Faculty
Ben Batzer
Ben (’08) teaches English at Truman State University during the school year. When he is not reading or travelling, he enjoys hiking, bird watching, gardening, and watching sunsets on his family’s farm in southern Missouri.
Jenny Blank
Jenny Blank is a middle school gifted teacher in the School District of Clayton near St. Louis. A scholar in 2006, Jenny returned to MSA as an RA in 2009-2010 and has been a member of the MSA staff team in various roles since 2019. Jenny is the St. Louis regional director for the Gifted Association of Missouri and has been a presenter at numerous conferences. Jenny’s favorite pastimes include trivia, board games, escape rooms, puzzling events, & cosplaying as her favorite Disney characters.
Elise Broaddus
Elise Broaddus teaches English at MU, after (finally) finishing her dissertation on medieval letter-writing manuals. She teaches and reads about rhetoric, classical reception, textiles, and medieval astrology. Outside of the classroom, she knits, gardens, thrifts, watches birds and far too much television.
Tina Casagrand
Tina Casagrand Foss (she/her) is a magazine publisher, journalist, artist, teacher and literary party MC. Since founding The New Territory magazine in 2016, she has collaborated with more than 450 writers, artists and editors from the Lower Midwest. A graduate of University of Missouri, she lives in Jefferson City, MO with her spouse, two stepdaughters, and giant dog. She joined MSA as a 2016 scholar, a 2012-14 RA and service coordinator, and faculty member since 2015.
Frank Corley
Frank has been on the faculty of Missouri Scholars Academy since 1992. Besides his incredible wife Teresa and his seven amazing children, it has been the most powerful force in his life. Frank likes to think of himself as a pretty serious math nerd, but also enjoys woodworking, beekeeping, poetry, photography, and art. Frank lives and teaches in St. Louis where he was born and raised; Frank has never really grown up.
Kristofferson Culmer
Kristofferson Culmer is a teaching professor in the Information Technology Program and Director of the Autonomous Systems Lab in the Department of Engineering & Information Technology, in the College of Engineering at the University of Missouri – Columbia. Kristofferson is returning to the MSA faculty for the fourth time this year. Kristofferson was born and raised in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and loves outdoor activities like running, hiking, cycling; and also teaches Latin dancing in his spare time.
Stephanie Hasty
I grew up in Mansfield, Missouri. My experiences have helped me with my identity as a biracial woman thriving in Southwest and Central Missouri. Our identity and place in the world help us determine where we are going. Growing up as a biracial woman in Southern Missouri and my perspective as a mother to a daughter adds layers and voice to my journey. We are all on journeys and we all have stories to tell. I believe civil discourse is the foundation in communicating our experiences.
Jordan Henson
Jordan Henson got his first taste of MSA magic when he attended as a scholar in 2010, and hasn’t been able to get enough of it ever since. He has worked with MSA as an RA from 2013-2015, and as a faculty member from 2016 to the present. When he’s not at MSA, he is a high school English teacher and scholar bowl coach at Kearney High School in Kearney, Missouri. He also enjoys playing games of the board/card/video variety and aspires to one day be a trivia game show champion.
Chris Holmes
Raised in a small, northeast Missouri town (Canton), Chris Holmes now resides in St. Louis, where he facilitates gifted education courses in the Clayton School District. Narrative nonfiction is him jam. Chris holds graduate degrees in Gifted Education and Educational Psychology, and this will be his 10th year as MSA faculty. He treasures family, friends, wondering, and wandering.
Mike Kersulov
Mike Kersulov is a native of St. Louis, returning for his 17th year teaching at MSA. He obtained his BSE and MA in English at the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg and his Ph.D. in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education at Indiana University, Bloomington. Mike teaches high school English in Springfield, NE, and he spends most of his time reading comics and playing with his cats. He also is thoroughly convinced Spider-Man is the greatest literary achievement in American history.
RJ Koscielniak
Dr. RJ Koscielniak lives in Detroit, MI. He is currently an Associate Professor at Eastern Michigan University. He loves to hike, write (he’s working on a novel!), and talk about urban decline, land, and our environment. RJ grew up in St. Louis but resisted Cardinals fandom (GO BLUES!). This is his third year as MSA faculty, and he worked as an RA (06-08). He completed his BA at Mizzou (2008), Masters at WUSTL, and PhD at Michigan. He likes really long movies and he takes care of two large cats.
Megan Lilien
Megan Lilien is a high school science teacher in Columbia, Missouri. She earned a BS in Biology from the University of Illinois and a MA in Teaching and Learning from Point Loma University and her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at Mizzou. Outside of work and school, she enjoys spending time with her three daughters, coaching girls’ lacrosse, traveling, watching sports (mostly her kid’s teams), being outdoors, and taking a good nap.
Michael Limmer
Michael Limmer grew up in Florissant, Missouri, just north of St. Louis, where he nurtured a love for history, music, and film. He received undergraduate degrees from St. Louis Community College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and is currently a PhD candidate in History at the University of Missouri. As a second-year MSA faculty member, Michael looks forward to another summer challenging scholars to reconsider why history matters in our everyday lives.
Matthew Matheney
Matthew is an educator dedicated to creating a school community where individuals can find the intersection of their talents and the needs of the world’ a dream that began when he attended the academy (’10). During the school year, Matthew teaches at Hickman High School in Columbia, MO, and spends his time making that dream into reality. Outside of education, you will find him pursuing a number of interests: Tae Kwon-Do, designing board games, writing poetry, and fishing.
Austin McWilliams
Austin McWilliams is a musician from Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He lives in Salt Lake City and is the Chorus Director & Opera Assistant Conductor for Utah Symphony | Utah Opera. Previously he taught at Aquinas College and Western Michigan University. Austin has attended MSA as a scholar (’11), RA (’17), and faculty member (’18, ’26). He holds degrees in computer engineering and choral conducting, and he enjoys exploring their intersection each June with like-minded nerds.
Sabrina Michael
Sabrina Michael is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Mizzou and a passionate biologist who loves exploring the natural world, especially the overlooked parts of it. This is her 3rd summer at MSA as faculty. She earned her PhD from the University of Missouri in 2023, where she studied the collective behavior and communication of treehoppers. When she’s not teaching or doing science, she’s probably scuba diving with sharks, training jiu-jitsu, or outside flipping rocks looking for bugs.
Caitlin Palmer
Caitlin is a writer, traveler, and instructor at the University of Missouri, and is back for Year 4 teaching at MSA! She loves checking out local Missouri water holes, is almost done with a novel, and is the one human her cat Penny can stand. She participates in contemporary dance, has publications online, and thinks how words and stories affect the human brain may just change how you see the world – and yourself.
Sam Rayburn
Sam is an educator, illustrator, and advocate with a passion for combining science, art, and logic in the classroom. Described by friends as “indecisive,” Sam teaches biology, chemistry, drama, computer science, and visual arts. This year, Sam returns to MSA for the 10th time after having been a scholar, RA, programs/office staff, and faculty. When not at MSA, Sam makes comics, designs puzzles, plays games, creates lists, and listens to the showtunes on repeat with his partner and pets.
Kelsey Tolchin-Kupferer
Kelsey Tolchin-Kupferer is a teacher and audio producer from Columbia, Missouri with more than a decade of experience introducing young people to public radio journalism. She teaches nonfiction audio storytelling courses at the University of Vermont and leads an internship program at Vermont Public. Previously, Kelsey led youth media programs at KBIA, KUOW, and the True/False Film Fest. Kelsey was an MSA RA in 2014, and she’s stoked to be back.
Staff
Rachel Harper – Associate Dean, Honors College, Co-Director MSA
Rachel Harper spent her kiddo years in Champaign, Illinois, where she exhibited strong preferences for books, libraries, the smell of old books, the smell of new books, the written word, etymologies, and well, you get the picture. She has a BA in English and Spanish from Illinois Wesleyan University and a PhD in American Literature from the University of Missouri. She has been teaching at MU and in the Honors College for almost 30 years and has been helping direct MSA since 2018.
Steve Keller – Co-Director
Steve Keller grew up in the great Pacific Northwest and graduated from Pacific Lutheran University (BSc) and the University of California-Berkeley (PhD). Steve has been on the faculty of the Department of Chemistry at MU since 1995 where he currently serves as Associate Professor, Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies, and since 2015 director of the Missouri Scholars Academy. Steve’s time away from campus is focused on being husband to Amanda and dad/Uber driver to Lindsay (14) and Liam (7), brewing some beer, and watching a bit of soccer.
Doug Valentine – Co-Director
Doug Valentine earned his PhD in sociology and his MA in religious studies, both from the University of Missouri. His research and teaching interests include sociology of the body, death & dying, the sociology of education, and the sociology of religion. He has taught numerous courses in general honors, sociology, and religious studies at Mizzou. He is an avid runner and Chicago sports fan (other than the White Sox).
Brian Stuhlman – Programmer/Faculty
Brian Stuhlman is a 1993 scholar who returned as a teacher (2000-2002; 2007 to present) and programmer (2015-present). Brian is Coordinator of Middle School Programs at Mizzou Academy, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice with Mizzou’s College of Education and Human Development, husband and father, and avid fan of traveling, sweepstaking and the Muppets. His jams are curiosity, joie d’vivre, and learning alongside learners!
Sami Overby – Program/Project Support Coordinator II
Sami Overby has worked at the University of Missouri since 2023 and joined MSA in October 2025 as the program coordinator. He is proud to help facilitate this incredible educational and developmental experience for Missouri’s high school students from behind the scenes. Sami also conducts biometeorology research at Mizzou as a part-time graduate student. His interests include gardening, exploring midwestern wilderness, appreciating art and media, and watching wildlife, especially birds.
Grace Sullentrup – Coordinator of Resident Life
Grace (MSA ’14, RA ’18-’19, ’22, CRL ’23-’25) grew up in Washington, MO and now lives in St. Louis. She has a BS in Sociology and Psychology from Missouri State University and an MSW from Washington University in St. Louis. Outside of MSA, she works in secondary school social work and coaches color guard. Grace enjoys reading fiction, watching as many Best Picture nominations as possible, teaching herself to embroider, and doing yoga
Colin Wilburn – Coordinator of Resident Life
Colin Wilburn (MSA ’18, RA ’22, ’23, CRL ’24, ’25) is from Laddonia, MO and graduated from Van-Far High School. He is in his second year teaching high school science after graduating from Mizzou with a degree in Biochemistry. This will be his third year as a Coordinator of Residential Life, so he is excited to share memories, laughs, and memes with scholars, RAs, and faculty.
Megan Baker – Head office Staff
Megan is a sorority house director here at MU. She enjoys reading, watching theatrical plays, and serving her community. She is an alumnae of the University of Central Missouri where she studied Communication and received a Dale Carnegie speaking certificate. She is excited for her first year with MSA and hopes to be a smiling face to all!
Doc Holliday – Mental Health Counselor
Doc Holliday works closely with MSA faculty and staff to support optimal scholar mental health throughout the three week experience. He is a licensed psychologist, retired from the University of Missouri, and a long-time contributer to the Academy.
Resident Assistants
Alice Briggs
Alice is a rising sophomore at Mizzou majoring in International Studies, Spanish, and Constitutional Democracy, with plans to go to law school in the future. She attended the academy in 2023 and is thrilled to be returning for the first time as an RA! Outside of her studies, Alice loves weird niche theater, folk music, and tiny bookshops.
Jason Burden
Jason (MSA ’22, RA ’26) is a rising junior at the University of Virginia majoring in psychology and minoring in public policy, with plans to pursue a PhD in psychology after completing his undergraduate degree. This is his first year serving as an RA at MSA, and he is excited to be back after attending as a scholar in 2022. In his free time, Jason enjoys playing and watching sports (especially baseball and football) and going out to eat with friends.
Ever Cole
Ever (MSA ’19, RA ’23, ’25, ’26, Social Media & Photographer ’24, ’25) has worn many hats during her involvement with the Academy, but she is excited to put all her energy into returning as an RA this summer! After spending her last semester of grad school in New York, she received her M.A. in Journalism from the University of Missouri in May. In her free time, she can be found at the thrift store or record shop, usually with her earbuds in.
Connor Copanas
Connor is a critical consciousness enthusiast from St. Louis, Missouri. He currently teaches American History at Sumner High School and lives with his long time best friends. His hobbies include collecting physical media that he won’t consume for at least 5 years, any game that can be played with cards or a board, and eating his way through every diner, drive-in, and dive in the STL area (he rejects the word “foodie”). Connor was a scholar in 2018, an RA in ’24 and ’25, and is hyped to return!
Andrew Crouch
Andrew is a Mizzou and MSA Alum (2018) who has previously been an RA ( 2024). He is a geologist by training with emphasis in paleontology, and is always happy to talk about his research or just nerd out about science. He loves his STL and Mizzou sports teams but is content to watch or talk about anything sports related.
Jack Funke
Jack Funke is an undergraduate student at the University of Missouri, majoring in Constitutional Democracy and Economics. He hopes get a job in public service after he graduates. Jack attended MSA in the summer of 2023 and had a great time; so great, in fact, that he wanted to come back and help new scholars do the same.
Isaac Gaono
Isaac is junior at Missouri S&T and is pursuing Aerospace Engineering. This is his first time at the academy, and he’s thrilled to experience the magic of MSA! In his free time, he enjoys watching TV, weightlifting, playing video games, and listening to music.
Anneka Johnson
Anneka’s first MSA was as an RA in 2025, and by MSA ’26 she will have graduated Mizzou with bachelor’s degrees in Middle School Education and English. Outside of student teaching, you might find them reading, writing, roller skating, playing Stardew Valley, and watching Supernatural, all while drinking excessive amounts of coffee. She can’t wait to spend one more summer in Columbia before going home to Kansas City!
Maya Jury
Maya (MSA ’22) from Wildwood, MO, is a rising junior at MU pursuing a major in Psychology, with minors in Biology and Human Development and Family Science, and certificates in Multicultural Studies and Addiction Studies. Outside of academics, Maya enjoys crafting, especially making beaded jewelry, and loves music. She is also a BIG fan of The Big Bang Theory.
Kayla Marker
Kayla Marker (MSA ’22) is a sophomore at Truman State University. She is pursuing a BA in English, with hopes to become a high school English teacher in her hometown of Blue Springs. She plays bassoon for Truman’s band and orchestra and bass guitar for the jazz band, and is a member of a women’s music fraternity. In her free time, you can find her at a thrift store, in the kitchen, or on the couch watching Survivor.
Cece Marks
Cecelia Marks is from Union, MO and studies Music Production at Southeast Missouri State University. As a former ’22 scholar, she is ecstatic to share the magic of MSA as a first-year Resident Assistant. In their free time you can find them producing some (hopefully) sick beats, in a music shop, or thrifting and mending clothes!
Zoe Oaks
Zip, Zap Zoe! Zoe is an avid frog and mushroom lover, the caring mother of a number of house plants, and loves some good heavy metal. Zoe is studying computer science and psychology at S&T and as a 2022 MSA attendee, she is so excited to be an RA for this years scholar academy. She is always smiling and is always giving out free hugs, so be sure to say hi!
Abby Palmer
Abby Palmer is a rising junior at Saint Louis University, double majoring in English and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. She was a scholar in 2022 and is excited to come back to the academy as an RA! In her free time she loves attending concerts, reading, traveling, and hiking with her friends.
Bethany Perry
Bethany (MSA ’22) is from Bowling Green, MO, and is entering her last year at the University of Missouri, where she is studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Outside of classes, Bethany works at a prom store and runs her own photography business. She also loves to read, eat ice cream, golf, and go on runs. She is currently training to run a half-marathon!
Cassandra Plummer
Cassandra (MSA ’22, RA ’25) is an upcoming junior at Vanderbilt University, studying Political Science on the Pre-Law track. She is excited to come back to MSA, and meet all the new 2026 scholars! In her free time, she loves spending time with her cat Cleo, reading on her kindle, and spending time in the sun.
JJ Robeck
JJ is a junior at the University of Chicago majoring in Linguistics and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations on the pre-law track. This will be JJ’s third year as an RA at MSA, and fifth year at MSA overall after attending as a scholar in 2021 and 2022. In his free time you can find him collecting vintage postcards and miscellaneous trinkets, dabbling in foreign languages, and playing the marimba.
Konnor Turner
Konnor was a 2019 Scholar, and a 2024 RA! He studied International Relations at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Konnor also studied abroad in Norway, studying European identity! He is so excited to return to the academy for a third time.
Cailan Wooten
Cailan Wooten (MSA ’22!) is a first-time RA. She is originally from St. Louis and currently attends the University of Toronto as a (very tired) second-year student. She is pursuing a double major in Sociology and Statistics, with a minor in Education. In her free time, you can find her reading, playing video games, and baking!