Joseph W. Mazzola
Executive Director
jmazzola@character.org
Joe Mazzola is CEP’s executive director and CEO. He was appointed to the post by the board of directors in August of 2006. Prior to his arrival at CEP, he was Director of the Center for Character Development at the U. S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. As CEP’s executive director, he is responsible for managing the staff and budget, carrying out all programs and polices prescribed by the Board, setting operational priorities and ensuring that CEP achieves its overall mission. Joe served in the military for over 25 years where he served in Europe, the Pacific, and throughout the country. He was a commanding officer at several different levels. His awards include The Bronze Star, two Legion of Merit medals and seven Meritorious Service medals. Joe holds a graduate degree in education from The George Washington University, a graduate degree 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. They have three children—Jonathan, Jason and Marissa
Janice Stoodley
Director of National Schools of Character
jstoodley@character.org
Janice Stoodley is program director for the National Schools of Character (NSOC) awards, CEP’s flagship program, which recognizes 10 schools and districts annually for exemplary work in character education. She manages the selection process for NSOC, as well as expansion of the program to include State Schools of Character, as a preliminary step to the national competition. She consults on the publication of CEP’s annual NSOC book, which highlights the work of award winners. She also presents regularly at national conferences along with administrators from NSOC schools and districts. Janice has been a character education practitioner, high school assistant principal, a district coordinator of substance abuse prevention, and a high school and middle school guidance director, counselor, and English teacher. She holds a master’s degree in education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and a bachelor’s degree in English from Mary Washington College.
Rebecca Sipos
Director of Communications
rsipos@character.org
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 and 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.
John Glover
Director of Resource Development
jglover@character.org
John has over 35 years as a development professional and manager and has served as: vice president of resource development, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; chief development officer, National Council of Negro Women; director of resource development and corporate relations, National Association of Black Accountants; executive vice president, Jarvis Christian College; executive vice president, Tougaloo College; regional vice president, United Negro College Fund and as executive director of development/endowment for the Center for Excellence in Education. John received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Livingstone College and did graduate studies at the Hunter College School of Social Work in Manhattan, NY. John is married to Beverly Glover and has 2 grown sons--Scott and Keith.
Barbara Luther
Associate Director, Professional Development
bluther@character.org
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. She has served as a site visitor for Character Education Partnership’s National Schools of Character (NSOC) awards program for the past 7 years as well as coordinating the MD State Schools of Character (SSOC) initiative from 2006-2009. Before this time, Barbara was a special needs classroom teacher in elementary, middle, and high school for over three decades. 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.
Lara Maupin
Associate Director NSOC
lmaupin@character.org
Lara Maupin has been at CEP since 2006. She works closely with Janice Stoodley, assisting with the review of NSOC applications and the selection and visitation of award finalists. She coordinates the NSOC Promising Practices awards program, 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. 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.
Iris Wyatt
Database Manager
iwyatt@character.org
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
beddins@character.org
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.
Michael Shreve
Research and Education Fellow
mshreve@character.org
Michael Shreve is a research and education fellow and assists with the planning and delivery of CEP's professional development initiatives. He graduated from Connecticut College in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in Human Development. Michael has deferred admission at Harvard's Graduate School of Education for one year to continue working at CEP. He sought a position at CEP because of his interest in the relationship between character development and American public education.
Melissa Reilly
Coordinator of Executive Support
mreilly@character.org
Melissa Reilly is coordinator of executive support. She graduated from the College of William and Mary in December of 2007 with a bachelor's degree in music and linguistics. Before that she attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax, VA. Melissa has worked at various times as a park ranger, office assistant, cashier, and house manager. After studying abroad in Sicily and going on a relief trip to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, she became interested in international non-profit work.
Mai Hinton
Community Outreach and Research Associate
mhinton@character.org
Mai Hinton graduated from Princeton University in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in biology. She worked for a public charter school in Sacramento, CA, as a teacher’s assistant and parent liaison for a year before joining CEP in the summer of 2009. She has been active in the non-profit sector since high school, volunteering weekly with local organizations in her hometown of Plano, TX and later in Princeton, NJ. Mai plans to pursue a graduate degree in public policy in the future.
Yetta Joy Ziolkowski
Staff Associate
yziolkowski@character.org
Yetta Ziolkowski graduated from Princeton University in June 2009 with a degree in international affairs and public policy. Her interests there included the Middle East, Italian, and education issues. Before that, she attended the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales. During the past three summers she interned with Save the Children in New Orleans, at the US Consulate in Milan, and she studied Portuguese in Porto. She is thrilled to be working at CEP as an associate.
