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
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
Director of Communications
Becky Sipos is director of communications at CEP and 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.
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
Associate Director, Professional Development
Barbara Luther serves as the associate director of professional development and has enjoyed long-term affiliation with CEP. Previously she served as senior consultant, developing and providing professional development for K-12 faculties in many schools, systems and states around the country. Her initial training in character education in 1998 precipitated her chairing her school’s steering committee and spearheading the school’s character education initiative. Subsequently, her school, Eleanor Roosevelt High School was recognized as a National School of Character in 2002. Barbara has received numerous 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.
Iris Wyatt
Database Manager
Iris Wyatt returned to CEP in July of 2007. She previously worked at CEP from 2001 to 2005. Iris manages CEP’s database and membership activities. She formats and distributes the Essential Character electronic newsletter each month. And she monitors the website and updates copy as needed. 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.
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.
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.
Katie Hood
Web Content Coordinator
Katie Hood is CEP’s web content coordinator. A New Jersey native, Katie has served educational institutions in a variety of communication and marketing related roles, including the Galloway Township (NJ) Public School district and Rowan University (Glassboro, NJ.) At CEP, she is responsible for social media interactions, web site development, and crafting news releases for various audiences. She was an active member of several groups at Rowan, including Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority, the Peer Referral and Orientation Staff (which she went on to lead as a graduate assistant), and Rowan Television Network. Katie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public relations from Rowan, with a certificate of graduate study in school public relations. Her research conducted as part of her thesis, “Character Education and Parental Involvement: Impact on Academic Achievement,” is what led her to join the Character Education Partnership.
Carol Dreibelbis
Education & Research Fellow
Carol Dreibelbis is an Education and Research Fellow at CEP. Carol recently graduated from Princeton University with a major in anthropology and a minor in environmental studies. Carol was heavily involved with sustainability efforts as a leader of the organization Greening Princeton while in college; additionally, she played the flute in the Princeton University Band. Due to her curricular and extracurricular projects in college, Carol understands firsthand the important influence that culture has on behavior and believes in the holistic approach that CEP takes to character education.
Sarah Twardock
Education & Research Fellow
Sarah joined the CEP team as part of the Princeton AlumniCorps Project 55 Fellowship Program. Before becoming a fellow, she received a bachelor’s degree in English from Princeton University, where she volunteered for the pediatric oncology division of the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital and worked with autistic youth at the Eden Institute. She has also served as a Branch Manager and SAT Prep tutor for Ivy Insiders, and she researched and assisted with English as a Second Language classes as the Student Research Intern in Language and Literacy for the Princeton YWCA ESL program. Sarah hopes to continue her work and studies in the field of children’s health and development.