic Initiatives
Dave Keller is our Director of Transformation and Strategic Initiatives, leading efforts to expand CEP’s impact through many exciting new endeavors. Dave came to CEP following a noteworthy 20+ year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he directed all cadet character and leadership programs at the Air Force Academy, including 120 annual seminars and the Academy’s acclaimed 2-day National Character & Leadership Symposium. Dave led many of the Academy’s organizational culture/climate change efforts, to include guiding the nation’s largest collegiate peer education cohort, championing gender equality issues, and managing licensed counselors at the Academy’s counseling center. In 2009-2010, Dave served as the senior U.S. advisor to the Iraqi Air Force Academy in Baghdad, working side-by-side with Iraqi leaders to rebuild the Iraqi military. He later guided the efforts of U.S. Air Force personnel across 7 locations in Iraq, and was one of the principle authors of the initial U.S. drawdown strategic plan. Dave is a popular and engaging classroom instructor, having taught leadership and character development courses for both the Air Force Academy and Texas A&M University. He holds an undergraduate degree in Human Behavior & Leadership from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and a Master’s in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology from St Mary’s University in San Antonio. Dave earned his Ph.D. from Texas A&M, where his primary research focused on moral and ethical development of leaders.
Bryan Eddins
Accounting Manager Bryan W. Eddins is CEP’s accountant and joined CEP in 2008. He handles all financial reporting, which includes project costs and budgets, payroll, benefit programs, accounts payable and receivable, and financial accounts. Prior to joining CEP, he was a staff accountant with National Emergency Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. He was previously responsible for the accounting with the following organizations in Washington, DC: Health Risk Management Group, Health and Environmental Sciences Group, Wireless Technology Research, LLC, Breast Implant Public Health Project, LLC, Sports Support Enterprises, The Science and Public Policy Institute, and The Carlo Institute. Bryan holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from North Carolina State University.
Iris Wyatt
Webmaster & IT Coordinator
Iris Wyatt returned to CEP in July of 2007. She previously worked at CEP from 2001 to 2005. Iris overseas CEP’s website and formats and distributes the Essential Character electronic newsletter each month. She has 20 years of experience providing field service and technical support to a variety of companies and holds an associate of arts degree from the University of the District of Columbia in advertising design.
Megan Jones
Senior Administrator
Megan Jones joined CEP in 2011 as the Senior Administrator, after four years as the Assistant Production Manager/Stage Manager at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University. Her two Bachelors degrees come from GMU, where she studied Theatre and Government & International Politics. Megan’s primary responsibilities include keeping the office running, but she supports all the directors as they put together the annual Forum, National Schools of Character program, and other exciting endeavors. Outside of work, Megan enjoys traveling (especially planning the next trip!), playing with her dog, and singing in her church choir.
Sora Wondra
Advancement Coordinator
Sora Wondra joined CEP in 2013 after several months of volunteering and conducting legislative research on character education. She assists with CEP’s development and advancement efforts. Prior to joining CEP, Sora taught psychology to gifted and talented students in the U.S. and also lived abroad in the Republic of Georgia, where she taught English as a Foreign Language and conducted research on educational reform. She has an M.Phil. in Education from the University of Cambridge and a B.A. in Psychology from Coe College. Sora is a member of the Pi Lambda Theta Education Society, has been a Cambridge Overseas Trust Scholar, and is a recipient of the Linnie E. Schloeman Prize in Teacher Education Excellence at Coe College. When she’s not working or otherwise supporting the efforts of educational improvement, Sora enjoys backpacking and mountaineering with her husband, Nic Wondra.
Sweta Haldar
Education and Research Fellow
Sweta recently graduated from Princeton University with a degree in public and international affairs. At Princeton, Sweta was involved with the student-run American Foreign Policy magazine, the campus chapter of the Roosevelt Institute think tank and the interfaith Religious Life Council. Sweta’s interest in CEP emerges from her belief that the cultivation of character has an ignored but potentially crucial role to play in resolving the achievement gap. Her particular interests include harnessing the power of blogging and new media in the service of positive social change.
